Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 1942) is an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician who incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer, songwriter, and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his 50 year career by fusing it with non-traditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.

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.

Light Rain
Taj Mahal Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Light rain, light rain
Baby, fallin' down
Light rain, light rain
Baby, fallin' down
Soon as it hit my windowpane
Surely hit the ground

Big, bull, bull, bull, bullfrog

Sittin' in the pond
Big, big bullfrog
Baby, sittin' in that pond
Got a white tie and coattails
Got no britches on

Goin' to Houston
Baby, see my pony run
Goin' up Houston
See my pony run
If I win some money, baby
Surely bring you some

Light rain, light rain
Baby, fallin' down
Light rain, light rain
Baby, fallin' down

Soon as it hit my windowpane, mama
Surely hit the ground

Overall Meaning

The song Light Rain by Taj Mahal is a poetic representation of a man observing and enjoying the beauty of nature, particularly the gentle and soothing sound of light rain. He describes the rain as falling softly and delicately, and as soon as it touches the window pane, it hits the ground with a soft thud. The sound of the rain serves as a background music to the man's thoughts and feelings. As he listens to the falling rain, he notices a big bullfrog sitting in a pond close to where he is. The frog is described as having a white tie and coattails but no britches on. The image is humorous and imaginative, depicting the frog as someone of importance but lacking in sophistication.

The last verse presents a different idea, where the man is going to Houston to see his pony run. He hopes to win some money and bring it back to his loved one. The imagery in this verse is more action-packed, unlike the previous ones which focus more on setting a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The contrast in the two verses shows the versatility of the man's thoughts and how he can appreciate different aspects of life. The repetition of the phrase light rain throughout the song emphasizes the importance of the rain in the man's experience, acting as a calming presence throughout.

Line by Line Meaning

Light rain, light rain Baby, fallin' down
The singer observes the light rain falling and compares it to a baby falling down.

Soon as it hit my windowpane Surely hit the ground
The singer notes that as soon as the raindrop hits the windowpane, it falls to the ground.

Big, bull, bull, bull, bullfrog Sittin' in the pond
The singer sees a big bullfrog sitting in a pond.

Big, big bullfrog Baby, sittin' in that pond Got a white tie and coattails Got no britches on
The artist describes the bullfrog in humorous terms, noting that it seems to be dressed up with a white tie and coattails, but has no britches.

Goin' to Houston Baby, see my pony run Goin' up Houston See my pony run If I win some money, baby Surely bring you some
The artist expresses their plans to go to Houston and watch their pony race. They promise to bring some money back to their loved one if they win.

Light rain, light rain Baby, fallin' down Light rain, light rain Baby, fallin' down Soon as it hit my windowpane, mama Surely hit the ground
The singer repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the image of light rain falling like a baby and how quickly it falls to the ground.

Writer(s): Eric Von Schmidt

Contributed by Keira G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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