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.
Held My Baby Last Night
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I held my baby last, until everything was alright
She woke up early in the morning, baby
All she gonna do was fuss and fight
She said baby, baby, baby, baby please come back to me
Yes, now baby please come back to me
You know I love you baby
And you know all your love is free
Now it's past ten in the morning, babe
And everyting is goin' on wrong
Yes, you know everything is goin' on wrong
You know I been with you so long baby, ah,
But now you
Thinkin' to
Drive me away from home
The lyrics to Elmore James's song "Held My Baby Last Night" showcase the singer's desperation to save the relationship with his lover. The lyrics suggest that the singer's girlfriend woke up in the morning and started complaining and picking fights with him. In an attempt to salvage their relationship, he held her close all night long until everything was alright. However, despite his efforts, she is still upset and is pleading with him to come back to her. The singer reminds her that he loves her and how all his love is free. As the day progresses, it seems that everything keeps going wrong, and the singer is afraid that his girlfriend might drive him away from home.
The song showcases the theme of love and the different forms it can take. The singer is holding onto his girlfriend because he loves her and wants to keep their relationship alive. He is trying to calm her down and make her feel better, but his attempts are futile. The lyrics suggest that love can be volatile and unpredictable, but it is worth fighting for. The singer's desperation to make things right with his girlfriend highlights the depth of his love for her.
Line by Line Meaning
I held my baby last, until everything was alright
I embraced my lover tightly, comforting her until all issues dissipated
She woke up early in the morning, baby
My significant other awoke in the early hours of the day
All she gonna do was fuss and fight
She was only going to complain and argue
She said baby, baby, baby, baby please come back to me
She pleaded with me to return to her side
Yes, now baby please come back to me
She continued to beseech me to return to her
You know I love you baby
My lover expressed her love and affection for me
And you know all your love is free
She acknowledged the genuine nature of my love without ulterior motives
Now it's past ten in the morning, babe
It is now later in the morning, beyond ten o'clock
And everyting is goin' on wrong
Everything seems to be going awry
You know I been with you so long baby, ah,
I have been romantically involved with you for a significant amount of time
But now you
However, now it appears
Thinkin' to
You are contemplating
Drive me away from home
Removing me from our shared living space seems to be your intention
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELMORE JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LaptopLarry330
This 1959 recording, which was recorded in STEREO, is a rerecord of Elmore James' song "I Held My Baby Last Night", which was originally recorded in 1952. Both are great recordings, but Elmore James' 1959 STEREO recordings are some of the best that he ever made.
@lendlkaiser3622
I love the lead in,on this!
@kordier
Everything was alright... 🌹
@smoothoperator7023
What cuts deeper- the guitar or the voice? ((😵💫))
@ivomanzoli5249
First comment
@marcofiordelmondo531
Complimenti