You don’t get the nickname “Lightnin’” for no reason, especially when you’re a blues artist. Born March 15, 1912, in Centerville, Texas, Samuel John “Lightnin’” Hopkins became one of the most significant blues players of the early and mid-20th century.
Here below, we wanted to explore a trio of songs from Hopkins that have since stood the test of time. Three tunes that not only stand on their own two feet but have gone on to influence blues players, rockers, and others for decades since. Indeed, these are three eternal songs from blues master Lightnin’ Hopkins.
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“Baby Please Don’t Go,” (Single, 1947)
This traditional blues song from the Mississippi Delta was recorded by Lightnin’ Hopkins in 1947. Here below, fans can enjoy a live recording of Hopkins playing the song on his acoustic. Listeners may recognize the track, which was made famous in the latter half of the 20th century by Van Morrison. But before all the pomp and circumstance of more modern production methods, it was artists like Hopkins who were doing it all on a single six-string. And on the track, the blues master sings,
Baby, please don’t go
Baby, please don’t go
Baby, please don’t go back to New Orleans
You know I love you so
Baby, please don’t go
Got me way down here
You got me way down here
Before I be your dog
I’ll make you alone
Baby, please don’t go
Baby, please don’t go
“I Woke Up This Morning” from Down Home Blues (1964)
The second track from Hopkins 1964 LP Down Home Blues, this song has so much style and swagger. Hopkins sings it as if still half asleep but at the same time there is so much rock punch it could fill a museum in Cleveland. It’s no wonder British bands devoured this stuff even when American audiences wouldn’t, and they shipped it back to the United States during the British Invasion. A fine musician, Hopkins was an excellent storyteller, too. His voice was captivating, his touch spare and impeccable. And on this song, he sings,
This morning I woke up, woke up, I woke up this morning
Yes, poor Lightin’ sure was please
Woah, I woke up this morning
Yes, poor Lightin’ sure was please
Woah, I heard somebody callin’
That were my little girl callin’ me
She called kind of lonesome, she said
She said “Lightin’, oh Lightnin’
Darlin’, do you know something keeps on worrying me
Woah, lord have mercy
Yes, something keeps on worryin’ me
Woah, I know just around here somewhere
But I’m bothered wondering where can you be”
And I broke down, and I cried a little while I say
“Mojo Hand” from Mojo Hand (1960)
The opening song for the 1960 album of the same name, fans can see Hopkins play this track in the live video here below. The song talks about going to Louisiana to get some magic so he can ensure his love doesn’t fall in with another. But more than the lyrics, to watch the guitar work on this recording is to see the roots of pretty much every genre of popular music today. Beat, rhythm, melody, simplicity, and expression—all wrapped up in one. Hopkins epitomizes and personifies music. On the tune, he sings,
I’m goin’ to Louisiana and get me a mojo hand
I’m goin’ to Louisiana and get me a mojo hand
I’m gonna fix my woman so
She can’t have no other man
Cold ground was my bed last night
Rocks were my pillow too
Cold ground was my bed last night
Rocks were my pillow too
I woke up this morning, I was wondering
What am I gonna do?
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Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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