Naturally was recorded independently, “on spec”, the musicians being paid demo fees. Some songs, such as “Call Me the Breeze”, were recorded with primitive drum machine accompaniment and sound almost like demos.
The album showcased Cale’s distinctive, understated style, and it successfully established his solo recording career which continues to the present day. The album was originally released on Leon Russell’s “Shelter” label, spawning the 1972 hits “Crazy Mama” (Billboard Hot 100 #22- his only Top 40 hit) and “After Midnight” (#42) as well as turntable hits “Bringing it Back” (recorded by Kansas in their first album), “Call Me the Breeze” (later recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd) and “Clyde” (later recorded by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, and a 1980 country hit for Waylon Jennings).
Track listing
01. Call Me the Breeze
02. Call the Doctor
03. Don’t go to Strangers
04. Woman I Love
05. Magnolia
06. Clyde
07. Crazy Mama
08. Nowhere to Run
09. After Midnight
10. River Runs Deep
11. Bringing it Back
12. Crying Eyes
Personnel
JJ Cale – guitar, vocals
Karl Himmel – drums
Chuck Browning – drums
Tim Drummond – drums
Carl Radle – bass
Norbert Putnam – bass
Bob Wilson – piano
David Briggs – piano, organ
Jerry Whitehurst – piano
Weldon Myrick – steel guitar
Buddy Spicher – fiddle
Shorty Lavender – fiddle
Walter Hayness – dobro
Mac Gayden – slide guitar
Ed Colis – harmonica
Diane Davidson – backing vocals
Produced by Audie Ashworth
Call Me The Breeze
J.J. Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I keep blowing down the road
They call me the breeze,
I keep blowing down the road
I ain't got me nobody,
I ain't carrying me no load
Ain't no change in the weather,
Ain't no change in me
Ain't no change in the weather,
Ain't no change in me
I ain't hidin' from nobody,
Ain't nobody hidin' from me
I got that green light, babe,
I got to keep moving on
I got that green light, babe,
I got to keep moving on
I might go out to California,
Might go down to Georgia,
Might stay home
The song "Call Me The Breeze" by J.J. Cale speaks about a wanderer who is always on the move. The singer of the song is essentially saying that he is like the breeze - always on the go, with no one to tie him down. He has no responsibilities, no commitments, and he is free to go wherever the wind takes him. He is a lone traveler, not afraid of anything or anyone. The weather might change, but he remains unchanged. He is on the move and will keep moving, coast to coast, looking for new things to discover.
The song has a sense of freedom and adventure that speaks to the heart of many people. It's about living life without regrets and taking every opportunity that comes your way. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, but they deliver a powerful message. The steady beat of the music and the unchanging rhythm mirrors the singer's steadfast determination to keep moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me the breeze,
People refer to me as the wind,
I keep blowing down the road
I keep moving forward without any hindrance
I ain't got me nobody,
I am alone and not in a relationship with anyone
I ain't carrying me no load
I am living an unburdened life without any responsibilities or worries
Ain't no change in the weather,
The climate remains the same and unaffected by my actions
Ain't no change in me
I remain the same, unaltered by my surroundings
I ain't hidin' from nobody,
I am not avoiding anyone or anything
Ain't nobody hidin' from me
Nobody is afraid of me or avoiding me
I got that green light, babe,
I have the approval to keep moving forward
I got to keep moving on
I must continue to progress and move forward
I might go out to California,
I am considering going to California
Might go down to Georgia,
I am considering going to Georgia
Might stay home
Alternatively, I might choose to stay where I am currently
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John J. Cale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind