Elmore James (Elmore Brooks, Richland, Mississippi, 27th January 1918 – Chi… Read Full Bio ↴Elmore James (Elmore Brooks, Richland, Mississippi, 27th January 1918 – Chicago, Illinois, 24th May 1963) was an American blues singer and guitarist. He was known as "The King of the Slide Guitar".

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.

Early One Morning
Elmore James Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh yeah
It was early one morning, I was, on my way to school
Early one morning, I was, on my way to school
I met a magic

Woman, and she broke my teacher's rule
I'm in love with that woman, before I learn to call her name
I'm in love with that woman, before I learn to call her name

The way you treat me, is
Doggone
Insane, oh yeah

Now why don't you tell me baby, honey where you stayed last night
Yes, tell me baby, honey where you stayed last night

You didn't come home, darling until
The sun was shinin' bright, oh no

Overall Meaning

The song "Early One Morning" by Elmore James is a classic blues track that shows his ability to use powerful and emotional lyrics to convey the story of a young boy who has fallen in love with a woman who he met while on his way to school. The song starts with Elmore James narrating how early one morning he was on his way to school when he meets a "magic woman" who breaks his teacher's rule. This implies that the woman is older and more experienced than he is, hence the name "magic woman". He then goes on to say that he is in love with this woman even before he knows how to pronounce her name, showing the deep emotions that he has for her.

The chorus of the song is where the lyrics become even more powerful, with Elmore James saying "I'm in love with that woman, before I learn to call her name, the way you treat me is doggone insane". This shows how much the woman has affected him, even though he doesn't know her name, he is still in love with her. The use of the word "insane" shows how much of an impact the woman has had on his life. The second verse of the song is where Elmore James asks the woman where she stayed last night, implying that she is not faithful to him. He says "You didn't come home, darling until the sun was shining bright", indicating that she may have been with someone else during the night.

Overall, the lyrics of this song showcase Elmore James' ability to use powerful words to express emotions and tell a story. The song speaks of the pain and heartache that can come with love, especially when it is one-sided or not reciprocated. It is a classic blues track that has stood the test of time and continues to be appreciated by music lovers around the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh yeah
Starting off with enthusiasm and energy

It was early one morning, I was, on my way to school
Narrating about the singer’s eventful morning journey to school

Early one morning, I was, on my way to school
Reiterating the previous line to emphasize the time frame

I met a magic Woman, and she broke my teacher's rule
Encounter with a woman and the transformative experience of breaking a rule

I'm in love with that woman, before I learn to call her name
Expressing instant love for the woman even before knowing her name

I'm in love with that woman, before I learn to call her name
Repeating the previous line to highlight the strength of emotions

The way you treat me, is Doggone Insane, oh yeah
Admiring the woman's behavior with strong words - “doggone” and “insane” to convey astonishment

Now why don't you tell me baby, honey where you stayed last night
Questioning the woman about her whereabouts from the previous night

Yes, tell me baby, honey where you stayed last night
Reiterating the previous line to seek a response from the woman

You didn't come home, darling until The sun was shinin' bright, oh no
Confirming the woman's absence until sunrise and expressing disapproval using the phrase “oh no”

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, GULF COAST MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELMORE JAMES, MARSHALL E SEHORN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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