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.
Lonely Avenue
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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The sunlight never comes through
I'm so sad and lonely, baby
Since I broke off baby with you
I live on a lonely avenue
Little girl, since you said you're through
Now I feel so sad and blue
I could die, I could die, I could die
I could die, I could die, I could die
I live on a lonely avenue
My pillow is made of lead
And my cover is made of stone
I toss and turn every night
I'm not used to livin' alone
I live on a lonely avenue
Girl, since you said we're through
And I feel so sad and blue
You know it's all because of you
I could die, I could die, I could die
I could cry, I could cry, I could cry
I live on a lonely avenue
A lonely avenue
Taj Mahal’s song Lonely Avenue tells the story of heartbreak and loneliness after a relationship ends. The opening lines of the song describe a room with two windows, but the sunlight never comes through. This image amplifies the feelings of sadness and loneliness in the song, suggesting that even though there are two physical windows, metaphorically, there is only darkness in the singer’s life.
The singer then sings about their experiences living on a lonely avenue, a street where they feel isolated and alone. They describe their emotional anguish since the end of the relationship, with lyrics like “I feel so sad and blue” and “It’s all because of you”. The repetition of the phrase “I could die, I could die, I could die” emphasizes the depth of the despair and the intensity of the emotions being experienced.
The song’s somber tone is amplified by the description of the pillow made of lead and the cover made of stone. The singer tosses and turns every night, unable to get used to living alone. The loneliness is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase “a lonely avenue” throughout the song’s chorus.
Overall, Lonely Avenue is a powerful expression of the pain and heartbreak associated with the end of a relationship. Taj Mahal’s soulful voice and the slow, bluesy melody accentuate the song’s emotional depth and convey the intensity of the singer’s isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Well my room has got two windows
Even though I have two windows in my room, there is no sunshine that comes through.
I'm so sad and lonely, baby
I am feeling extremely lonely and sad, my love.
Since I broke off baby with you
Ever since we broke up, my emotions have been in a bad state.
I live on a lonely avenue
I'm residing on a street that is synonymously lonely.
Little girl, since you said you're through
Since you ended things with me, my world's been a dark place.
Now I feel so sad and blue
I'm experiencing a profound sense of sadness - everything seems gloomy.
It's all because of you
Your departure from my life is the sole reason for my unhappiness.
I could die, I could die, I could die
My pain is so intense that sometimes it feels like it would be easier to just pass away.
My pillow is made of lead
My pillow feels extremely heavy, like it's made of lead.
And my cover is made of stone
The blanket covering me feels like stone - impersonal and inanimate.
I'm not used to livin' alone
I'm unaccustomed to living by myself and it's taking a toll on me.
You know it's all because of you
The one to blame for my troubles is none other than you.
I could cry, I could cry, I could cry
My suffering is so acute that tears come to my eyes.
A lonely avenue
The street where I reside is desolate and solitary.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOC POMUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind