Albert C. Ammons (March 1, 1907 – December 2, 1949) was an American boogie-… Read Full Bio ↴Albert C. Ammons (March 1, 1907 – December 2, 1949) was an American boogie-woogie pianist.

Ammons formed his own band in 1934, and in 1938 performed in the Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall, which among other achievements launched the boogie-woogie craze. He and two other performers at the concert, Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson, became the leading boogie-woogie pianists of the day. The three worked together at Café Society and also toured and recorded as a trio.

His biggest hit was "Swanee River Boogie". Ammons played the melody of "Old Folks at Home" over a boogie woogie bass. The recording was used as a theme song by pioneer rhythm and blues disk jockey Gene Nobles on WLAC radion in the 1950s.

He worked steadily till his death in 1949; he played at Harry S. Truman's inauguration that year.

He is the father of tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons.

Ammons has had wide influence on countless pianists such as Dave Alexander, Dr. John, Hadda Brooks, Johnnie Johnson, Ray Bryant, Erroll Garner, Frank Muschalle, Katie Webster, Axel Zwingenberger, and another German pianist, Joerg Hegemann, who honoured Ammons on the occasion of his 100th birthday in 2007 with his album A Tribute To Albert Ammons.

Roll 'em
Albert Ammons Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord, but I love her still
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
Ev'ry time she loves me, she sends my mellow soul
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday

All I want's a little loving, just before you pass away
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself

Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
You've mistreated me, now you can mistreat somebody else

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Albert Ammons's song Roll 'em are a combination of joyful and melancholic emotions. The song describes a man's unrequited love for his lady who resides on a hill. Despite her attempts to leave him, he still loves her passionately. He describes her beauty as unmatched, and her love as one that soothes his soul. However, he also acknowledges the fleeting nature of her beauty and that eventually, she will pass away.

The song presents a look at love that is both painful and beautiful. It showcases the human condition of loving someone deeply even when they do not reciprocate those feelings. The lyrics are imbued with nostalgic feelings and offer the listener a glimpse into Ammons's emotional world.

In essence, the song is a celebration of the joys and pains of life and love. The melody offers an energetic beat with an uplifting piano sound that accompanies the lyrics perfectly. The listener cannot help but sway and dance to the tune while absorbing the bittersweet lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I got a gal
I have a girlfriend

She lives up on the hill
She lives far away

Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord
My girlfriend is trying to break up with me

But I love her still
But I still love her

She's got eyes like diamonds
My girlfriend's eyes are bright and beautiful

They shine like Klondike gold
They are as brilliant as gold in Klondike

Every time she loves me
When she shows me affection

She sends my mellow soul
It makes me feel relaxed and content

Well, you're so beautiful
You are incredibly attractive

You've got to die someday
Everyone eventually dies

All I want's a little loving
But before that happens, I want some affection

Just before you pass away
Right before you die

Pretty baby, I'm goin' away
I am leaving, my dear

And leave you by yourself
And leaving you alone

You've mistreated me
You have treated me badly

Now you can mistreat somebody else
So now you can treat someone else poorly.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joe Turner, Pete K. H. Johnson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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