Roll 'Em Pete
Big Joe Turner Lyrics

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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 Big Joe Turner's Roll 'Em Pete have two distinct themes - the first being his love for a woman and the second being his desire to leave her due to her mistreatment of him. Turner describes his love for a woman who lives up on a hill and has diamond-like eyes that light up every time she loves him. He acknowledges that this woman is trying to quit him, but despite her efforts, he still holds a deep love for her. The lyrics then take a darker turn, with Turner stating that despite her beauty, she will eventually die one day. He expresses a desire to have some loving before she passes away, indicating an urgency for him to make the most of their time together.

In the final verse, Turner appears to have had enough of this woman's mistreatment and decides to leave her. He tells her that she has mistreated him, and now she can mistreat someone else instead of him.

One potential interpretation of these lyrics is that Turner is caught between his love for this woman and his desire for freedom from her mistreatment. He acknowledges her beauty and the intense love he has for her but also recognizes that their relationship is not healthy. He ultimately chooses to leave her, giving both himself and her the opportunity to find happiness elsewhere.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
I am in a relationship with a woman who resides on a hill.

Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord, but I love her still
My significant other is attempting to end our relationship, yet I still have strong feelings for her.

She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
Her eyes are akin to the brilliant shine of diamonds or the gold found in Klondike rivers.

Ev'ry time she loves me, she sends my mellow soul
Whenever she expresses her affection towards me, my spirit feels relaxed and at ease.

Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
Your beauty may be unmatched, but it is inevitable that you will pass away eventually.

All I want's a little loving, just before you pass away
I desire to be shown affection and love by you before your time on this earth comes to an end.

Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
My dear, I am departing and leaving you alone for a period of time.

You've mistreated me, now you can mistreat somebody else
You have acted unkindly towards me, and now you may treat another individual in the same manner.

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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Comments from YouTube:

@MrWlbblw

3y↑23

I can't believe what I'm hearing right now. It's like "Proto-Rock & Roll". These guys were 15 years ahead of their time. I can't even imagine what an audience would have thought to hear this in 1938. Probably looked a lot like the scene in Back to the Future when Marty plays guitar too loud & fast at the dance & the kids stand there with their eyes bugging & their mouths open..."What the hell was THAT?"...

@andersbjorklund9432

i would imagine that this was some dirty sexy forbidden shit in 1938, speakeasy stuff.

@paultodd9472

1y↑1

But your kids will love it! ❤️

@Sagurasu

4y↑38

Recorded in 1938-16 years before "Shake, Rattle and Roll." That's Pete Johnson on the piano!

@lastknowngood0

4y↑2

Yeah Man!

@chrisfitzhugh5167

2y↑1

I heard it was Dec 30, 1938 at Carnegie Hall

@croberts269

2y↑2

My mom and her sister used to sneak out to go to 18th & Vine to hear Joe Turner and Pete Johnson. Took 3 streetcar transfers!

@jeremimcgee280

6y↑101

This is Rock n Roll in its infancy and purest form.

@koko-pu5vn

2y↑1

I KNOW THAT'S RlGHT!! IF YOU LIKE THIS KEEP SEEKING OUT PETE JOHNSON'S SOLO MATERIAL!!

@stoneyj1a1

Precursor to rock, I wouldn't call it rock unless it has guitar

@RockNRollSurf

@@stoneyj1a1 Nah. Many of the Rock n roll songs in the 50s didn't even have guitar. For example At the Hop by Danny and the Juniors, or most of Little Richards songs. Even Jerry Lewis first song Whole Lotta Shaking Going On.

@stoneyj1a1

1y↑1

@@RockNRollSurf Actually those songs did have guitar from the other band members so then I would consider them rock. You can watch the live performances. But if no guitar i would say it's just pop or something else.

@chahtaohoyo6671

actually this song by BJT is still considered r&b in its older form but it was instrumental in paving the way for the rock sound.

2 More Replies...

@craigschultz8888

6y↑60

The roots of Rock and Roll... 🎵

@cornucopia8591

3y↑2

it isn't roots, it is fruit itself))) it is pure rock and roll

@elsantosurf

5y↑26

Big Joe Turner:
The real father of Rock n Roll

@Archives0310

and rhythm n blues of course

@plasteredbastard

3y↑5

That boogie woogie piano is the life source of this song

@dastinrevert8386

2y↑7

De cuando en cuando ocurría que las palabras de los muertos coincidía con lo que estaban pensando los vivos...

@MsZone1997

2y↑3

Rayuela me vuelve fanático de está música

@HygorLennon

5y↑29

You so beautiful but you gotta dor some day, all i want's a little lovin' before you pass away.

cheers, Cortázar!

@squeebosh8525

5y↑13

Boogie Woogie was the funnest thing I studied in my popular music class. We need to revive Boodie Woogie!!!

@kathypiazza7228

3y↑2

I am 62, when I was 3-5 I used to beg my aunt Marie to play Boogie Woogie she was 16-20 & my grandmother would stop her insisting she played proper music. I have loved this improper music (according to my grandmother & her friends) all my life.

@daveandeiffert5605

3y↑2

I am grateful to find this here! Over 50 years ago I used to listen to this recording on my parents' 78 record. It's only now I hear the precursor to rock and roll.

@clh2192

21w

See Louise Johnson "On the Wall" (1930). Rock and Roll is older than you think.

@ferdburfle7106

4y↑1

I used to sing a song called smack dab in the middle that was sung by Big Joe Turner in front of the Count Basie band. I got it from my dad's 78 acetate collection. Big Joe Turner was the man.

@davestonehill6177

5y↑28

First Rock n Roll song and now I know where Chuck got his lick from Johnny B Goode!

@deadmanrunning6670

5y↑9

Big Joe couldn't duck-walk the piano though!

@Jamie-js3qw

5y↑1

just figured that out too!!

@saltyspaceman5697

1935 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tgoLVEb0B4

@wfpelletier4348

@@saltyspaceman5697 HOLY S**T!!!! THAT IS INCREDIBLE!!!!

@kingpro192

4y↑7

From the Malcolm X movie. Great song

@daddysfavourite4056

"Get that spot! Get it!"

@luizrico8251

5y↑16

Gracias, Cortázar!

@kakhak

6y↑8

This is so great and millennial song. incredible musicians involved there: Big Joe Turner and an outstanding pianist Pete Johnson.

@timothylewis2450

Two giants.

@lionkingfan

3y↑3

Excellent piano playing

@jubalcalif9100

5y↑5

Heavens to Murgatroid ! Can't sit still listening to such classic licks ! Don't get much better than this ! Thanks for uploading ! You've made my day & my week ! CHEERS, mate ! :-)

@ferdburfle7106

4y↑1

Exit stage left

@jubalcalif9100

@@ferdburfle7106 Snaggle Puss couldn't have said it better himself !! :-)

@SnapCracklePapa

7y↑12

One morning when I was in the French Quarter of New Orleans I decided to eat at a little unpretentious joint on a corner. It was the best breakfasts I ever had. That's what this song is.

@robertoalas80

5y↑2

Cuando crees que te las podes todas, internet te desengaña y hoy descubro a este musico, ¡Los inicios del Rock, vaya sorpresa!

@miguelosvaldofloresdomingu8911

Últimamente he estado dando un repaso por la historia de la música y me doy cuenta que las raices del rock and roll son del blues y country de los años 20's. Cuando el woogie boogie y el swing de los años 30's se encontraron con el blues, country, batería, bajo y guitarra eléctrica surgió el rock and roll.

@rayonasimmons2615

3y↑2

Love music

@graemesmellie5223

5y↑1

R&B with Big Joe classic

@SEASONEDFISHER

27w

It's so 👍 👍

@kakhak

6y↑4

First rock song as well.

@francielysilva5433

8y↑11

Muito bom o começo do rock roll (1939)

@rambazamba2075

5y↑5

Rayuela

@CanisLupus123

3y↑1

Classic!

@francescgarcia7340

4y↑3

This fully qualifies as rock n'roll isn't it?

@franciscanavarro1415

4y↑3

Vine por Rayuela

@juniperwoodgreen4090

7y↑16

No one plays it like that no more...

@rolandjohansson2714

6y↑1

Yes, that's for sure. Pete, IMO the greatest. King of the top!

@milkkkk5993

4y↑14

Vengo por Rayuela

@matiascordoba1445

Somos dos...

@nicolasarmella6147

@jando8006

Que sean cuatro y sírvanme otro vodka

@andywalo5962

Pete Johnson.. but there's also Johnnie Johnson, Chuck Berry's pianist, who's also the inspiration behind Johnny B. Goode

@anabellebodington2972

Bestial!!!! YEAHHHHHH!!!!!

@nicmart

Maybe not the best compliment

@ferdburfle7106

Whatever blows your skirt up!

@brucedelaplain7138

I wanna dance now.

@retroeddie

5y↑8

There's no doubt in my mind that Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis listened closely to this song! Some of Chuck's riffs sound like they could be mimicking the piano on this song! And there's no way that Jerry Lee's piano playing wasn't influenced by this music. I'm not taking anything away from Chuck or Jerry, they are two of my favorites...but Rock and Roll was not suddenly born in the 50s folks.

@CAdams-ie2co

5y↑1

So true! I am taking a class right now on Rock&Roll and this was the first song we learned about.

@marshajohnson375

I heard this in the movie What's Love Got To Do With It.

@mikecorbett8760

Bye Joe

@yangidenlereyan

3y↑1

johnny b goode jazz like

@SlimDavenport

Epic

@lic.pedrobadillo1905

Llegaste 80 años tarde

@SEASONEDFISHER

27w

It's so good that my last comment didn't make any sense. 😂

@mainaccount131

Good

@Diana_Polanco06

Rayuela?

@luisaguilar7546

5y↑1

El rock and roll nace en 1935...

@sebastiangallagher383

5y↑1

Rhythm blues...

@rolandjohansson2714

6y↑5

Pete Jonson IMHO the greatest of the boogie woogie pno players ever, though Albert Ammons & Meadue Lux Lewis adjacent to a hundred per cent probiality played in the same division...but Pete had something more. What it was, I'm not sure about, or what it consisted of (charisma maybe?) is in this very moment out of my consciousness as music is very personal. I'm here thinking of the footage from late '30s where one can see both Pete & Albert playing. Might be that Pete's face seems so beautiful and almost smooth like a child and played the pno incredible talented vs Albert, who, ...eh, seems comparatively, objectively speaking as good. A tie down.. I dunno.... Must be these three persons were as good as any one can be and some else. Again I dunno, BUT I prefer Pete. Period. ;O)

@FireypepperCP

6y↑1

6/29/2018

@emidossoles5137

4y↑1

Vengo por Minecraft 👌

@agomez9190

capitulo 16

@benjirespect5818

Esto.....me suena a roll over beethoven. .....😒mmmm mmmm?

@joshdyer9158

6y↑2

That one dislike though.

@Jamie-js3qw

and?

@jodylee808

Its called rhythm and blues, its not early Rock N roll, Rock N roll is a form of rhythm and blues with more emphasis on guitar.

@elisabettamanca7748

@claudiodean6363

Rolo over Beethoven..... Style Chuck Berry

@sumego4180

5y↑1

Why does every Big Joe Turner song sound the same with slightly different lyrics?

@Jamie-js3qw

hmmm...Chuck Berry?

@sumego4180

5y↑1

Jamie Are you saying that all of Buck Cherry’s songs a like too?

@ethelip5239

3y↑1

He had a sound. That was his thing!

@markloveless1001

6y↑1

OK, music idiot here, but ain't this 'Statesboro Blues'? (talking Blind McTell here)

@davidstoyanoff

6y↑1

Mark Loveless not quite Statesboro Blues. But as you listen two more and more rock and roll from 50s and 60s you will hear the influences of these old Blues Masters. Many of the lyrics are recycled and repurposed I other musicians Dash

@davidstoyanoff

Nowadays I guess we would call it sampling

@Adam-hs1ft

It's arranged the same. It's a twelve-bar blues progression. A lot of blues, country and rock and roll use it. Johnny B. Goode, Statesboro Blues, Pride and Joy, and so many others.