James was born fifty miles north of Jackson (not to be confused with another Richland just south of Jackson). He began playing as a teen, under the names "Cleanhead" and "Joe Willie James", alongside musicians such as the first Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson. During World War II James joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Guam.
Upon his discharge James returned to central Mississippi and eventually settled in Canton. He began recording with Trumpet Records in nearby Jackson in January 1951, first as sideman to the second Sonny Boy Williamson and others, then debuting as a session leader in August with what became his signature song, "Dust My Broom". It was a surprise R&B hit in 1952 and turned James into a star. His "I Believe" was another hit a year later. During the 1950s he recorded for the Bihari Brothers' Flair and Modern labels, as well as for Chess Records. His backing musicians were known as the Broomdusters. In 1959 he began recording what are perhaps his best sides for Bobby Robinson's Fire Records label. These include "The Sky Is Crying" (credited to Elmo James and His Broomdusters), "Stranger Blues", "Look On Yonder Wall", "Done Somebody Wrong", and "Shake Your Moneymaker", all of which are among the most famous of blues recordings.
The slide guitar riff from "Dust My Broom" is one of the best-known openings in all of blues.
Elmore James died of his third heart attack in Chicago in 1963, already a major influence on guitarists such as The Rolling Stones' Brian Jones. His classic "Done Somebody Wrong" and "One Way Out" were often covered by The Allman Brothers Band, who cited James as a major influence. James was also covered by blues-rock band Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble many times in concert. The most famous of these covers is Vaughan's take on James's legendary recording, "The Sky Is Crying". James is mentioned in The Beatles' song "For You Blue". While John Lennon plays the slide guitar, James' trademark, George Harrison says "Go, Johnny, go ... Elmore James got nothin' on this, baby." Another famous guitarist who admired Elmore James was Jimi Hendrix. On a sleeve of the posthumously released Hendrix CD Blues, there is a photo of Hendrix wearing his famous military jacket and holding Elmore James's vinyl.
Dust My Broom
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
Out with the best gal I'm lovin'
Now my friends can get in my room
I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know
I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know
If I don't find her in Mississippi
She be in East Monroe I know
And I don't want no woman
Want every downtown man she meets
No I don't want no woman
Want every downtown man she meets
Man, she's a no good doney
They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I ain't gonna leave my baby
And break up my happy home
Elmore James's "Dust My Broom" is a blues classic, featuring powerful vocals and electrifying guitar work. The song is about a man who is getting ready to leave his woman, as she has been unfaithful to him with several other men. He is determined to move on from the relationship and start fresh with someone new. The lyrics suggest that he is willing to do whatever it takes to find a woman who will be faithful and loyal to him. He plans to leave town and search for his new love, using any means necessary to find her. The chorus includes the repetition of the phrase "I believe I'll dust my broom", which is a metaphor for cleaning up the past and moving on to a fresh start.
The song is a reflection of the pain and betrayal that often comes with love, and the hope that there is someone out there who will be faithful and true. The lyrics suggest that the singer is seeking love that is pure, honest, and unencumbered by the betrayal and infidelity that he has experienced in the past. His words are infused with a sense of determination and grit, as he sets out to find a better life and a better love for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I plan to wake up early in the morning
I believe I'll dust my broom
I am going to leave and move on from my current situation
Out with the best gal I'm lovin'
I will be going out with the woman I love most
Now my friends can get in my room
I don't care if my friends spend time in my room while I'm gone
I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know
I will reach out to everyone I know to try and find her
If I don't find her in Mississippi
If she's not in Mississippi,
She be in East Monroe I know
I believe she is in East Monroe
And I don't want no woman
I don't want a woman who
Want every downtown man she meets
Is interested in every man she meets in town
Man, she's a no good doney
She is an untrustworthy person
They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah
She shouldn't be allowed to be out in public
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I feel like I don't have much time left
I ain't gonna leave my baby
I won't leave my loved one behind
And break up my happy home
And ruin my family life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Elmore, Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind