One of 13 children, John learned guitar from Treme neighborhood characters like Roy Montrell, Papoose Nelson and George Davis. His recording career begins when his band "Deacon John and the Ivories", became the hard working hot house band circa 1960 at New Orleans' now shuttered, but legendary live music spot the Dew Drop Inn. After producer Allen Toussaint saw him, he was soon playing guitar on various sessions for the Minit and Alon labels amongst others. Moore eventually recorded as a featured artist for Rip Records in in 1962, waxing releasing "I Can't Wait" b/w "When I'm With You". With limited income from 45's, to support himself Moore really earned his chops and suppers on hot wild nights at chitlin circuit venues including The College Inn in Thibodaux, backing greats like Little Esther, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, Earl King,Chubby Checker, and Hank Ballard. He also made other solo records for labels like Wand and Bell.
He earned the nickname the "Creole Chameleon" from New Orleans music historian Jeff Hannusch for his ability to stay up with musical trends. " I liked rock ‘n’ roll. I was the only black guy at the Beatles concert at City Park, it was like a fly in a bowl of soup" Moore told Y'at Magazine in an interview. Whether kicking out Hendrix inspired psychedelic soul with his late 60's era Electric Soul Train band with Art & Cyrille Neville, Jimmy Cliff covers in the early 70's, urban contemporary funk & jazz in the 80's, or Jump Blues in the recent swing revival of the late 1990's and early 2000's, Deacon John Moore is an all around musician and consummate performer.
His 2003 DVD/CD concert film "Deacon John’s Jump Blues", shot on 35mm and HD is undoubtedly the peak of his 40 year run, and the ever humble John told interviewer Dan Gilbert before it's release, "Why me? I guess all the rest of the cats are dead, I outlived the competition!" The DVD features historical documentary interviews and concert footage of Moore alongside contemporaries like Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Wardell Quezergue, The Zion Harmonizers and his hot jump blues band that includes such members as Herlin Riley on drums, Carl Blouin, Sr, on baritone; Amadee Castenell and Joseph Saulsbury on tenor; Julius Handy on alto; Jeffery Albert and Jerome Verges, Jr. on trombone; and Bernard Floyd and Brian Murray on trumpets.
Piece Of My Heart
Deacon John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spinning so fast, but for some it just ends
Keep moving on quiet as kept
It hasn’t been long, hasn’t sunken in yet
Then I fall into pieces
I’m here and you’ve left
Fall into pieces
Separate like a puzzle floating in space
So lost in this galaxy of life
So lost
There’s so many things we haven’t said
There’s so many places never went
Wish you could visit every now and then
Oh I keep pretending like I understand
Was it something that I could prevent?
Oh I miss you like a piece is gone
So lost
Cause I fall into pieces
I’m here and you’ve left
Oh I fall into pieces
Never seeing you again
I separate like a puzzle and I’m floating in space
So lost in this galaxy of life
So I rise and fall like the tide
And I’m so full and empty inside
All those memories linger in my mind
Wish you were here with me
I said I fall into pieces
I’m here and you’ve left
Oh I fall into pieces
I’ll never see you again
I separate like a puzzle and I’m floating in space
So lost in this galaxy of life
The lyrics of Deacon John's song "Piece Of My Heart" speaks about the feeling of loss, grief, and confusion that comes with losing someone dear. The world seems to be spinning so fast and everything seems upside down, but the singer keeps moving on quietly, trying to make sense of the situation. The feeling of loss hasn't sunk in yet, and as the song progresses, we see the singer falling into pieces, unable to come to terms with the situation. The metaphor of being separate like a puzzle floating in space is used to emphasize the feeling of disconnection and alienation that comes with loss.
The singer acknowledges that there are so many things left unsaid, so many places that they didn't go to, and wishes that the departed could visit from time to time. Despite pretending to understand, the singer wonders if there was something they could have done to prevent the loss. The feeling of missing a piece is palpable, and the singer feels lost and adrift in this galaxy of life.
The chorus repeats the metaphor of falling into pieces and being separated like a puzzle, emphasizing the singer's internal disintegration. The refrain "I'll never see you again" is particularly poignant, as it drives home the finality of the loss. The bridge speaks about the ebb and flow of emotions, fullness and emptiness mingling together, and memories lingering in the mind. The singer wishes that the departed was still here with them, but the reality is that they must continue floating in this galaxy of life, not quite whole without that missing piece.
Line by Line Meaning
Make sense of the world when it’s upside down
Trying to understand things when everything is disoriented
Spinning so fast, but for some it just ends
Life is fast-paced, but can end suddenly for some
Keep moving on quiet as kept
Carry on without drawing attention to oneself
It hasn’t been long, hasn’t sunken in yet
Not enough time to fully comprehend the situation
Then I fall into pieces
Emotional breakdown
I’m here and you’ve left
Feelings of abandonment
Fall into pieces
Emotional and mental collapse
I’ll never see you again
Permanent loss
Separate like a puzzle floating in space
Feeling scattered and disconnected
So lost in this galaxy of life
Feeling confused and directionless in life
There’s so many things we haven’t said
Regret for unsaid words and unfinished conversations
There’s so many places never went
Regret for unfulfilled plans and missed opportunities
Wish you could visit every now and then
Missing someone's presence in life
Oh I keep pretending like I understand
Trying to come to terms with a difficult situation, but feeling overwhelmed
Was it something that I could prevent?
Questioning whether something could have been done to avoid the situation
Oh I miss you like a piece is gone
Feeling incomplete without someone
Cause I fall into pieces
Emotional breakdown
Never seeing you again
Accepting the reality of permanent loss
So I rise and fall like the tide
Being in a constant state of fluctuation
And I’m so full and empty inside
Feeling both fulfilled and empty at the same time
All those memories linger in my mind
Recalling memorable moments with someone
Wish you were here with me
Longing for someone's companionship
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERT RUSSELL, JERRY RAGOVOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind