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.
Leaving Trunk
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't see no blues, whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I'm going back to Memphis babe, where I'll have much better luck
Look out Mama you know you asked me to be your King
She said you kiddin' man, if you want it, keep it hid
But please don't let my husband, my main man catch you here
The blues are mushed up into three different ways
One said go the other two said stay
I woke up this mornin' with the blues three different ways
You know one say go "Baby I want to hang up", the other two said stay
Wake up mama I got something to tell you
You know I'm a man who love to sing the blues
Now you got to wake up baby, mama now, I got something; I got something to tell you
Well you know I'm the man, oh yes and I love to sing the blues
Come on baby, Come on
I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk, you know
I ain't see no blues or whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I go home baby and I lay down on the lawn
The lyrics of Taj Mahal's "Leaving Trunk" is a classic blues song about a man who's packing up to leave and go back to Memphis where he believes he'll have better luck. The first verse reveals that the singer has been drinking whiskey and is feeling sloppy drunk. He's trying to pack his leaving trunk but can't seem to find any blues. The irony of the verse is that he's trying to leave all his blues behind, but they seem to be following him.
In the second verse, the singer talks about a woman who wants him to be her king. However, she warns him to keep their relationship a secret, or else her husband will find out. The singer characterizes the blues as three different conflicting ways of how he should handle the situation. One voice tells him to stay, while the other two tell him to run away.
The third verse has the singer confessing his love for singing the blues to his lover, who he wants to wake up and tell her about it. He wants her to know that he's the man who loves to sing the blues. The song ends with the singer packing his leaving trunk, echoing the first verse.
Line by Line Meaning
I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk
I'm packing my stuff in preparation to leave.
I ain't see no blues, whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I wasn't feeling down until I drank too much whiskey and got drunk.
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I'm blaming my bluesy mood for getting too drunk on whiskey.
I'm going back to Memphis babe, where I'll have much better luck
I'm leaving this place to go to Memphis where I hope to have better fortune.
Look out Mama you know you asked me to be your King
You once wanted me to be your ruler, Mama, but things have changed.
She said you kiddin' man, if you want it, keep it hid
She doesn't take me seriously and warns me to keep my desires hidden.
But please don't let my husband, my main man catch you here
Please don't let my spouse find you here with me.
Please don't let my main man, my husband catch you here
I'm reminding you again not to let my partner find us together.
The blues are mushed up into three different ways
The blues can be interpreted in three different manners.
One said go the other two said stay
One interpretation suggests leaving while the other two suggest staying.
I woke up this mornin' with the blues three different ways
I'm feeling sad for three distinct reasons this morning.
You know one say go "Baby I want to hang up", the other two said stay
One interpretation is to leave while the other two suggest staying in a relationship.
Wake up mama I got something to tell you
Hey Mama, I have something important to share with you.
You know I'm a man who love to sing the blues
I am a man who loves to express himself through singing the blues.
Now you got to wake up baby, mama now, I got something; I got something to tell you
Wake up, Mama, I really need to tell you something important.
Well you know I'm the man, oh yes and I love to sing the blues
I'm reminding you that I am a man who adores singing the blues.
Come on baby, Come on
Come on, let's get out of here together.
I go home baby and I lay down on the lawn
When I get home, I plan to relax outside on the grass.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J. ESTES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pablobartkevicius
I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk
I ain't see no blues, whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I'm going back to Memphis babe, where I'll have much better luck
Look out Mama you know you asked me to be your King
She said you kiddin' man, if you want it, keep it hid
But please don't let my husband, my main man catch you here
Please don't let my main man, my husband catch you here
The blues are mushed up into three different ways
One said go the other two said stay
I woke up this mornin' with the blues three different ways
You know one say go "Baby I want to hang up", the other two said stay
Wake up mama I got something to tell you
You know I'm a man who love to sing the blues
Now you got to wake up baby, mama now, I got something; I got something to tell you
Well you know I'm the man, oh yes and I love to sing the blues
Come on baby, Come on
I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk, you know
I ain't see no blues or whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I go home baby and I lay down on the lawn
@johnnyacevedo681
I went to a three day concert at Spartan Stadium in San Jose 1969 I was right in front of the stage when Taj Mahal played leaving trunk, I’m 78 and remember that to this day I’m playing it right now😎
@no1nestandsalone387
Love it! ❤❤❤❤
@danielcampbell9344
Bought this year's ago in a goodwill. I was 15. Went home and put it on an old record player. As it popped and crackled and that harmonica kicked in, I had chills all over me. My older brother poked in, "What are you listening to?" This song still does it. I just wish I still had my grandma's player
@markranfone6393
thats legendary
@oliverholmes-gunning5372
You ever have that amazing thing where you've just smoked a big joint, you're walking along and the perfect song to match your vibe comes on? Cause it's happening to me right now.
@pablobartkevicius
I wouldn't know ;) but it sounds just perfect
@simpleman5593
Great idea gonna twist one up and ride!
@gregoryguitars6291
Fuck yeah!
@theunknownone4433
Every day man 😏😎🤤🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽
@Banzo_
Shut up ya damn hippy... Jk rock on