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.

Om Sweet Om
Taj Mahal Lyrics

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There's a big 'ol sound coming from the sky
Something that you can't really analyze
Like a big ol circle around the sun
There's a little 'old circle 'round everyone
Way down in the jungle, between the trees
Deep in the desert, under the sea
The wind and the rain make a sacred sound
It's way out in the country, it's in the middle of town

Om, sweet home
Om, right on!
Om, sweet home, right on, right on!

Wait a minute, let's go outside
Open up your heart and let's pray a while
Hear the world all around you, let it all in
There ain't no beginning and there ain't no end

Om, sweet home (sweet)
Om, right on!
Om, sweet home, right on, right on!

There's a big ol' sound coming from the sky
Something that you can't really analyze
When the sun goes down from dusk to dawn
And he don't really care who it shines upon

Om, sweet home (sweet)
Om, right on!
Om, sweet home, right on, right on (don't you know I'm saying)

Om, sweet home

Om, right on (right on)
Om, sweet home, right on, right on, right on (sweet home, right on, oh yeah, right on, right on)

Overall Meaning

The song "Om Sweet Om" by Taj Mahal and Keb Mo is about finding peace and spiritual enlightenment amidst the chaos of life. The lyrics speak to the idea that there is a universal energy ("a big 'ol sound coming from the sky") that connects all living things, and that this energy can be tapped into through meditation and prayer.

The song encourages listeners to open their hearts and let the world in, to listen to the wind and the rain and find the sacred sound that exists all around us. The chorus ("Om, sweet home; Om, right on!") is a reference to the Hindu mantra "Om," which is considered the sound of the universe and is often used in meditation and prayer.

The verses of the song describe the many different places where this sacred energy can be found, from the jungle to the desert to the middle of town. The overall message of the song is that no matter where you are or what you're going through, you can always tap into the universal energy and find peace.

Overall, "Om Sweet Om" is a song about finding spiritual connection and peace in a chaotic world. Its lyrics are filled with references to Hindu philosophy and meditation practices, and it encourages listeners to open their hearts and find the sacred sound that exists all around us.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a big 'ol sound coming from the sky
There's a mystical sound emanating from above

Something that you can't really analyze
It's inexplicable and defies scientific explanation

Like a big ol circle around the sun
It's like an all-encompassing aura around the sun

There's a little 'old circle 'round everyone
All of us are surrounded by a small, personal circle

Way down in the jungle, between the trees
The sound can be heard in the deepest parts of nature

Deep in the desert, under the sea
And even in the most isolated landscapes

The wind and the rain make a sacred sound
Natural elements combine to create a divine melody

It's way out in the country, it's in the middle of town
The sound can be heard in rural and urban settings alike

Wait a minute, let's go outside
Pause and take a moment to step into nature

Open up your heart and let's pray a while
Let yourself be vulnerable and connect spiritually

Hear the world all around you, let it all in
Listen intently to the sounds of nature and be present

There ain't no beginning and there ain't no end
The sound is eternal and infinite

When the sun goes down from dusk to dawn
The sound is still present during nighttime

And he don't really care who it shines upon
It emanates without bias or discrimination

Om, sweet home
Om is the ultimate destination

Om, right on!
Embrace and align with the divine sound

Om, sweet home, right on, right on!
Let the sound guide you to your spiritual home

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN LEWIS PARKER, KEVIN MOORE, OM JOHARI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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