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.
Hand in Hand
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I lost my baby, she just wouldn't treat me right
She has spent all my money and she didn't come home 'til night
Every time I see my baby, walkin' down the street with some other man
Every time I see my baby, walkin' down the street with some other man
It used to be your cousin but now you're runnin' hand in hand
I love my baby, I can't get her to understand
She leaves me early in the mornin', she goes out with some other man
In Elmore James's bluesy hit "Hand in Hand," the singer laments the loss of his beloved woman who has betrayed him in several ways. He opens the song by stating that he has lost his baby because she just wouldn't treat him right even though he had spent all his money on her. This line suggests that the woman might have been using him for his money without reciprocating the love he had for her. Later on, the singer paints a sad picture of seeing his baby walking down the street with some other man, who used to be her cousin but now has become her lover. This revelation must have hurt the singer deeply, increasing his sense of betrayal and abandonment.
Despite his love for her, the singer can't seem to get his baby to understand how much he needs and wants her. She leaves him early in the morning and spends the day with another man. All of these themes of love, heartbreak, and betrayal are the backbones of many blues songs. James's use of repetition emphasizes his feelings of loss and futility. The song's sparse instrumentation and sorrowful tone help to further convey the song's themes and its emotional core.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I lost my baby, she just wouldn't treat me right
I lost my significant other because they didn't treat me the way I deserved to be treated. They spent all my money and didn't come home until nighttime.
Every time I see my baby, walkin' down the street with some other man
Whenever I see my ex, they're with someone else. It used to be your cousin, but now you're walking hand in hand with someone new. I feel betrayed.
I love my baby, I can't get her to understand
I have strong feelings for my ex, but they don't seem to understand my love for them. They keep leaving early in the morning to see someone else.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOE BIHARI, ELMORE JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Don Miller
I can listen to Elmore James all night. If this don't give you chills, you ain't got no spine.
Bonnie Clifford
Elmore James was the first blues singer I introduced myself to. I was hooked.
snakehips81
Oh man, Elmore is just W-I-L-D on this record ! That's the Dearmond Rhythm Chief Model 1000 pickup on his guitar and a distorting amp. Ike Turner on piano
snakehips81
@Mauro Olivieri Mauro - This song was recorded in 1952. As far as I can find information on, Elmore’s Kay Western Rhythm dreadnought guitar model was made between 1956-58. I think Elmore is using the Dearmond Rhythm Chief pickup in this recording (as it really sounds like a Rhythm Chief) BUT it must be on another guitar !
Mauro Olivieri Mauro
E Kay guitar
Jerry Abitz
If someone ever asks "what does it mean to play / sing with feeling?" I would tell them to listen to Elmore James. Amazing. I'll never tire of that triplet slide lick. Guitar sounds extra loud and crunchy on this recording. Are there no drums? Big Elmore James fan here. "Yehaah!!"
Smooth Operator
@TCB Sitting on my table as i listen to this....📕🧐
snakehips81
I could listen to Elmore all day too. I've got an ipod shuffle with all Elmore's recordings on it in a folder, and it's been playing in my car over & over for the last 2 weeks. Even my two boys (aged 9 & 12) are singing along to the tunes now !
I'm a total Elmore nut-case ! Check out my youtube page for proof !
TCB
dude read the book The Amazing secret history of Elmore James. Soooo great!!
Luis Eduardo Alcántara
Una versión para cortarse las venas. Extraordinario Elmore James. Nadie como él. THE BOSS!