He started his career as a gospel singer touring Texas with The Spiritual Five in the 1950's but started gigging solo in Dallas in local R&B clubs with the bands of Big Bo Thomas and Frank Shelton. By the mid 60's he was recording soulful rock n roll with an emphasis on bluesy balladry. Z.Z Hill's style is somewhat reminiscent of other southern blues & soul singers like Percy Sledge, Bobby Bland and his biggest influence B.B King, which is supposedly where he got the idea to shorten his name to Z.Z.
He started hitting his commercial stride with early 70's hits including Chokin' Kind, Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes, and Faithful and True. While signed to Columbia, "Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It," spent 18 weeks on the Billboard R&B chart in the summer of 1977. Cheatin' In The Next Room was released in early 1982 and broke into the top 20 nationally, spending a total of 20 weeks on the charts.
His song Down Home Blues helped propel a 1982 album of the same name to stay on the Billboard soul album chart for nearly two years. Songs like "Someone Else Is Steppin In" and "Open House" have become R&B/Southern soul standards. During his career his songs were generally produced, arranged and/or provided by other talented writers and R&B legends including Lamont Dozier, Swamp Dogg, Dan Penn, Gary U.S Bonds, Denise LaSalle and Allen Toussaint.
Z. Z Hill's career was cut short when he died suddenly of a heart attack, after a road accident in 1984[ at the age of 48.
Early in the Morning
Z.Z. Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Everytime I think about you) Let's try this Guru
(I feel so alive) Yeah Yeah
( wish I could hold onto you forever) This is how I start my day a new
(I woke up early this morning with a new sight over
life) Good Morning America...Ghetto USA
[*Jay-Z in background*]
(Only Psalms I read was on the arms of my niggaz) Come on
(I woke up early this morning with a new sight over life)
Good Morning
It was the best of times and the worse of times
(The sunshine was shinin' you were on my mind)
Yeah
I wake up hit my shoe box I snatch out a few rocks
Put the rest inside now I'm ready to ride
Put the bomb in my socks so cops can't locate the valve
I ain't freshly dressed but got a Colgate smile
That's right
(I woke up early this morning)
Throw on the same clothes I had on last night
I got loads of capers to come up with this paper
I got money schemes that come to me in my dreams
Hit the block like a veteran
Fiends need they medicine
I'm the relieve pitcher
Their clean up hitters
It works I hit the Ave stash the bag in the dirt
Put the rest in my small pocket I start clockin'
(I woke up early this morning)
Same routine I'm runnin' game to fiends
Exchangin' cash for crack rocks
Back and forth to my stash box
Hundred dollars a week
Shorties got the Ave watched
Fiends small I'm gettin' rid of this bomb
As I
(I woke up early this morning with a new sight over life)
Good Morning
(Never read the Koran or Islamic scriptures)
(Only Psalms I read was on the arms of my niggaz)
(I woke up early this morning with a new sight over life)
(The sunshine was shinin' you were on my mind)
(I woke up early this morning)
The lyrics to Z.Z. Hill's song "Early In The Morning" showcase the daily life of an individual caught up in the drug dealing and addiction cycle. The singer describes waking up early in the morning with a new sight over life, which seems to indicate a sense of hope and optimism for the future. However, this is quickly followed by descriptions of drug-related activities like hitting his shoe box and snatching out a few rocks, and putting a bomb in his sock to avoid detection.
The singer's daily routine revolves around running money schemes, meeting with fiends to exchange cash for crack rocks, and hiding his stash in various locations. It's clear that the singer is fully immersed in this lifestyle, as he refers to himself as a veteran and a relief pitcher for fiends. The chorus of the song seems to provide a stark contrast to the dark reality of the verses, as it features Hill's soulful voice belting out "Early in the morning, when love comes tumbling down." This juxtaposition highlights the internal struggle that the singer likely faces on a daily basis -the desire for a better life with the knowledge that his current actions are detrimental.
In conclusion, "Early In The Morning" is a poignant and introspective song that offers a glimpse into the struggles faced by those caught up in the cycle of drug addiction and dealing. It's a reminder that despite the darkness and despair, hope and optimism can still exist.
Line by Line Meaning
(Everytime I think about you)
When I think of you, my thoughts and emotions are consumed by your presence.
(I feel so alive)
Your existence and our connection give me an electrifying energy and zest for life.
(wish I could hold onto you forever)
I yearn to have you by my side for eternity, to never let you go.
(I woke up early this morning with a new sight over life)
This morning, I awakened with a fresh perspective on life, seeing things in a new way.
Good Morning America...Ghetto USA
This is a greeting to all the people of America, including those who come from underprivileged communities.
(Never read the Koran or Islamic scriptures)
I have not explored or studied the religious texts of Islam or the Koran.
(Only Psalms I read was on the arms of my niggaz)
The only exposure I've had to Psalms is when I've seen them tattooed on the arms of my friends.
(The sunshine was shinin' you were on my mind)
As the sun was shining, my thoughts were consumed by you, my love.
(I woke up early this morning)
Once again, I awakened early in the morning.
Throw on the same clothes I had on last night
I quickly dress in the same clothes I wore the previous night, in order to get going with the day's activities.
Put the rest in my small pocket I start clockin'
I stash the remaining money in my pocket and begin the process of conducting my business dealings.
(Same routine I'm runnin' game to fiends)
Today's events will consist of the usual routine of conducting business with drug addicts.
Exchangin' cash for crack rocks
I exchange cash for crack cocaine.
(The sunshine was shinin' you were on my mind)
Throughout my day, my thoughts are consumed with thoughts of you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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