After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
can I go home with you?
Tell your mama and your daddy,
that I'm a little schoolboy too
Baby I love you,
I just can't help help myself
You're so good looking pretty babe,
Good morning little schoolgirl,
can I go home with you?
Uh, Uh, Uh
I'm gonna leave you baby,
about the break of day
On account of the way you treat me,
I've got to stay away
A good morning little schoolgirl,
can I go home with you?
Tell your mama and your daddy,
that I'm a little schoolboy too
Come on pretty baby,
oh you know I can't help myself
Uh, Uh, Uh
I'm gonna buy me an aeroplane,
to fly all over your town.
And tell everybody baby,
Lord knows you've been putting me down.
I can't stand it babe,
just cannot help myself
You're so young and pretty,
but you're lovin' somebody else
A good morning little schoolgirl,
can I go home with you?
Uh, uh, uh
Oh babe what you do to me,
I can't help myself
The song “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” by Taj Mahal is a blues classic that speaks about a young boy who has fallen for a young girl and is trying to woo her. The song revolves around the premise of a “little schoolboy” asking a “little schoolgirl” if he can go home with her. The lyrics start by asking the girl’s permission to accompany her, and this subtle approach could have stemmed from the fact that the schoolboy knows he is too young to make an outright move. He further requests the girl to tell her parents that he is a little schoolboy too, probably trying to show her how good a match they are. Throughout the song, the boy repeatedly professes his love to the girl and talks about how good-looking she is.
The song has a bluesy tone, and Taj Mahal's soulful voice, accompanied by the harmonica, adds to the overall mood of the song. The boy's frustration at the girl’s behavior is evident in the lyrics when he says, “I’m gonna leave you baby, about the break of day. On account of the way you treat me, I’ve got to stay away." The boy tries his best to show the girl his love by gifting her an aeroplane, which he can fly all over her town, trying to win her heart. Despite all his attempts, he finally accepts the fact that the girl is not interested in him and is in love with somebody else.
Overall, the song uses a simple narrative to attract listeners and tell a story of unrequited love. The boy’s innocence and sincerity in his approach make it relatable, and the lyrics capture the essence of blues music, which is all about emotions and storytelling.
Line by Line Meaning
A good morning little schoolgirl, can I go home with you?
The singer is expressing an interest in spending time with the addressed person, particularly by returning to their home.
Tell your mama and your daddy, that I'm a little schoolboy too
The singer suggests the addressed person inform their parents that they are young just like the addressed person.
Baby I love you, I just can't help help myself
The singer confesses their love to the addressed person and the difficulty they have in controlling their emotions.
You're so good looking pretty babe, I don't need nobody else.
The artist compliments the addressed person's appearance and indicates that being with them is enough for the artist.
I'm gonna leave you baby, about the break of day. On account of the way you treat me, I've got to stay away
The artist intends to depart from the addressed person in the near future and cites the addressed person's behavior as the reason for their departure.
Come on pretty baby, oh you know I can't help myself
The singer is asking the addressed person to come with them and reveals their lack of control around the addressed person.
I'm gonna buy me an aeroplane, to fly all over your town. And tell everybody baby, Lord knows you've been putting me down.
The singer plans to acquire an airplane and travel throughout the addressed person's town. The singer intends to inform others of the way the addressed person has treated them in a negative manner.
I can't stand it babe, just cannot help myself. You're so young and pretty, but you're lovin' somebody else
The artist confesses their inability to tolerate the situation in which the addressed person loves somebody else despite the artist's strong feelings for them.
Oh babe what you do to me, I can't help myself
The artist expresses their intense feelings for the addressed person and emphasizes their inability to resist them.
Contributed by Christian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.