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.
The House of Blue Lights
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a knocked out shack on the edge of town
There's an eight beat combo that just won't quit
Keep walkin' 'til you see a blue light lit
Fall in there and we'll see some sights
At the house of blue lights
There's fryers and broilers and Detroit barbecue ribs
Is when they serve you all those fine eight beats
You'll want to spend the rest of your brights
Down at the house, the house of blue lights
We'll have a time and we'll cut some rug
While we dig those tunes like they should be dug
It's a real home comin' for all the "Cats"
Just trilly down a path of welcome mats
Fall in there and we'll see some sights
At the house of blue lights
There's fryers and broilers and Detroit barbecue ribs
But the treat of the treats
Is when they serve you all those fine eight beats
You'll want to spend the rest of your brights
Down at the house, the house of blue lights
The song “House of Blue Lights” by Ella Mae Morse tells the story of a fun night out on the town. The singer invites her listeners to lace up their boots and head to a small shack at the edge of town, where they will find an eight-piece band that just won’t quit. As they approach, they will see a blue light lit up outside, beckoning them inside. Once they enter the establishment, they will be treated to a feast of fryers, broilers, and Detroit barbecue ribs, but the real highlight of the night is the fine eight beats that the band plays. The singer assures her listeners that they will want to spend the rest of their night at the House of Blue Lights, enjoying the music and dancing the night away.
The lyrics of “House of Blue Lights” evoke a sense of excitement and anticipation as the singer describes the delights that await her listeners at the establishment. The mention of lace-up boots and a knocked-out shack suggests a more rustic setting, while the promise of delectable food and outstanding music creates an atmosphere of festivity and celebration. The song speaks to our innate desire to let loose and have fun, to live in the moment and embrace the pleasures that life has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Lace up your boots and we'll broom on down
Put on your shoes and let's walk down
To a knocked out shack on the edge of town
To a dilapidated hut at the outskirts
There's an eight beat combo that just won't quit
A band playing upbeat music endlessly
Keep walkin' 'til you see a blue light lit
Continue walking until you see a blue light shining
Fall in there and we'll see some sights
Enter and witness some fascinating things
At the house of blue lights
Inside the jazz club with blue lighting
There's fryers and broilers and Detroit barbecue ribs
They serve fried and grilled food, including Detroit-style barbeque ribs
But the treat of the treats
The ultimate attraction
Is when they serve you all those fine eight beats
Is when they perform their excellent eight-beat music
You'll want to spend the rest of your brights
You'll want to stay there all night
Down at the house, the house of blue lights
At the jazz club with blue lighting
We'll have a time and we'll cut some rug
We'll have a great time and dance
While we dig those tunes like they should be dug
While we enjoy and appreciate the music fully
It's a real home comin' for all the "Cats"
It's a real return home for all the cool people
Just trilly down a path of welcome mats
Simply stroll down a path of welcoming doormats
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON RAYE, FREDDIE SLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Morse
I only recently discovered this amazing women while researching my family tree on ancestry and I learned that she was dads first cousin ! So proud to have her in my tree …
Kirk Barkley
As well you should be!
Δημ.
You should be sir. Her song is regarded to be the first rock-and-roll track in the history of music.
MrRJDB1969
One of the best vocalists of any era. Ella began with Jimmy Dorsey, which was short lived, and eventually found fame with boogie pianist, Freddie Slack and then, of course, she went solo. Because of her vocal style, Johnny Mercer had to have been drawn to her, since his own vocal style was very similar to hers. She and Tennessee Ernie Ford did some great recordings together as well on Capitol in the mid 1950's.
ruth piwonka
This was my most favorite song about 1961-65. I had not idea it dated to 1945. How really wonderful. Ella Mae Morse is a National Treasure.
Jubal Calif
You speak the truth, Kemo Sabe !! :-)
KroovyMonsoon
Wow ! Not quite Country, not quite Blues, not quite R&B, not quite Swing yet a little of all of the above. That equals Rock'N'Roll people !! Long before anyone ever heard of such a thing ! Can someone please tell me why this amazing woman is not in the Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame as an early influence ? She damn well should be !
Mark Conlan
Ella Mae Morse was decades ahead of her time! I first discovered this record on an original 78 in the 1970's and I've loved it ever since – and the flip side, "Hey, Mr. Postman" (same song concept as the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman" from 16 years later), is just as good. This is enough of a rock 'n' roll number Chuck Berry covered it. One could legitimately claim Ella Mae Morse as the first white woman rock singer – indeed, the first white rock singer of either gender. Turn those blue lights on!
maddymud
I go with Rose Maddox who was doing hillbilly boogie in the early 40s
Ronald Morgan
@maddymud And the Andrew Sisters - Boogie Woogie Boy from Company B