Meaning: The quote "When I was hitch-hiking, people had to follow me, 'cause I didn't stay long" by Brownie McGhee, a renowned musician, reflects the transient and spontaneous nature of his lifestyle as a traveler. Brownie McGhee was an influential blues guitarist and singer who was known for his raw and emotive performances. Born in 1915 in Tennessee, McGhee's musical career spanned several decades, and he became a prominent figure in the blues and folk music scene.

In this quote, McGhee captures the essence of his itinerant lifestyle during his hitch-hiking days. The act of hitch-hiking itself embodies a sense of movement, unpredictability, and impermanence. It involves relying on the generosity of strangers for transportation, making it a mode of travel characterized by chance encounters and fleeting connections.

The phrase "people had to follow me, 'cause I didn't stay long" suggests that McGhee's approach to hitch-hiking was one of constant motion and restlessness. He did not linger in one place for too long, prompting others to keep up with his pace if they wanted to accompany him on his journey. This sentiment speaks to the free-spirited and independent nature of McGhee's travels, as well as his willingness to embrace the unknown and embrace the impermanence of each stop along the way.

McGhee's experiences as a hitch-hiker likely contributed to his broader understanding of the world and the diverse communities he encountered. His travels would have exposed him to a range of cultures, landscapes, and individuals, providing him with a rich tapestry of experiences that would undoubtedly influence his music and worldview.

As a musician, McGhee's nomadic lifestyle may have also informed his approach to music-making. The transient nature of hitch-hiking and the constant movement from place to place could have instilled in him a sense of adaptability, spontaneity, and improvisation, which are all essential elements of blues music. Additionally, the people he met and the stories he heard during his travels likely served as inspiration for the heartfelt and soulful lyrics that characterized his music.

The quote also reflects a sense of agency and autonomy on McGhee's part. By choosing to embrace a lifestyle of constant movement and exploration, he took control of his own narrative and charted his own path, rather than conforming to societal expectations or traditional modes of travel. This assertion of independence and self-determination is a recurring theme in McGhee's music, as he often sang about personal struggles, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom.

In conclusion, Brownie McGhee's quote about hitch-hiking encapsulates the adventurous, spontaneous, and transient nature of his experiences as a traveler. It reflects his willingness to embrace the unknown, his independence, and his capacity for adaptability – qualities that undoubtedly shaped both his personal journey and his musical legacy. McGhee's life and career serve as a testament to the profound impact of travel and exploration on artistic expression and personal growth.