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.
Mail Box Blues
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paint my mailbox blue
Gonna Move up to the country
Paint my mailbox blue
Get some ribbons and lace baby,
Paint some trailin' vines and dew
You know I'm leavin' L.A. baby
I'm leavin' L.A. baby
Don't you know this smog has got me down
I'm goin' up to the country
Where there ain't no doggone smog around
Well, you got me baby
Sugar let your papa take you by the hand
Well, you be my woman
And I'll be your city-boy, country lovin' man.
I'm gonna move up to the country
Gonna paint my mailbox blue
Move up to the country
Gonna paint, gonna paint, gonna paint, my mailbox blue
Put some flowers on it honey,
Paint some trailin' vines and dew
In Taj Mahal's "Mailbox Blues," the singer expresses his desire to move from the city to the country where he can breathe in fresh air without any smog. He plans to paint his mailbox blue and add ribbons, lace, flowers, and trailin' vines and dew, making it a symbol of his quaint countryside lifestyle. The lyrics convey the sense of liberation from the polluted city, and the eagerness to start fresh in a new environment.
The song talks about the singer finding love in the countryside and asks the woman he loves to be his woman so they can enjoy the serene atmosphere together. Taj Mahal's deep voice accompanied by the bluesy guitar sound creates a hypnotic aura of freedom and relief from an otherwise depressing environment. The song perfectly captures the emotion of someone longing for a change of pace and a simpler life.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna move up to the country
I plan to move out of the city to a rural area.
Paint my mailbox blue
I will paint my mailbox a blue color.
Gonna Move up to the country
I am excited to move out of the city to a rural area.
Paint my mailbox blue
I will paint my mailbox a blue color.
Get some ribbons and lace baby,
I plan to decorate my mailbox with ribbons and lace.
Paint some trailin' vines and dew
I will add a design of trailing vines and dew drops to the mailbox.
You know I'm leavin' L.A. baby
I am leaving Los Angeles, my love.
Don't you know this smog 's got me down
The smog in Los Angeles has been affecting my mood and health.
I'm leavin' L.A. baby
I am departing Los Angeles, my love.
Don't you know this smog has got me down
The smog in Los Angeles has negatively impacted me.
I'm goin' up to the country
I am headed up to a rural area.
Where there ain't no doggone smog around
In the countryside, there is no pollution like smog.
Well, you got me baby
My love for you is strong and unwavering.
Sugar let your papa take you by the hand
Let me guide you, my love.
Well, you be my woman
I want you to be my partner and lover.
And I'll be your city-boy, country lovin' man.
I am a man who was raised in the city but loves life in the country.
I'm gonna move up to the country
I am going to leave the city for the countryside.
Gonna paint my mailbox blue
I plan on painting my mailbox blue.
Move up to the country
I am looking forward to relocating to a rural area.
Gonna paint, gonna paint, gonna paint, my mailbox blue
I will definitely be painting my mailbox a blue color.
Put some flowers on it honey,
I will decorate my mailbox with flowers, my love.
Paint some trailin' vines and dew
I will add a design of trailing vines and dew drops to the mailbox.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TAJ MAHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
gonna move up to the country
paint my mailbox blue
gonna move up to the canyon
paint my mailbox blue
put some flowers on it baby
paint some trailin’ vines and dew
you know i’m leavin’ la baby
don’t you know this smog’s got me down
i’m leavin’ la baby
don’t you know this smog has got me down
i’m goin’ up to the canyon
where there ain’t nobody else around
well, come here baby
sugar, let your papa take you by the hand
well, come here baby
sugar, let your papa take you by the hand
well, you be my woman
and i’ll be your city-boy, country man.
i’m gonna move up to the country
gonna paint, gonna paint, gonna paint, my mailbox blue
move up to the country
gonna paint my mailbox blue
put some flowers on it honey
paint some trailin’ vines and dew
@piercegauge5800
Been learning this song a little at a time in private. I was playing in front of a grocery store on a separate occasion when a guy asked my if I knew Taj Mahal and if I've ever heard this song....i was shocked by the coincidence and was even more shocked that anybody knew who taj mahal was. I have never played this song in public before 😱😂
@ticarot
A lot of us wore out multiple copies of this album back in the day. I'm not surprised at all someone recognized it.
@danielr8906
Amazing artist. Amazing song. The thing that makes my skin crawl is the tasteful short solo. Very slick vibe and riff. He deserves more praise!
@tangelinadaviatress2516
Full on in love with this song! I saw him live in Bend OR back in 01’ and when he played this some I cried from the intense joy I felt in my heart ♥️!
@michaelsheridan2748
Jesse Ed Davis is supreme on this track!! Also check out his play on ' Bacon Fat' from 'Take a Giant Step'.. The Telecaster is a mighty thing when played by a master!
@lynibson8441
RIP Jesse - think of what could have been!
@jillp2023
Just saw Taj Mahal and his quartet at Jazz Alley in Seattle. Nice venue. What a sweet show, we left feeling so happy. He played this song right at the start and I was so charmed that I'm painting my mailbox blue, out in the country. And setting this up to play on my ukulele with my Tuesday night buddies (harmonica, bass usually, guitars, fiddle) I think it'll be a keeper.
@Lengo67
Found on Taj's 1968 album, The Natch'l Blues
Go buy it! It's still smoking hot today!
@mctavish23
Never gets old; just better. Thanks.
@richardstudeny3870
Great tune!