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.
Having A Real Bad Day
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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I found her number, and the note she wrote
Deep in the pocket, of a real old coat
It just got by me some way
I'm having a real bad day
Said she was all moved in and her apartment,
Sure looked fine
Said all her fixtures were new, and I'll turn them on for you
She said I get home at a quarter to six
I'll be waiting for your call
I'll fix you something, I'm sure your gonna love
But we don't have to, we don't have to eat at all
That's one of the problems, of life on the road
Little notes like this ain't got no area code
I don't know what else to say
I'm having, a real bad day
I don't know what to say
I'm having, a real bad day
The song "Having A Real Bad Day" by Taj Mahal begins with the singer finding a note and a phone number inside an old coat pocket that he had apparently overlooked earlier. The note is from a woman who has just moved into a new apartment and wants him to visit her. She also offers to cook for him when he arrives. However, the man is unable to make the visit due to his busy touring schedule. He is frustrated and disappointed that life on the road is making it difficult for him to connect with people and maintain relationships. He is having a real bad day.
The song explores the sense of loneliness and isolation that can accompany a life on the road. The man imagines a life with this woman but is unable to make it a reality due to the constraints of his profession. The song also touches on the universal experience of feeling overwhelmed and having a bad day. Despite his fame and success, the singer is not immune to the challenges of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
I found her number, and the note she wrote
While going through an old coat, I came across a note she had written, along with her phone number
Deep in the pocket, of a real old coat
The note and phone number were hidden in a pocket of an old coat
It just got by me some way
I must have missed this note earlier, and I'm not sure how
Said she was all moved in and her apartment, Sure looked fine
She mentioned that she'd moved into a new apartment, and it sounded like it was nice
Suggested I come by, and see her some time
She suggested I visit her at her new apartment sometime
Said all her fixtures were new, and I'll turn them on for you
She boasted that her apartment had new fixtures and that she'd be happy to show them to me
She said I get home at a quarter to six
She informed me that she'd be home at 5:45 p.m.
I'll be waiting for your call
She promised to be available and waiting for my phone call
I'll fix you something, I'm sure your gonna love
She offered to cook something for me and expressed confidence that I'd enjoy it
But we don't have to, we don't have to eat at all
She clarified that eating wasn't mandatory, and we could simply spend time together if I preferred
That's one of the problems, of life on the road
Being on tour all the time makes it difficult to keep in touch with friends and loved ones
Little notes like this ain't got no area code
She left a note, but it didn't specify her location because of the transient nature of touring
I don't know what else to say
I don't have anything else to add
I'm having, a real bad day
Despite the promise of seeing a friend, missing the note earlier and being on the road has left me feeling down
I don't know what to say
I'm struggling to express how I'm feeling right now
I'm having, a real bad day
My day is turning out to be quite challenging and not going as I'd hoped
Lyrics © CAROL VINCENT & ASSOC LLC
Written by: DELBERT MCCLINTON, JOHN JARVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind