James was born fifty miles north of Jackson (not to be confused with another Richland just south of Jackson). He began playing as a teen, under the names "Cleanhead" and "Joe Willie James", alongside musicians such as the first Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson. During World War II James joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Guam.
Upon his discharge James returned to central Mississippi and eventually settled in Canton. He began recording with Trumpet Records in nearby Jackson in January 1951, first as sideman to the second Sonny Boy Williamson and others, then debuting as a session leader in August with what became his signature song, "Dust My Broom". It was a surprise R&B hit in 1952 and turned James into a star. His "I Believe" was another hit a year later. During the 1950s he recorded for the Bihari Brothers' Flair and Modern labels, as well as for Chess Records. His backing musicians were known as the Broomdusters. In 1959 he began recording what are perhaps his best sides for Bobby Robinson's Fire Records label. These include "The Sky Is Crying" (credited to Elmo James and His Broomdusters), "Stranger Blues", "Look On Yonder Wall", "Done Somebody Wrong", and "Shake Your Moneymaker", all of which are among the most famous of blues recordings.
The slide guitar riff from "Dust My Broom" is one of the best-known openings in all of blues.
Elmore James died of his third heart attack in Chicago in 1963, already a major influence on guitarists such as The Rolling Stones' Brian Jones. His classic "Done Somebody Wrong" and "One Way Out" were often covered by The Allman Brothers Band, who cited James as a major influence. James was also covered by blues-rock band Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble many times in concert. The most famous of these covers is Vaughan's take on James's legendary recording, "The Sky Is Crying". James is mentioned in The Beatles' song "For You Blue". While John Lennon plays the slide guitar, James' trademark, George Harrison says "Go, Johnny, go ... Elmore James got nothin' on this, baby." Another famous guitarist who admired Elmore James was Jimi Hendrix. On a sleeve of the posthumously released Hendrix CD Blues, there is a photo of Hendrix wearing his famous military jacket and holding Elmore James's vinyl.
Done Somebody Wrong
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, the bell just toned, my baby done caught that train and gone
It's all my fault, I must have done somebody wrong, oh yeah
Everything that happened, you know I am to blame
Everything that's happened, you know I am to blame
I'm gonna find me a doctor, maybe my luck will change, oh yeah
My mother told me these days would surely come,
But I, wouldn't listen to her, said, I gotta have some fun
Uuh, it's all my fault, I must-a did somebody wrong
The lyrics of Elmore James's song "Done Somebody Wrong" recount the regret and guilt of a man whose actions have led to the departure of his lover. The opening line, "The bell just toned, my baby done caught that train and gone," sets the scene for a bittersweet goodbye. The singer then acknowledges that he is the source of the problem, singing, "It's all my fault, I must have done somebody wrong." He recognizes that his behavior has caused harm, singing "Everything that happened, you know I am to blame," but there is a sense that he is powerless to change his ways. He plans to "find me a doctor, maybe my luck will change," but this seems like a desperate plea for a quick fix to his problems.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of inevitability, a feeling that the singer has been warned of the consequences of his actions but has chosen to ignore them. When he sings, "My mother told me these days would surely come, but I wouldn't listen to her," it highlights his failure to learn from the past. The song ends with a sense of resignation, as the singer acknowledges his role in the situation by singing, "I must-a did somebody wrong, it's all my fault." The melody and tempo of the song evoke a sense of sadness and regret, capturing the emotional turmoil of lost love and the self-blame that follows.
Line by Line Meaning
The bell just toned, my baby done caught that train and gone
I just heard the train whistle and realized my lover has left me.
Yes, the bell just toned, my baby done caught that train and gone
Confirming that my lover has left and I am alone.
It's all my fault, I must have done somebody wrong, oh yeah
I feel responsible for the breakup and acknowledge that I may have wronged someone.
Everything that happened, you know I am to blame
I'm admitting total fault for the situation and all the misfortune that's occurred.
I'm gonna find me a doctor, maybe my luck will change, oh yeah
I'm going to try to fix myself and hope that this will bring better luck in the future.
My mother told me these days would surely come,
My mother warned me that this heartbreak might happen someday.
But I, wouldn't listen to her, said, I gotta have some fun
Despite my mother's warning, I chose to prioritize my own pleasure over avoiding heartache.
Aah, I must-a did somebody wrong,
I have come to the realization that I am responsible for someone else's pain and suffering.
Uuh, it's all my fault, I must-a did somebody wrong
Reiterating that I am fully culpable for whatever harm has come to my loved one and myself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elmore James, Levy Morris, Clarence Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ReverendRicktaScale
One of greatest blues shouters ever! Great voice ,songwriter, and killer slide licks. The raw emotion just pores through.
Mr22thou
The blues rockers from England & the U.S. turned me onto the blues in the late 60s & early 70s. It took a while, but I often prefer the original artists; the same ones who inspired the likes of the Stones, Animals, Yardbirds, Canned Heat, Johnny Winter, Janis Joplin & so on. This is a serious favorite. Love what the Allman Bros. did with it.
MyMoppet52
Duane Allman heard this one for sure...Crank it up and enjoy!!! This version of "Done Somebody Wrong" is from the 3 cd boxed set released in 1996, "King of the Slide Guitar". It's hard to believe this was recorded before 1963. It is a current now as it was ahead of it's time then. We blues and rock lovers owe Mr. James a debt of gratitude for his talent and his foresight. As I said before, ENJOY!
Joe Friedman
I know a lot of legendary guitarists give props to Elmore James but I still can't help but feel that he's underrated overall. I'm not sure I've heard a better voice/guitar combo in the history of blues music..
tony montana
Allmans screwed it all up
MyMoppet52
@Renée BlacknBlues
You are more than welcome. There is a Joan Baez from the Bread & Roses album which is outstanding & a bit unique. It isn't played a lot.
Big Walter will be in the list you are listening to along with Carey Bell & Little Walter. Just scroll down the list to find who you want. He might be towards the bottom...the lists don't keep the order I put them in. Harmonica has from Piedmont/Country Blues style to Big Walter's genius. i don't play the harp, but several people have commented his la Cucharacha has incredible stops & "things"...they play & know the terms.
It is nice to meet you! I'm all over the place, musically. It's nice to find others with widely varying tastes. You might like BLUES - female. Judy Roderick is great & there are a few incredible Odessa's.
I think I saw you at First Nations. Thanks for checking it out. Glad you are finding stuff you enjoy! My best to you, Barbara
Renée Bluejay
I had a look at your playlists like you said. Could not find Big Walter Horton but found Elmore James. I have a list of him too :) I like your music, with the Muppets and the uilleanpipes, bagpipes and Celtic music, and all the rest. And the blues! Great. We are alike in music. I am listening now to your Blues harmonica playlist. Joan Baez is great too. Thank you, have a nice day!
Ramón Sanchez
Elmore James legend's of the legend's .
john solis
Elmore James and there ain’t no more, forever.
Karen McKenzie
I Love Blues music... simply love it...
I'm a woman of 50-ish and my era was 70's Rock... Free, Led Zep... Deep Purple... all very worthy of the title of Rock Musicians. When reading interviews these guys gave, they all have a very deep respect for blues musicians... and it shows... so-o-o many obvious 'samples' that gave some flesh to the bones. and when you discover who they ( the 70's musicians) listened to, that's when you go on your own journey to explore the libraries of others. It doesn't matter which road you take... all roads end with the blues.