Elmore James made his first recording of "Dust My Broom" for the Trumpet Records label in 1951. James followed Robert Johnson's melody quite closely. His lyrics are based on Johnson's first four verses, but with Arthur Crudup's changes to the verses about his 'good gal'. This 1951recording has James on electric slide guitar, Sonny Boy Williamson II on harmonica, Leonard Ware on bass and Frock O'Dell on drums. Ware supplied the boogie beat, allowing James, with superior amplification, to dominate with a riff based on Johnson's triplet figures.
The record became a surprise rhythm and blues hit in 1952, prompting James to exploit the melody and accompaniment with similar texts. Most of his subsequent records were released as by Elmore James & His Broomdusters. His releases included: "She just won't do right (Going for good or Dust My Broom)" (1952) and "Dust My Blues" (1955). In 1959 he recorded the song again as "Dust My Broom" with his cousin Homesick James on second guitar. Homesick later recorded the song on an LP for Vanguard Records in 1965. Distinctive to all these records is the melody created from the riff on "Dust My Broom"
James' version of "Dust My Broom" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
Dust My Broom
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
Out with the best gal I'm lovin'
Now my friends can get in my room
I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know
If I don't find her in Mississippi
She be in East Monroe I know
And I don't want no woman
Want every downtown man she meets
No I don't want no woman
Want every downtown man she meets
Man, she's a no good doney
They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I ain't gonna leave my baby
And break up my happy home
Elmore James's "Dust My Broom" is a blues classic, featuring powerful vocals and electrifying guitar work. The song is about a man who is getting ready to leave his woman, as she has been unfaithful to him with several other men. He is determined to move on from the relationship and start fresh with someone new. The lyrics suggest that he is willing to do whatever it takes to find a woman who will be faithful and loyal to him. He plans to leave town and search for his new love, using any means necessary to find her. The chorus includes the repetition of the phrase "I believe I'll dust my broom", which is a metaphor for cleaning up the past and moving on to a fresh start.
The song is a reflection of the pain and betrayal that often comes with love, and the hope that there is someone out there who will be faithful and true. The lyrics suggest that the singer is seeking love that is pure, honest, and unencumbered by the betrayal and infidelity that he has experienced in the past. His words are infused with a sense of determination and grit, as he sets out to find a better life and a better love for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I plan to wake up early in the morning
I believe I'll dust my broom
I am going to leave and move on from my current situation
Out with the best gal I'm lovin'
I will be going out with the woman I love most
Now my friends can get in my room
I don't care if my friends spend time in my room while I'm gone
I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know
I will reach out to everyone I know to try and find her
If I don't find her in Mississippi
If she's not in Mississippi,
She be in East Monroe I know
I believe she is in East Monroe
And I don't want no woman
I don't want a woman who
Want every downtown man she meets
Is interested in every man she meets in town
Man, she's a no good doney
She is an untrustworthy person
They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah
She shouldn't be allowed to be out in public
I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I feel like I don't have much time left
I ain't gonna leave my baby
I won't leave my loved one behind
And break up my happy home
And ruin my family life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Elmore, Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind