Final Project: Lightnin' Hopkins

MUS 1234 Final Project

Van Rebstock

Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins

Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins was born on March 15, 1912 in Centerville, Texas. His brother Joel, who was also a blues musician, taught him how to play guitar.

Lightnin’ Sam Hopkins was one of Texas’s most influential blues guitarists. Hopkins usually performed solo, country style blues, as this picture shows.

Lightnin’ Style

Lightnin’ Hopkins’ music had a distinctive finger picking style in which he would alternate single-note leads with rhythm and bass guitar. He also added more depth to his songs by using tapping his guitar body to make beats.

Musical Qualities

Hopkins was known for his diverse lyrics that featured themes such as life in the South, sex, and troubled romance.

Hopkins also incorporated comedy into his lyrics, which I particularly enjoyed.

Lightnin’ Hopkins’ music featured a talking blues style, and his soulful voice added a unique energy to his music.

Hopkins was able to improvise lyrics for nearly any situation that he was in, which made his music particularly unique. Chris Strachwitz discusses this in an interview about Lightnin' Hopkins.

Here is the link to the interview video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/VW401FcAAnc

Lightnin’ Hopkins played both acoustic and electric guitar. He was an incredible guitarist, capable of making intricate riffs seem easy.

In 1920 Hopkins met Blind Lemon Jefferson, a legendary blues musician, and was able to play with him. A few years later Hopkins served as Jefferson’s guide and apprentice.

Lightnin’ Hopkins began playing with his cousin Texas Alexander while he was a teenager, and they performed across Eastern Texas playing at small venues.

In the mid 1930s, Hopkins was arrested for an unknown reason and spent time in Houston County Prison Farm. When he was freed, he began playing with his cousin again.

In 1946 Hopkins was discovered by a talent scout for Aladdin Records in Houston, Texas, and he traveled to Los Angeles, California to record his music. During this time he got his nickname “Lightnin’”.

He recorded with pianist Wilson Smith who became known as “Thunder”.

During his first recording session, Lightnin’ Hopkins recorded “Katie Mae Blues” which became his first regional hit, along with other titles. Hopkins continued to record for the rest of his musical career, recording nearly 1,000 songs for 20 labels. Because of this, Hopkins was possibly the most recorded blues musician of all time.

Hopkins would generally demand the full payment before he would record any of his songs, and would only record one take of the song. Because of his popularity, however, this didn’t stop producers from recording him.

Lightnin’ in Action

The following slides contain videos of the music of Lightnin’ Hopkins, with a discussion of the music as well.

“Katie Mae”

Here is the link to the YouTube video of “Katie Mae”: http://youtu.be/KAe11J6Y5wI

This song was Hopkins’ first hit, and it is obvious why. The song is catchy and enjoyable to listen to, with Lightnin’s unique guitar style and his authentic blues voice. This song resembles Hopkins’ solo acoustic style, although there are quiet drums in the background.

“Mojo Hand”

Here is the link to the YouTube video of “Mojo Hand”: http://youtu.be/W4IS0TDcYEs

“Mojo Hand” sounds similar to mainstream blues, and it sounds like there are three instruments being played: guitar, drums, and bass. However, it was only Hopkins and a drummer performing. Lightnin’s deep, intricate guitar playing made all of his songs unique and fascinating to listen to.

“Lonesome Road”

Here is the link to the YouTube video of “Lonesome Road”: http://youtu.be/NVF-0JKLnd4

This video of “Lonesome Road” is a great example of Lightnin’s solo acoustic blues style. His vocals exhibit the talking blues quality, and his intricate guitar playing is quite impressive.

“Baby Please Don’t Go”

Here is the link to the YouTube video of Lightnin’ performing “Baby Please Don’t Go”: http://youtu.be/d49m6G9vOrI

Although Lightnin’ Hopkins didn’t write this song, it is still a great example of Lightnin’s style and talent. The original version of "Baby Please Don't Go" was recorded by Big Joe Williams in 1935.

“Goin Down Slow”

Here is the link to the YouTube video of “Goin Down Slow”: http://youtu.be/XQQ4YTL1P1A

In “Goin Down Slow”, Hopkins talks about life and death, saying that “I’ve had my fun if I don’t get well no more”. This video really shows Lightnin’s playing style: his thumb plays the bass notes and his other fingers play the rest.

“Cotton”

Here is the link to “Cotton”: http://youtu.be/cFN9lebEvF0

“Cotton” related particularly to Hopkins’ life because he grew up on a cotton farm. Referring to himself as “Ol’ Lightnin’”, and “Po’ Lightnin’” he sings about the hardships he endured picking cotton. The electric guitar in this song was mellow and catchy, and the simple drums in the background added to the effect.

“Bring Me My Shotgun”

Here is the link to “Bring Me My Shotgun”: http://youtu.be/KCqEOboRctY

In this song Hopkins tells about his unfaithful woman, saying that “she fools around with too many men”. The song takes on a dark tone, as Lightnin’ talks about killing his unfaithful woman and throwing her in the well, but then at the end of the song decides not to. This song directly exhibited the theme of troubled romance which is present in many of Lightnin’s songs.

“Shake That Thing”

Here is the link to “Shake That Thing”: http://youtu.be/j2s4qfhX3Rw

In this song, Lightnin’ uses comedy to talk about a woman, saying “Whoa baby, I don’t know your name, but I do believe (oh yeah) you can shake that thing!” The guitar and drums then start up quickly, and this upbeat song becomes really catchy. Once again, it is hard to believe that Hopkins is playing guitar without a bassist: the song sounds incredibly full with just his guitar.

"Where Lightnin' Strikes"

This video does a great job at showing the impact that Lightnin’ Hopkins had on the Blues. It is the trailer for the documentary "Where Lightnin' Strikes," about the life and times of Lightnin’ Hopkins. In the video Jimmie Vaughan and B.B. King share their impressions of Hopkins.

Here is the link to the video: http://youtu.be/KCqEOboRctY

Recognitions/Awards

Hopkins was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980.

He is considered one of the top 100 guitarists of all time, listed as #71 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins died of cancer on January 30, 1982 in Houston, Texas. Over 4,000 people attended his funeral.

Works Cited

Dahl, Bill. "Lightnin' Hopkins." AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Web. 01 Nov. 2011. <http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lightnin-hopkins-p87808/biography>.

Gordon, Keith A. "Sam Lightnin' Hopkins - Profile of Texas Blues Legend Sam Lightnin' Hopkins." About.com Blues - Blues Music News, Reviews and History by Guide Rev. Keith A. Gordon. About.com. Web. 01 Nov. 2011. <http://blues.about.com/od/artistprofile1/p/LightninHopkins.htm>.

Works Cited (picture credits)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightnin'_Hopkins

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blindlemonjeffersoncirca1926.jpg

http://thm7.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/lightnin-hopkins.jpg

http://media.jazzstore.com/products/00/0013/00133613/lightnin-hopkins-t-shirt.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/blarmer/image/109169630/original.jpg

http://www.wirz.de/music/hopkins/grafik/a167a4.jpg

http://www.shroomangel.com/shroom/images/lightnin.gif

http://todayinafricanamericanhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/lightnin-hopkins.jpg

http://bluesrevue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Blues-Hall-of-Fame-LOGO.jpg

http://nightwatchmanmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/n10664530778_931974_1759.jpeg

http://michaelpsmithphotography.com/jazzfest/pages/images/DSC_0028.jpg

http://outdoor-lightszone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/lightnin-hopkins.jpg

http://www.chron.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1213846&width=628&height=471