Ella Mae Morse (September 12, 1924 – October 16, 1999) was an American popu… Read Full Bio ↴Ella Mae Morse (September 12, 1924 – October 16, 1999) was an American popular singer. Morse blended jazz, country, pop, and rhythm and blues.

Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas, United States. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her. In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded "Cow Cow Boogie", Capitol Records' first gold single. "Mr. Five by Five" was also recorded by Morse with Slack, and they had a hit recording with the song in 1942 (Capitol 115). She also originated the wartime hit "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet", which was later popularized by Nancy Walker in the film, Broadway Rhythm.

In 1943, Morse began to record solo. She reached #1 in the R&B chart with "Shoo-Shoo Baby" in December for two weeks. In the same year she performed "Cow Cow Boogie" in the film Reveille with Beverly and starred in Universal's South of Dixie and The Ghost Catchers with Olsen and Johnson and How Do You Dooo? with radio's Mad Russian, Bert Gordon. She sang in a wide variety of styles, and she had hits on both the U.S. pop and rhythm and blues charts. However, she never received the popularity of a major star because her versatility prevented her from being placed into any one category of music.

The song "Love Me or Leave Me" as recorded by Morse was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues," which became her biggest hit.

In 1946, "House of Blue Lights" by Freddie Slack and Morse, (written by Slack and Raye) saw them perform what was one of many of Raye's songs picked up by black R&B artists. Her biggest solo success was "Blacksmith Blues" in 1952, which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The same year her version of "Down the Road a Piece" appeared on Capitol with Slack again on piano accompaniment. Morse also recorded a version of "Oakie Boogie" for Capitol which reached #23 in 1952. Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.

Morse ceased recording in 1957, but continued performing until the early 1990s at such clubs as Michael's Pub in New York, Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Cinegrill and the Vine St. Bar and Grill. She appeared regularly at Disneyland for several years with the Ray McKinley Orchestra, and did a successful tour of Australia shortly before her final illness.

Her music career was profiled in Nick Tosches' 1984 book, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll: The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years Before Elvis. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street. Her entire recorded body of work was issued in a deluxe box set by Bear Family Records.

As Morse's musical style blended jazz, blues, and country, she has sometimes been called the first rock 'n' roll singer. A good example is her 1942 recording of the song "Get On Board, Little Chillun", which, with strong gospel, blues, boogie, and jive sounds as a genuine precursor to the later rockabilly/ rock 'n roll songs. Her records sold well to both Caucasian and African-American audiences. As she was not well known at the time of her first solo hits, many people assumed she was African-American because of her 'hip' vocal style and choice of material.

Morse had six children from two marriages, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and an estranged sister named Flo Handy, who was also a singer.

In 1999 Morse died of respiratory failure in Bullhead City, Arizona, aged 75.

Baby Won't You Please Come Home
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics

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I've got the blues, I feel so lonely
I'd give the world if I could only
Make you understand
It truly would be grand
I'm gonna telephone my baby
Ask him won't you please come home
Oh, when you gone
I'm worried all day long

Baby, won't you please come home
Baby, won't you please come home
I have tried in vain
Nevermore to call your name
When you left you broke my heart
That will never make us part
Every hour in the day
You will hear me say
Baby, won't you please come home
I mean, baby, won't you please come home

Baby, won't you please come home
Cause your mama's all alone
I have tried in vain
Nevermore to call your name
When you left you broke my heart
That will never make us part
Landlord's gettin' worse
I gotta move May the first
Baby, won't you please come home

I need money
Baby, won't you please come home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ella Mae Morse's song "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" depict a person who is experiencing strong emotions of loneliness, heartbreak, and despair. The singer feels the weight of the blues and wishes for their lover to return. The desperation in the lyrics is highlighted by the line, "I'd give the world if I could only make you understand." The singer yearns for the return of their lover and even goes as far as to say that they will ask them to come back home. The lyrics are an appeal to the lover to return, and they express a deep longing for companionship and love.

The lyrics also highlight the singer's financial struggles, such as the landlord becoming worse and the need to move by May 1. These issues add to the desperation in the plea for the lover to return, as the singer may feel that they cannot handle these problems alone. The repetition of the phrase "Baby, won't you please come home" emphasizes the singer's intense desire for their lover's presence.

Overall, the lyrics of "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" convey a sense of sadness and desperation. The song portrays a lost love and the longing for its return. The feelings expressed in the lyrics are universal and relatable, making the song an enduring classic.

Line by Line Meaning

I've got the blues, I feel so lonely
I am feeling incredibly down and lonely at the moment

I'd give the world if I could only
I would do absolutely anything to make you understand how I feel

Make you understand
I just want you to see things from my perspective - it would mean the world to me

It truly would be grand
Having you here with me would be wonderful

I'm gonna telephone my baby
I am going to call my significant other

Ask him won't you please come home
I am going to ask them to come back to me

Oh, when you gone
Since you have been gone

I'm worried all day long
I have been incredibly anxious and worried non-stop

Baby, won't you please come home
I am desperately asking for your return

I have tried in vain
I have attempted to move on without you, to no avail

Nevermore to call your name
I have stopped reaching out to you, hoping you will come back on your own