Robert Clark Seger (/ˈsiːɡər/, born May 6, 1945) is an American singer-song… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Clark Seger (/ˈsiːɡər/, born May 6, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist. As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s. By the early 1970s, he had dropped the 'System' from his recordings and continued to strive for broader success with various other bands. In 1973, he put together the Silver Bullet Band, with a group of Detroit-area musicians, with whom he became most successful on the national level with the album Live Bullet (1976), recorded live with the Silver Bullet Band in 1975 at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1976, he achieved a national breakout with the studio album Night Moves. On his studio albums, he also worked extensively with the Alabama-based Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, which appeared on several of Seger's best-selling singles and albums.

Seger's first marriage in 1968 lasted for "one day short of a year". He had a long-term relationship with Jan Dinsdale from 1972 until 1983. In 1987, he married actress Annette Sinclair and they divorced one year later. He married Juanita Dorricott in 1993, in a small private setting at The Village Club, in Bloomfield Hills; they have two children. Seger lives mainly at his home in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. He owns a condo in Naples, Florida.

Politically, Seger has characterized himself as a centrist: "[I'm] right down the middle", he remarked. He supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. He tackled antiestablishment themes in early songs such as "2+2=?" (1968) and "U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)" (1974), according to Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press. On his 2014 album Ride Out, he addressed topics such as gun violence, and wrote "It's Your World" about climate change. On the subject, he said, "There are a lot of culprits in climate change, and everybody's responsible, myself included. Nobody gets a free pass on this one. We've got to change our ways and change them fast.

A roots rocker with a classic raspy, shouting voice, Seger wrote and recorded songs that deal with love, women and blue-collar themes and is an example of heartland rock. Seger has recorded many hits, including "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man", "Night Moves", "Turn the Page", "Still the Same", "We've Got Tonight", "Against the Wind", "You'll Accomp'ny Me", "Shame on the Moon", "Like a Rock", and "Shakedown", which was written for Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). Seger also co-wrote the Eagles' number-one hit "Heartache Tonight", and his iconic recording of "Old Time Rock and Roll" was named one of the Songs of the Century in 2001.

With a career spanning six decades, Seger continues to perform and record today. Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. Seger was named Billboard's 2015 Legend of Live honoree at the 12th annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, held November 18–19 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

Seger was known as one of the last holdouts regarding making his catalog available for digital download and streaming. However, as of 2017, much of his work is available.

Jesse James
Bob Seger Lyrics

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He killed many a man
And he roamed over the Scarsdale range
Robbin' from the rich
And givin' to the poor
He was dark and cold and full of rage
Oh yes he was, sing with me
Poor Jesse had a wife
To mourn for his life

And three children
They were oh so brave
But that dirty little coward
He went and shot Mr. Howard
Laid poor Jesse in his grave yeah

It was on a Saturday night
When Jesse was at home
Talking to old railroad Jed
Along come Robert Ford
Like a thief in the night
And he shot poor Jesse in the back

Poor Jesse had a wife
To mourn for his life
Three children
They were oh so brave
But that dirty little coward
He went and shot Mr. Howard
Laid poor Jesse in his grave yeah

He lays
Six feet under the ground

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bob Seger's song "James Jesse" tell the story of Jesse James, a notorious outlaw who robbed banks and trains throughout the American West in the late 1800s. The song describes James as a man who was full of rage and willing to kill to achieve his goals. He is portrayed as a Robin Hood-like figure who stole from the rich to give to the poor. The mention of the Scarsdale range is likely a reference to the area where James and his gang operated.

The song then recounts how Jesse James was betrayed by one of his own men, Robert Ford, who shot him in the back while he was talking to a friend. Jesse's death is described as a tragedy, leaving behind a wife and children who were left to mourn for their loss. The lyrics suggest that Jesse's killer was a coward for shooting him in the back.

Line by Line Meaning

He killed many a man
He murdered multiple men

And he roamed over the Scarsdale range
He traveled across the Scarsdale range

Robbin' from the rich
He stole from the wealthy

And givin' to the poor
He gave his loot to those in need

He was dark and cold and full of rage
He was an angry and dangerous individual

Oh yes he was, sing with me
The singer is emphasizing and encouraging the previous line

Poor Jesse had a wife
Jesse had a spouse who relied on him

To mourn for his life
His wife grieved his death

And three children
Jesse fathered three kids

They were oh so brave
His children were courageous

But that dirty little coward
The person who killed Jesse is being insulted

He went and shot Mr. Howard
The killer shot Mr. Howard and by doing so, also killed Jesse

Laid poor Jesse in his grave yeah
Jesse was buried after his death

It was on a Saturday night
The murder took place on a weekend night

When Jesse was at home
Jesse was in his own house

Talking to old railroad Jed
Jesse was having a conversation with someone named old railroad Jed

Along come Robert Ford
Robert Ford arrived abruptly

Like a thief in the night
Robert Ford came in secret, quietly and unexpectedly

And he shot poor Jesse in the back
Robert Ford shot Jesse from behind

He lays
Jesse is resting in his grave

Six feet under the ground
Jesse's buried six feet below the earth's surface

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RY COODER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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