Born Willie James Mabon, and brought up in Memphis, he had become known as a singer and pianist by the time he moved to Chicago in 1942. He formed a group, the Blues Rockers, and in 1949 began recording for the Aristocrat label, and then Chess. His style contrasted with many Chess artistes – it was cool and jazzy, emphasising piano and saxophone rather than guitar and harmonica.
His biggest success came in 1952 when his debut solo release, "I Don't Know", topped the Billboard R&B chart for eight weeks. He picked it up from the older boogie-woogie pianist, Cripple Clarence Lofton. It was one of the most popular releases of its era, becoming Chess' biggest hit in the period before Chuck Berry's and Bo Diddley's success. It also became one of the first R&B hit records to be covered by a leading white artist, Tennessee Ernie Ford. Mabon's original was played on Alan Freed's early radio shows and also sold well to white audiences, crossing over markets at the start of the rock and roll era.
Mabon returned to the top R&B slot in 1953 with "I'm Mad", and had another hit with Mel London penned "Poison Ivy" in 1954. However, his career failed to maintain its momentum, and record releases in the late 1950s on a variety of labels were largely unsuccessful. After a lull he repeated the process more modestly in the early 1960s with "Got To Have Some" and "I'm The Fixer".
After moving to Paris in 1972, he recorded and toured in Europe, as well as playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, until his death in April 1985.
Legacy:
Mabon's song "I Don't Know" was covered by The Blues Brothers.
His song "Just Got Some" was covered by Rod Stewart.
"Seventh Son", first recorded by Mabon in 1955, has since been covered by a number of artists including Johnny Rivers, John Mellencamp, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Mose Allison, Sting, Climax Blues Band,and Long John Baldry.
His coolly humorous, slightly effeminate style greatly impressed the English R&B singer and keyboard player, Georgie Fame.
Poison Ivy
Willie Mabon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You’ll get wasted, down to your knees
Now I don’t like to brag,
I don’t like to say what I do
But I’m like poison ivy,
I’ll break out all over you
Two men have to hold me or I’ll cut my throat
Well I bought me a blade, one that I could afford
Too long to be a knife, and too short to be a sword
Last night some cat got smart with my niece
Now he wears a sign sayin’ “rest in peace”
Now I don’t claim to be bad, don’t claim to be strong
I just like to keep bad people from doing me wrong
Willie Mabon's song "Poison Ivy" features lyrics that speak about a man who shouldn't touch a certain woman or else he'll get harmed. The singer compares themselves to poison ivy, saying that they'll break out all over you. This can be interpreted as a warning to stay away from the singer or else you'll regret it. The singer goes on to describe their own behavior, mentioning that they need help to refrain from hurting themselves when they shave, and they've even bought a blade that's too big to be a knife yet too short to be a sword.
The lyrics take a dark turn when the singer mentions that someone got smart with their niece, resulting in that person's death. The singer doesn't claim to be bad or strong, but simply wants to keep people who do them wrong at bay. Overall, the song gives off a sense of danger and warns against getting involved with the wrong people.
Line by Line Meaning
Now cat, don’t touch that gal there please
Warning not to mess with the woman in question.
You’ll get wasted, down to your knees
Whoever tries to mess with the woman in question will suffer the consequences, possibly getting beaten.
Now I don’t like to brag,
The singer is about to brag about his abilities.
I don’t like to say what I do
The singer is secretive about his actions, but is inclined to describe them anyway.
But I’m like poison ivy,
The singer has negative consequences for those who come into contact with him, similar to the plant poison ivy.
I’ll break out all over you
The consequences of coming into contact with the singer are severe and widespread.
Everyday when I shave, wearin’ my house coat
The singer shaves in his house coat on a regular basis.
Two men have to hold me or I’ll cut my throat
The singer may harm himself accidentally unless restrained.
Well I bought me a blade, one that I could afford
The singer has purchased a weapon he can afford.
Too long to be a knife, and too short to be a sword
The weapon is a specific size that is neither a knife nor a sword.
Last night some cat got smart with my niece
The singer's relative was insulted by someone else.
Now he wears a sign sayin’ “rest in peace”
The person who insulted the singer's relative has been killed.
Now I don’t claim to be bad, don’t claim to be strong
The singer doesn't see himself as a particularly bad or strong person.
I just like to keep bad people from doing me wrong
The singer has a sense of justice and will protect himself from bad people.
Writer(s): Willie Mabon Copyright: Arc Music Corp.
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
brucebud
What a great blues rendition. Nice send up of one of those old "razor-toting" cats from back in the day.
George Neidorf
2nd. chorus, the tenor player is into it.
Seth Massing
Just found this on 78 rpm in rural Mississippi
59cadcoupe
Check out all Willie's tunes,,,
-The Big Clatter - 50’s Jz & R&R
🥳👍💫
Corporations8MyBaby
Do not mess with Mr. Mabon's niece... fo sho.
Grace™The Essential Worker..
blue's love the shade
LA Hair Extensions Atlanta
Anybody remember Shelly the Playboy in B'ham?