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.
Seventh Son
Willie Mabon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But in the whole round world there is only one, and
I'm the one, yes, I'm the one
I'm the one, I'm the one,
I'm the one they call the seventh son
Well I can tell your future before it comes to pass
And I can do things for you that make your heart feel glad
Look at the skies and predict the rain
I can tell when a woman's got another man
I'm the one, yes, I'm the one
I'm the one, I'm the one,
I'm the one they call the seventh son
Now I can hold you close and I can squeeze you tight
And I can make you cry for me both day and night
And I can heal the sick and even raise the dead
And make you little girls talk out of your head
I'm the one, yes, I'm the one
I'm the one, I'm the one,
I'm the one they call the seventh son
Now I can talk these words that sound so sweet
I can make your little heart even skip a beat
I can take you, baby, hold you in my arms
And make the flesh quiver on your lovely bones
I'm the one, yes, I'm the one
I'm the one, I'm the one,
I'm the one they call the seventh son
Well now everybody cryin' 'bout the seventh son
But in the whole round world there is only one, and
I'm the one, yes, I'm the one
I'm the one, I'm the one,
I'm the one they call the seventh son
I'm the one they call the seventh son
I'm the one they call the seventh son
The song "Seventh Son" by Willie Mabon is about a person claiming to be the only seventh son in the world with special abilities. The lyrics are full of boastful statements, including the ability to predict the future, make people feel happy, heal the sick, and even raise the dead. The song also hints at the ability to seduce women and make them do anything he wants. The seventh son, according to the song, holds special powers that no one else possesses.
The song may be interpreted in different ways, but one straightforward interpretation is that the seventh son is a supernatural being with exceptional powers. The song speaks of mystical abilities that the seventh son possesses, like the ability to predict the rain and read a woman's heart. However, the song also suggests that the seventh son can use these powers to manipulate and control people. The lyrics could be viewed in a metaphorical sense, as the seventh son may represent someone with great power, such as a leader or celebrity. The song could be a commentary on the use of power to control people and the consequences that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now everybody cryin' 'bout the seventh son
Everyone is talking about the seventh son, but they don't know that there is only one seventh son in the world.
But in the whole round world there is only one, and
I am the only seventh son in the world.
I'm the one, yes, I'm the one
I am the person who possesses unique abilities and characteristics.
I'm the one, I'm the one, I'm the one they call the seventh son
I am the seventh son who is capable of doing extraordinary things.
Well I can tell your future before it comes to pass
I have the ability to predict the future before it even happens.
And I can do things for you that make your heart feel glad
I can help you with things that bring happiness to your heart.
Look at the skies and predict the rain
I can observe the weather and tell if it's going to rain or not.
I can tell when a woman's got another man
I have the power to know if a woman is cheating with another man.
Now I can hold you close and I can squeeze you tight
I have the ability to hold you physically and give you comfort.
And I can make you cry for me both day and night
I possess such charm that you will cry for me all day and night.
And I can heal the sick and even raise the dead
I am capable of curing the sick and even bring the dead back to life.
And make you little girls talk out of your head
I have the power to mesmerize little girls and make them do things they wouldn't ordinarily do.
Now I can talk these words that sound so sweet
My words are so sweet that they can captivate your heart.
I can make your little heart even skip a beat
My actions and words can make your heart skip a beat.
I can take you, baby, hold you in my arms
I can physically hold you and make you feel safe and secure.
And make the flesh quiver on your lovely bones
My touch can send shivers down your spine.
I'm the one they call the seventh son
I am the only person with these unique abilities, the one they call the seventh son.
I'm the one they call the seventh son
I am the only person with these unique abilities, the one they call the seventh son.
I'm the one they call the seventh son
I am the only person with these unique abilities, the one they call the seventh son.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HENRY GLOVER, MORRIS LEVY, IVERSON MINTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Porco Russo
I heard four different versions of this song in a row and enjoyed all of them. Great music will show through no matter how it's covered as long as the performer has talent.
MsRockett88
I love playing different renditions of a tune back to back and you are correct covers. Also sometimes what we think was an original turn turns out to be a cover.
Tupper Lienke
This is a great recording and a great song! This is the first Willie Mabon record I've heard and what a great way to start with this soulful singing and piano playing!
Brian Bogosian
"Willie Dixon was a Chicago blues artist, perhaps best known for his songwriting.[1] He wrote or co-wrote over 500 songs[2] and his work has been recorded by some of the best-known blues musicians of his era, including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Little Walter.[3][4] Later, some of his songs were popularized by rock groups, such as the Rolling Stones, Cream, and Led Zeppelin." Wiki - & The Doors
Saudia Young
Willie Dixon AKA Willie Madon ???
G.R, Dray
Excellent. The Climax Blues Band did this song real good.
George Neidorf
The drummer is so deep in the pocket, he's almost in yesterday.
Rob Corbit Jr
Way cool Man dig it!!
Carlos Dilorenzo
Classic recording
Harry Chapman
This is the real deal!