Emery "Detroit Junior" Williams, Jr. (October 26, 1931 – August 9, 2005) wa… Read Full Bio ↴Emery "Detroit Junior" Williams, Jr. (October 26, 1931 – August 9, 2005) was an American, Chicago blues pianist, singer, and songwriter. He is known for songs such as "So Unhappy", "Call My Job", "If I Hadn't Been High", "Ella" and "Money Tree". His songs have been covered by a.o. Koko Taylor and Albert King.

Born in Haynes, Arkansas, Detroit recorded his first single, "Money Tree" with the Bea & Baby Records label in 1960. His first full album, Chicago Urban Blues, was released in the early 1970s on the Blues on Blues label. He also has recordings on Alligator, Blue Suit, The Sirens Records, and Delmark.

Detroit Junior began his career in Detroit, Michigan, backing touring musicians such as Eddie Boyd, John Lee Hooker, and Amos Milburn. Boyd brought him to Chicago, Illinois in 1956, where he spent the next twelve years. In the early 1970s, Detroit Junior toured and recorded with Howlin' Wolf. After the death of Wolf in 1976, Detroit returned to Chicago, where he lived and performed until his death from heart failure in 2005.

He was survived by his wife Ella, and brothers Keith and Kenneth H. Williams.

Christmas Day
Detroit Junior Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You know I feel so good
Feel so good
Feel so good
You know I feel so good
Well I feel ok
'Cause it's Christmas Day

I got a pocketful of money

My baby by my side
You know I'm so glad
So glad to be alive
That's why I feel ok
On this Christmas Day

I want ya to turn up your hi-fi
I want ya to turn it up loud
I want everyone to know
That we're rockin' in this house

You know I feel ok
On this Christmas Day

Overall Meaning

Detroit Junior's song "Christmas Day" is a celebration of the holiday and all the good that comes with it. The song expresses the singer's overall sense of well-being and joy on this special day. Detroit Junior conveys that he feels so good and is so glad to be alive, especially with his loved one by his side. He encourages his listeners to turn up their hi-fi, to announce that they are indeed having a good time, and enjoying the festive day.

One of the most striking aspects of this song is the way it mixes blues and holiday music. Detroit Junior's bluesy piano playing combined with a jovial chorus makes for an interesting blend of the two genres. Throughout the song, there is a sense of excitement reflected in both Detroit Junior's energetic piano and his lyrics. Overall, "Christmas Day" is a song that celebrates the joy and happiness of the holiday season.

Line by Line Meaning

You know I feel so good
The singer is feeling happy and content

Feel so good
Reiterating the happiness he's feeling

You know I feel so good
Reiterating the happiness he's feeling

Well I feel ok
Although he is incredibly happy, he doesn't want to overstate his feelings by saying he feels great. He just feels okay.

'Cause it's Christmas Day
He's feeling especially happy because it's Christmas

I got a pocketful of money
The singer is financially secure

My baby by my side
He loves the person he's spending Christmas with

You know I'm so glad
He's expressing his gratitude for his life

So glad to be alive
Reiterating his gratitude for his life

That's why I feel ok
He's tying his good feelings to the fact that he's surrounded by good things

On this Christmas Day
Reiterating that the holiday is a huge factor in his happiness