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.
Hoochi Coochi Coo
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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They're swirling in the kitchen
I know she′ll get a licking
For doing the hoochi coochi coo
Hey, mama, you better come real quick
Tell papa to bring a hickory stick
She's shaking like she's breaking
From doing the hoochi coochi coo
She′s spinning like a top
Shimmying with that steady rock
Dipping up and down
Then she go, round
Round and round
Hey, mama, what you you gonna do
Hey, mama, just look at little Sue
They're swishing in the kitchen
I know she′ll get a licking
For doing the hoochi coochi coo
Spinning like a top
Shimmying with that steady rock
Dipping up and down
Then she go, round
Round and round
Hey, mama, what you you gonna do
Hey, mama, look at little Sue
They're swishing in the kitchen
I know she′ll get a licking
For doing the hoochi coochi coo
The Taj Mahal's "Hoochi Coochi Coo" is a lively, upbeat song that captures the excitement and sensuality of dance. The lyrics depict a scene of a woman, presumably named Sue, dancing the hoochi coochi coo with her partner in the kitchen, while her parents look on disapprovingly. The song's narrator expresses concern that the couple will be punished for their risqué dancing, as the lyrics repeatedly reference the "licking" that Sue will receive.
The song's lyrics are full of rhythm and rhyme, accentuating the musicality of the dance itself. The repeated use of phrases like "spinning like a top" and "shimmying with that steady rock" create a sense of the dancers' frenzied energy and passion. The chorus, which repeats the lines "hey, mama, what you gonna do / hey, mama, look at little Sue" emphasizes the shame and fear that the couple feel as they are caught in the act of dancing.
Overall, "Hoochi Coochi Coo" is a vibrant celebration of dance and its power to evoke desire and excitement. The song's lyrics capture the sensuality of the dance in vivid language, while its driving rhythm and catchy melody make it a true crowd-pleaser.
Line by Line Meaning
She's doing the hoochi coochi coo
They are dancing a sensual dance in the kitchen
I know she’ll get a licking for doing the hoochi coochi coo
I am aware that she will get punished for dancing in this manner
Hey mama you better come real quick, tell papa to bring a hickory stick
Mother, you need to come here immediately and tell father to bring something to punish her with
She's shaking like she's breaking, and I know she'll soon be aching from doing the hoochi coochi coo
She is shaking so much that it seems like she might break, and I predict that she will feel pain from dancing in this way
She’s spinning like a top, shimmying with that steady rock, dipping up and down, then she go, round, round and round
She is twirling rapidly, moving side to side with a fixed rhythm, dipping gracefully and spinning around in circles
Hey mama, what you gonna do, hey mama look at little Sue, they're swishing in the kitchen, I know she'll get a licking for doing the hoochi coochi coo
Mother, what action are you going to take? Look at little Sue, they are dancing in the kitchen, and I am aware that punishment is inevitable
Writer(s): Hank Ballard, Billy Myles
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.