On December 10, 1967, Redding, his manager, and band members Jimmy King (b.1949; guitar), Ronnie Caldwell (b. 1948; organ), Phalon Jones (b. 1949; saxophone), and Carl Cunningham (b. 1949; drums) died in a plane crash in Lake Monona while on their way to a performance in Madison, Wisconsin.
Trumpeter Ben Cauley survived the crash and bassist James Alexander (who missed the flight due to returning a rental car) rebuilt the group.
The reformed band consisted of Cauley; Alexander; Harvey Henderson, saxophone; Michael Toles, guitar; Ronnie Gorden, organ; Willie Hall, drums and later Larry Dodson, lead vocals.
The group backed dozens of major Stax artists on recordings afterwards, including on Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul album, and changed direction in the 1970s to have a successful funk music career. Lloyd Smith joined the Bar-Kays in 1973. They continued to score hits on R&B charts well into the 1980s and lately have incorporated contemporary rap & remix elements into their continuing career and have performed all over the world.
Holy Ghost
The Bar-Kays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
shakin' all in my bones
I never felt such a feelin'
In all the days I been round, yeah
Whenever I feel the pressure
(Jah!) I can't seem to hypnotize my mind
(Well!) Your love is like the Holy Ghost
And I feel like I've been born a second time
Hey! Hey!
Your love is like the Holy Ghost
The antidote that saved my soul
And no psycho could ever describe
This feeling that sets my soul on fire
You put a run in my walk
And you put a tremble in my talk
And this feeling that I have within
Love, it makes me feel like I've been born again
Hey! Hey!
(Hold it!) Yeah, you put, a run in my walk
(Hold it!) Girl, you put, a tremble in my talk
(Hold it!) Girl, I'm feeling like I never felt
(Hold it!) Girl, you ought to be ashamed of yourself
(Hold it!) Yeah, you got me, shakin' all in my bones
(Hold it!) I just can't leave your love alone!
(Hold it!) Girl, you spin me
(Hold it!) Well, well, well
(Hold it!)
(Hold it!)
(Hold it!)
(Hold it!)
(Hold it!)
(Hold it!)
(Hold it!)
(Hold it!)
(Hold it!)
The Bar-Kays's song "Holy Ghost" describes a feeling of spiritual, almost religious commitment to a romantic love interest. The singer compares their love to the Holy Ghost, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit of the Christian faith, known for its power and transformative capabilities. The singer claims to have never felt love like this before, and details how their love interest has affected them both physically and emotionally. They describe feeling a rush of energy throughout their body that cannot be compared to any other sensation.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love is like the Holy Ghost shakin' all in my bones
Your love has a strong impact on me, making me feel like I'm shaking at my very core.
I never felt such a feelin' In all the days I been round, yeah
I have never experienced a feeling like this before in all my years of living.
Whenever I feel the pressure (Jah!) I can't seem to hypnotize my mind
When I feel overwhelmed and under pressure, I cannot calm my mind and thoughts on my own.
(Well!) Your love is like the Holy Ghost And I feel like I've been born a second time
Your love has rejuvenated me to the point where I feel like I have been given a second chance at life.
Your love is like the Holy Ghost The antidote that saved my soul
Your love is like the cure that healed my wounded soul and made me feel complete.
And no psycho could ever describe This feeling that sets my soul on fire
No therapist could ever understand or explain the intense feeling of passion and love that I have for you.
You put a run in my walk And you put a tremble in my talk
You have changed me in a way that has influenced the way I walk and talk, making me feel more alive and energized.
And this feeling that I have within Love, it makes me feel like I've been born again
The feeling of love that I have for you has given me a spiritual awakening, making me feel like a new person.
Yeah, you put, a run in my walk
You have given me a newfound energy and excitement that makes me want to move faster and enjoy life more.
Girl, you put, a tremble in my talk
You have given me a sense of nervousness and excitement that makes me feel more alive and in the moment.
Girl, I'm feeling like I never felt
Your love has made me feel emotions and sensations that I have never experienced before.
Girl, you ought to be ashamed of yourself
Your power over me is so intense that you should feel guilty for making me feel this way.
Yeah, you got me, shakin' all in my bones
You have such an effect on me that I feel like I am shaking from within when I am around you.
I just can't leave your love alone!
Your love has such a powerful hold on me that I cannot help but be drawn to you and your affection.
Girl, you spin me...
You have such a strong impact on my life that you have the power to change my entire world.
(Hold it!) Well, well, well
Pause and reflect on the overwhelming emotions that I am feeling in this moment.
(Hold it!)
Take a moment to stop and appreciate the intensity of the situation.
(Hold it!)
Pause and reflect on the power of love and its ability to completely change a person.
(Hold it!)
Take a moment to appreciate the significance of the emotions that I am feeling right now.
(Hold it!)
Suspend action for a brief period to reflect on the powerful emotions that I am experiencing in this moment.
(Hold it!)
Take a moment to pause and fully appreciate the depth of the emotions that I am feeling right now.
(Hold it!)
Wait a moment to fully absorb and appreciate the weight of the situation I am in.
(Hold it!)
Request to pause and take a moment to fully comprehend the overwhelming emotions in this moment.
(Hold it!)
Stop for a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the intensity and importance of the situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddie Marion, Henderson Thigpen Jr., James Banks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JDanseuse92
My grandad played the drums for this song for the Bar-Kays =)
@cynthiaroper8595
He killed them drums❣
@habv3397
He BaD!
@indianman34
God Bless your grandfather for doing the drums for this particular piece....he should have been estatic to have played with the Bar-Kays...hands down one of my favorites....the solo part was sampled for '' Pump Up The Volume'' by M/A/R/R/S in 1991...peace
@cjjaxxon
Every time the song starts and I hear that roll around the drums..........I air drum right along with him. Lol. Loved it when it came out as a kid and still do now.
@tekelawaller7419
Are you carrying it forward???
@coderef5616
...Back when musicians could jam for 8 mins or MORE....and you could tirelessly GROOVE WITH them
@andyc8711
Im a skinny white boy bassist and this is the sickest funk groove Ive heard in my life- I'm addicted to this band...the groove is as wide as the grand canyon !! hell yeah what a bass line
@diegosanchez1203
You learn it, you perpetuate it, no excuses.
@daddytroy
Rest In Peace to my big brother Frankie J Thompson passed away 6/16/2020. Trombonist for the Barkays