Born James Moore in Lobdel, Louisiana, the eldest in an orphaned family, Moore worked as a longshoreman and building worker during the late 1930s and early 1940s. One of the foremost proponents of post-war rural blues, he began performing in Baton Rouge bars under the name Harmonica Slim. He later accompanied Lightning Slim, his brother-in-law, both live and in the studio, before commencing his own recording career in 1957.
Named Slim Harpo by producer Jay Miller, the artist's solo debut coupled "I'm A King Bee" with "I Got Love If You Want It". Influenced by Jimmy Reed, he began recording for Excello and enjoyed a string of popular R&B singles which combined a drawling vocal with incisive harmonica passages. Among them were "Rainin' In My Heart" (1961), "I Love The Life I Live", "Buzzin'" (instrumental) and "Little Queen Bee" (1964). On these hits he was accompanied by understated electric backing from the regular stable of Excello musicians — including Lazy Lester, whom Harpo influenced.
The singer was known as one of the masters of the blues harmonica; the name "Slim Harpo" was a humorous takeoff on "slim harp," the popular nickname for the harmonica in blues circles.
Harpo was the point man of the 1950s Louisiana Swamp/Blues movement. Harpo, along with Lightning Slim, Lazy Lester, Lonesome Sundown, and a dozen other downhome artists recorded for A&R man J.D. Miller in Crowley, Louisiana. The records were then issued on the Excello label, based in Nashville.
Harpo's relaxed, almost lazy, performances set the tone for his subsequent work. His warm, languid voice enhanced the sexual metaphor of "I'm A King Bee", which was later recorded by the Rolling Stones. The same group also covered the pulsating "Shake Your Hips", which Harpo first issued in 1966, while the Pretty Things, the Yardbirds and Them featured versions of his songs in their early repertoires. Later, the riff from Harpo's hit "Shake Your Hips" was used in the ZZ Top hit "La Grange," and the Rolling Stones covered the song on their 1972 album, Exile On Main Street. Harpo enjoyed a notable US Top 20 pop hit in 1966 with "Baby Scratch My Back" (also a number 1 R&B hit), which revitalized his career.
Never a full-time musician, Harpo had his own trucking business during the 1960s, although he was a popular figure in the late 1960s blues revival, with appearances at several renowned venues including the Electric Circus and the Fillmore East. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack on 31 January 1970 at the age of 46, and was buried in Mulatto Bend Cemetery in Port Allen, Louisiana.
I'm a King Bee
Slim Harpo Lyrics
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Buzzing around your hive
Well, I'm a king bee
Buzzing around your hive
Well, I can make honey baby
Let me come inside
I'm young and able
To buzz all night long
I'm young and able
To buzz all night long
Well, when you hear me buzzin' baby
Some stinging is going on
Well
Buzz a while
Sting it, then
Well, I'm a king bee
Want you to be my queen
Well, I'm a king bee
Want you to be my queen
Together we can make honey
The world ever never seen
Well, I'm a king bee
Can buzz all night long
Well, I'm a king bee
Can buzz all night long
Well, I can buzz better, baby
When your man is gone
The song "I'm A King Bee" is about a man who compares himself to a king bee who is buzzing around a hive. He portrays himself as young and able, and is asking the woman to let him come inside so he can make honey. The "stinging" reference seems to suggest that he's going to provide her with some sweet pleasure, but he might leave her with some pain, as there may be consequences to sleeping with him.
He then expresses his desire for her to be his queen, saying that together they can make some amazing honey that the world has never seen before. He repeats that he can buzz all night long and that he buzzes better when her man is gone, making his intentions quite clear.
The lyrics are lightheartedly suggestive and use the imagery of bees and honey to convey the sexual tone of the song. The message seems to be that the man is eager to provide the woman with pleasure but also warns of some potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm a king bee
I am a dominant and powerful figure
Buzzing around your hive
I am interested in you and your environment
Well, I can make honey baby
I have the ability to provide pleasure and satisfaction
Let me come inside
I want to be intimate with you
I'm young and able
I am youthful and strong
To buzz all night long
I am capable of performing for an extended period of time
Well, when you hear me buzzin' baby
My performance will be noticeable and impactful
Some stinging is going on
My actions may have consequences
Buzz a while
Experience my performance
Sting it, then
Feel the aftermath of my performance
Want you to be my queen
I desire you to be my partner and equal
Together we can make honey
We can create something beautiful and sweet together
The world ever never seen
Our creation will be unique and stand out
Can buzz all night long
I have the stamina to perform for an extended period of time
Well, I can buzz better, baby
My performance will improve without the presence of competition
When your man is gone
I am aware of my competition and will take advantage of the opportunity presented by his absence
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: James Moore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind