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 in the Morning
Elmore James Lyrics
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Well it's early in the morning, and my baby can't be found
I'm gonna pack up and leave her, if she don't stop runnin' around
Well I got to leave my baby, 'cause she gives me such a thrill
Well I got to leave my baby, 'cause she gives me such a thrill
Well she takes me back in the mornin', and I hope she will
She can get so sentimental, when the lights are way down low
The way that gal can thrill me, make any man come back for more
The lyrics of Elmore James's "Early in the Morning" depict the frustration and exasperation of a man who is tired of waiting for his lover to come back to him. The song starts off with the singer lamenting the fact that it's early in the morning and his partner is nowhere to be found. He threatens to leave her if she doesn't stop running around with other men. This suggests that the singer may suspect his lover of infidelity, and his patience has finally run out.
Later on in the song, the singer acknowledges that his lover gives him a thrill, which may explain why he has put up with her behavior for so long. However, he realizes that he can't continue in a relationship that leaves him feeling constantly disappointed and abandoned. He hopes that she will take him back in the morning, but it's clear that he's ready to move on if she doesn't.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer has a complicated relationship with his lover. She can be "sentimental" and "thrilling" when the lights are down low. This could mean that she is affectionate and attentive to him in private, but distant and unreliable in public. Ultimately, we're left with a sense that the singer is torn between his passion for his lover and his desire to move on from a relationship that is no longer working.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's early in the morning, and my baby can't be found
It's morning, but my partner is nowhere to be seen.
I'm gonna pack up and leave her, if she don't stop runnin' around
I will leave if she doesn't stop going around with other people.
Well I got to leave my baby, 'cause she gives me such a thrill
I must leave my partner because being with her is too exciting.
Well she takes me back in the mornin', and I hope she will
She usually comes back to me in the morning, and I hope she will again.
She can get so sentimental, when the lights are way down low
She can become emotional when in a dimly lit room.
The way that gal can thrill me, make any man come back for more
She has the ability to give someone an intense feeling of excitement, enough to make them want more.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELMORE JAMES, SAUL BIHARI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Larry Ressler
This is a good recording of Elmore James, taken from an original 45 RPM copy of "Early In The Morning", originally pressed and released in 1953. Thanks, daddynap, for sharing this Elmore James recording here on YouTube.
Michael Guckian
Thank you for uploading.
daddynap
My Pleasure Larry!...Glad you Enjoyed it!