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.
That's How Strong My Love Is
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd go with love almost anywhere
I'll be the moon when the sun goes down
Just to let you know I'm still around
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is, baby
That's how strong my love is
I'll be the weeping willow drowning in my tear
You can go swimming when you are here
And I'll be the rainbow after the tears are gone
Wrap you in my colors and keep you warm
That's how strong my love is, darling
That's how strong my love is, baby
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is
I'll be the ocean so deep, deep and wide
Catch the tears whenever you cry
I'll be the breeze after the storm has gone
To dry your eyes and love you warm
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is, baby
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is, baby
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is
So much of loving, so much
So much, so much of loving
That's how strong my love is, c'mon
That's how strong my love is, be young
That's how strong my love is
That's how strong my love is
In Taj Mahal's song "That's How Strong My Love Is," he uses evocative imagery to describe just how strong his love is for his significant other. The first verse depicts how he would follow his love anywhere, even if it means being the sun or the moon, just to let them know he's there. The second verse describes how he will be the weeping willow and the rainbow, representing the highs and lows of their relationship. The final verse describes how he is the ocean and the breeze, willing to catch his love's tears and dry them off.
The song is a powerful statement of unconditional love, showing that Taj Mahal is willing to be anything and do everything for his partner. The repeated chorus of "that's how strong my love is" serves as a reinforcement of this theme, emphasizing just how much he is willing to do.
The use of nature imagery is also significant as it highlights the strength and power of love, much like the natural world. The use of the ocean, sun, and moon also symbolizes the vastness and infinite depth of his love.
Overall, Taj Mahal's "That's How Strong My Love Is" is a powerful testament to the strength and depth of love, expressed through vivid and poignant imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were the sun way up there
If I had all the power and could be anywhere, I would follow love.
I'd go with love almost anywhere
I would willingly go anywhere just to pursue love.
I'll be the moon when the sun goes down
When everything else fades away, I'll still be around to love and support you.
Just to let you know I'm still around
I want you to know that my love is constant and unwavering.
That's how strong my love is
My love for you is incredibly strong and steadfast.
I'll be the weeping willow drowning in my tear
Even when I'm sad and vulnerable, I'll still be here for you to rely on and be comforted by.
You can go swimming when you are here
You can feel safe and protected in my love when you're with me.
And I'll be the rainbow after the tears are gone
After the hardships and difficult times, I'll still be here to bring joy and happiness.
Wrap you in my colors and keep you warm
I'll surround you with my love and warmth to shield you from negativity and coldness.
That's how strong my love is, darling
My love for you is so strong and genuine, my dear.
That's how strong my love is, baby
Baby, my love for you is incredibly strong and enduring.
I'll be the ocean so deep, deep and wide
My love is vast and limitless like the deep oceans.
Catch the tears whenever you cry
I'll always be here to comfort you and wipe away your tears.
I'll be the breeze after the storm has gone
After the difficulties have passed, I'll still be here to help you navigate through the aftermath.
To dry your eyes and love you warm
I'll help dry away your tears and surround you with my love to bring warmth back into your life.
So much of loving, so much
Loving someone requires a lot of emotional investment and commitment.
That's how strong my love is, c'mon
I want you to see just how strong and deep my love for you really is.
That's how strong my love is, be young
No matter how old we are, my love for you will always be strong and unwavering.
That's how strong my love is
My love for you is powerful and boundless.
Contributed by Alex Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lee Lee 1908 Williams
This is my second favorite version behind Otis!! So much soul mixed with the blues when he says help me Otis at the end!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Barbara Blonsky
Omg...what a great version....dear God...rips my heart out! First time I ever heard this was the Stones....this is fantastic...rivals Otis. Love me some Taj Mahal ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Nikia Evans
Reminiscing on my younger years. Adore this song!
Andrew Stuart Brown
GREAT rendition. What a voice. What orchestration
CPR4LIFE
My favorite Otis Redding song. Taj does a great job with it! Doyle Bramhall does a really nice cover of it as well!
Adam Schmeerbauch
such a great version. this is what my mom and I are doing our dance to at my wedding this month!
Siv Lim
Adam Schmeerbauch aww such a sweet song for that! Congrats!
Mike Monchuk
Preach my brother from another mother!!!! A true living legend with so, so much emotion. Gospel blues, and soul oozes with every song this talented man sings. God Bless Mr Taj Mahal!!!
unothe1asme
I played this at my Fathers Funeral. Miss him. He turned me onto the Bluues
Dennis Menace
Beautiful song,goes out to the love of my life,your know who you are!