CDBaby: Goin' To Mississippi
Z.Z. Hill Jr. By David Whiteis
Z.Z. Hill Jr. isn't actually related to Z.Z. Hill, and though his parched upper-register scream is clearly meant to evoke the late soul-blues belter's gospel wail, he's no mere imitator either. In fact, he lacks the taste for artifice he'd need to re-create anyone else's musical persona. On his self-released debut CD, I'm a Soul Singer!, he maintains what seems like total emotional transparency through everything from moody after-hours laments to throat-ripping testimonials.
Saloon songs usually reek of boozy self-pity, but on the minor-key "It Ain't Easy" Hill's clear, conversational baritone gives his persona a fragile vulnerability. And when he ascends into a house-wrecking holler on the Wilson Pickett remake "Green Grass," he sounds completely lost in the passion of the moment, oblivious to whether or not the tape is even rolling.
Some of his performances, especially on disc, make you wish he paid a little more attention to working his audience: "Down Home Girl," a run-of-the-mill mid-tempo blues, could have used a bit of old-fashioned showmanship to liven it up, and his relentless screaming on the ballad "Try Love One More Time" pretty much obliterates the song's core sentiment. Onstage, though, this absence of entertainer's craft isn't as conspicuous, if only because he's so riveting to watch. You never quite know when a transformation will hit him or how long it'll last, but sometimes, after breezing through most of a set, he'll happen across a lyric or a groove that inspires him and wail through verse after verse, bent almost double and pouring with sweat.
Then, as suddenly as it began, it's over, and he's crooning a mellow ballad or trading quips with his band. Saturday, 9:30 PM, Lilly's, 2513 N. Lincoln; 773-525-2422. Hill also plays every Sunday from 6 to 11 PM at the JB Lounge, 5959 W. Chicago; 773-261-8228. DAVID WHITEIS
Theater Critic's Choice - Chicago Reader Z.Z. Hill Jr. By David Whiteis
Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You
Z.Z. Hill Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We stuck together just me and you
It took a long time to get what we got today
Now you wanna give it all up for another guy
Baby, I'm tellin' you don't let the green grass fool you
Don't let it change your mind
Feel my life all over 'cause baby you got the love that I really need
'Cause if you leave, leave me this way, baby
You know what? I may not live to see a brand new day
Oh baby, don't let, the green grass fool you
Don't let it change your mind
You know why, it may be greener on the other side, baby
But right in my arms is where you belong, ooh baby
Don't let the green grass fool you
Don't let it change your mind, oh baby
It may be greener on the other side, baby
But right in my arms is where you belong, baby
Don't let the green grass fool you
Don't let it change your mind
It may be greener on the other side, baby
In my arms is where you belong, yeah
Z.Z. Hill Jr.'s song "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You" is about a man pleading with his lover to not leave him. He reminds her of the struggles they went through to get where they are today, and that if she leaves him, he may not make it through. The title of the song refers to the saying "The grass is always greener on the other side". The man is warning his lover to not be fooled by the greener grass on the other side and to stay with him because that's where she belongs.
The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has been in a relationship that is going through a rough patch. It's easy to think that the grass could be greener elsewhere or that the problems will go away if you start fresh, but Z.Z. Hill Jr. is telling us that often, we just need to work through our problems and not be tempted by the illusion of greener grass.
Overall, the song is a warning to his lover not to be fooled by the allure of something new and exciting, but to remember the love that they have built together and stay with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl try to remember when we didn't have no shoes
Think back to when we were poor and had nothing
We stuck together just me and you
We supported each other and stayed together
It took a long time to get what we got today
Our success and happiness took effort and time
Now you wanna give it all up for another guy
You're considering leaving me for someone else
Baby, I'm tellin' you don't let the green grass fool you
Don't be deceived by the idea of something better
Don't let it change your mind
Don't let it influence your decision
Feel my life all over 'cause baby you got the love that I really need
My life would be incomplete without you
'Cause if you leave, leave me this way, baby
If you go, I'll be devastated
You know what? I may not live to see a brand new day
Your departure might be the end of me
Oh baby, don't let, the green grass fool you
Don't be tempted by something that seems better
You know why, it may be greener on the other side, baby
The grass may appear greener elsewhere
But right in my arms is where you belong, ooh baby
Your place is with me, where you're loved and wanted
In my arms is where you belong, yeah
I'm the one who can make you happy and fulfilled
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JERRY AKINES, JOHNNIE BELLMON, REGINALD TURNER, VICTOR DRAYTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind