3. 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.
4. Lightnin’ Sam Hopkins was one of Texas’s most
influential blues guitarists. Hopkins usually performed
solo, country style blues, as this picture shows.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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
8. Lightnin’ Hopkins played
both acoustic and electric
guitar. He was an
incredible guitarist, capable
of making intricate riffs
seem easy.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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”.
12. 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
13. 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.
14. Lightnin’ in Action
The following slides contain videos of the music
of Lightnin’ Hopkins, with a discussion of the
music as well.
15. “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.
16. “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.
17. “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.
18. “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.
19. “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.
20. “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.
21. “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.
22. “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.
23. "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
24. 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."
25. Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins died of cancer on January 30,
1982 in Houston, Texas. Over 4,000 people attended
his funeral.
26. 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/Lightni
nHopkins.htm>.
