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.
Shade Tree Mechanic
Z.Z. Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say you don't want that
Thang to idle all night
Let me work on it, baby
I'll fix it up for you
I'll have your motor purring like a kitten
Girl, when I get through
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic
So baby, don't panic
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic
You say your generator ain't
Working too fine (No, no)
They tell me you need your front end aligned
(Ooh yeah) you don't have to worry
'Cause I'll take care of that
I'll stop your radiator from steaming
I'll adjust the thermostat
So baby, don't panic
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic (O oh)
So baby, don't panic
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic
They say you ain't had a
Good tune-up in a long, long while
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I'll give you good service with a smile
I'll solve all your problems
If you let me under your hood
I'll change your oil i'll fill it up
I'll lubricate it good
So baby, don't panic
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic (O oh)
So baby, don't panic
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic
So baby, don't panic
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic (O oh)
Don't panic, baby
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic
(Don't panic) No, no
Don't panic (Shade tree mechanic, ooh)
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic
Z.Z. Hill's "Shade Tree Mechanic" is a love song with a twist. The singer is offering himself as a mechanic for his lover's car. He says he'll take care of all the issues with the car, from aligning the wheels and fixing the radiator to changing the oil and making it purr like a kitten. The car is a metaphor for the girl – he's offering to take care of all her problems and make her feel good.
The song has a double meaning. On one hand, Hill is offering his skills as a mechanic to fix the car. In doing so, he's also offering his skills as a lover to fix the relationship. He's saying that if she lets him take care of the car, he'll take care of her too. On the other hand, the song is also a commentary on class and race. Shade tree mechanics were known for working on cars in their own backyard or under a tree, rather than in a professional mechanic's garage. The term "shade tree mechanic" is often used to describe working-class black men who took pride in fixing their cars themselves. Hill is using this term as a way of saying that he's a man who knows how to get things done, even if he's not a fancy professional.
Line by Line Meaning
They say your Caddy ain't been driven right
They are telling you that your Cadillac is not working properly
They say you don't want that Thang to idle all night
They are saying that you avoid leaving your Cadillac idling for a long period
Let me work on it, baby
Allow me to fix your Cadillac
I'll fix it up for you
I'll repair your car for you
I'll have your motor purring like a kitten
I'll fix your car engine and make it run smoothly
Girl, when I get through
I promise that when I'm done, your car will be in good shape
So baby, don't panic
Don't worry or stress about your car
'Cause I'm the shade tree mechanic
Trust me because I'm a skilled and experienced mechanic
You say your generator ain't Working too fine (No, no)
You're telling me that your car generator is not functioning properly
They tell me you need your front end aligned (Ooh yeah)
People are saying that your car's front end needs to be adjusted
you don't have to worry
You shouldn't feel apprehensive or anxious about your car
'Cause I'll take care of that
I'll fix those issues in your car
I'll stop your radiator from steaming
I'll fix your car's overheating engine
I'll adjust the thermostat
I'll set the thermostat to the correct temperature
They say you ain't had a Good tune-up in a long, long while (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
People are saying that your car hasn't been checked or serviced in a long time
I'll give you good service with a smile
I'll provide you with great service and do it gladly
I'll solve all your problems
I'll fix all the car issues you're experiencing
If you let me under your hood
If you give me access to your car engine
I'll change your oil i'll fill it up
I'll replace your used oil and refill your car with fresh oil
I'll lubricate it good
I'll apply an appropriate amount of lubrication for your car parts to move smoothly and function well
Don't panic, baby
Remain calm, don't worry or stress out about your car
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ms. Mei Mei
I’m looking for a shade tree mechanic right now. Damn tie rod broke today. I’ve been singing this song all day. Lol. So many memories of my mom and aunts playing the blues in the 80s.
syxx Poppin
😂
studybug2010
just turned 60 two months ago!!! in all my years of listening and loving this kind of music, how in the world did I miss this guy????!!! and note to those my age and older that declares a committed hatred for the internet and youtube.....I personally and glad for youtube existing and other internet forums, the like thereof. This is like the worlds biggest public library..ON STEROIDS!!!!!!
Shirley Conerly
Him and J.T. always puts the biggest smile on my face, my tee-tee lived by them and please believe everytime we went on a road trip they were in heavy rotation. R.I.L TO MY HONORARY MAMA.
Eshaisavibe
I’m sorry for your loss!🙏🏾🥰
Daphney Thomas
1:37 - 1:48 LOL, love the sound of the car trying to crank up. I grew up on down home blues, from the Mississippi Delta, but I never heard this one. Love it Mr. Z.Z. Hill...R.I.P.
Steve Wilson
Grew up in HTown TX listening with my dad to all sorts of blues but this was one of my favs! also the hard beat and the sound of the car was tight
Sarah Williams
Around the 2:43 period on the record he says " Law-w-wd!"
Pure magic.
Sarah Williams
Actually around 2:46
Fred Fred
The creative double entendres in blues music are genius.