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.

Natural Man
Taj Mahal Lyrics

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Now you know I change with seasons, baby
And I roll with the incoming tide
Now you know well I change with the seasons, baby, you know
And I roll with the incoming tide

Now you know I'm a natural man, baby.
Lord I do what I feel inside.

Now don't you give me no TV dinner, baby.
Don't you give me none of that instant mess.
Now don't you give me that TV dinner, baby, none of that instant mess.

Woman, now you know I want your good home food cooking, baby,
'Cause that's what I love the best.

I'ma ask Mother Nature, ask her what's on that poor boy's mind.
I'ma have a talk with Mother Nature, baby.
Have her ask what's on my mind.

You know what she told me she said go out in the hills country, boy.
Man, you know you will be doin' fine

I'm going to the country, baby
Woman, do you wanna, do you wanna, do you wanna go?
Woah mama you know I'm going to the country, baby!
Do you wanna, do you wanna go?

Now you know if somebody asks me, you know tell 'em aunt Mabel told you so.

You know of my Aunt Mabel!

Well, you know and I change with the seasons, baby!
Mama now you know and I roll with the incoming tide!
Now you know well I change with the seasons, baby!
Roll with the incoming tide.

Well you know I'm a natural born man, baby
Lord I do what I feel inside

Now this here's for my cousin Patsie, Lord, and my auntie Mabel too!
Now you know this is for my aunt Mona, Lord knows, grandma and uncle, Lord too!

Well you know I'm sitting out here in Los Angeles, y'all in New York
And I'm singing home to you! Wake up, folks!

Lord and I change with the seasons, baby!
Roll with the incoming tide!
Lord you know I change with the seasons, baby!
Lord I roll with the incoming tide!

Now you know your natural born lover now
And I do what I feels inside

Overall Meaning

In "Natural Man," Taj Mahal sings about embracing his natural instincts and being true to himself. He compares himself to the changing seasons and the incoming tide, indicating that these natural elements are a reflection of his own nature. Mahal makes it clear that he wants the simple pleasures of life - good, home-cooked food - rather than the fancy, processed things like TV dinners. He even seeks guidance from Mother Nature and plans to go to the hills to clear his mind and reconnect with his natural self. He addresses his loved ones and mentions his family members, saying this song is for them. Ultimately, he declares himself a natural born lover who follows his heart.

Line by Line Meaning

Now you know I change with seasons, baby
I am someone who adapts to the changes in life, my dear

And I roll with the incoming tide
I move and change along with the flow of the world

Now you know well I change with the seasons, baby, you know
As I've said before, my dear, I am someone who changes with the passing of time.

And I roll with the incoming tide
I still move and shift with the movement of the world.

Now you know I'm a natural man, baby.
I am a person who is authentic and true to myself, my dear.

Lord I do what I feel inside.
I listen to the voice within me and act accordingly, dear god.

Now don't you give me no TV dinner, baby.
I do not want any mass-produced, artificial food, dear.

Don't you give me none of that instant mess.
I do not want any ready-to-eat or quick-made dishes, dear.

Woman, now you know I want your good home food cooking, baby,
What I truly desire, my dear lady, is home-cooked meals that you lovingly make.

'Cause that's what I love the best.
That is what I cherish and adore the most, dear.

I'ma ask Mother Nature, ask her what's on that poor boy's mind.
I shall speak to the universe and request its advice on what's troubling me, dear.

I'ma have a talk with Mother Nature, baby.
I will converse with Mother Nature herself, my dear.

Have her ask what's on my mind.
Please ask her to find out what's on my mind, dear.

You know what she told me she said go out in the hills country, boy.
This is what she suggested, dear: go somewhere peaceful, perhaps the countryside or the hills.

Man, you know you will be doin' fine
I shall be in a better state of mind, and all will be well, dear.

Woah mama you know I'm going to the country, baby!
I am headed for the countryside, oh dear lady!

Do you wanna, do you wanna go?
Would you like to accompany me, dear?

Now you know if somebody asks me, you know tell 'em aunt Mabel told you so.
Let folks know that you learned this from Aunt Mabel, dear.

Now you know of my Aunt Mabel!
You are aware of my dear Aunt Mabel, my love!

Now this here's for my cousin Patsie, Lord, and my auntie Mabel too!
This is dedicated to my dear cousin Patsie, as well as my Aunt Mabel.

Lord knows, grandma and uncle, Lord too!
And also to my deceased grandmother and uncle.

Well you know I'm sitting out here in Los Angeles, y'all in New York
As I am in Los Angeles and you are in New York, my dear.

And I'm singing home to you! Wake up, folks!
I am singing this for you, dear, so please listen!

Now you know your natural born lover now
Now you understand that I am your true lover, dear.

And I do what I feels inside
I act based on what I feel inside, dear.

Lord and I change with the seasons, baby!
Yes, my dear, I shift and transform along with the seasons, dear God!