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.
I Believe
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows
I believe for everyone that goes astray
Someone will come to show the way
I believe
I believe
Will still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
Or touch a leaf
Or see the sky
Then I know why I believe
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
Or touch a leaf
Or see the sky
Then I know why I believe
(Why I believe)
Elmore James's song "I Believe" is a powerful ballad that explores the idea of hope and faith. The song speaks to the belief that there is a greater force in the universe that watches over us and guides us. The lyrics suggest that in difficult situations, we must have faith that we will be shown the right path.
The first verse, "I believe for every drop of rain that falls / A flower grows," speaks to the idea that beauty can grow out of even the most devastating situations. The second verse, "I believe for everyone that goes astray / Someone will come to show the way," suggests that even when we stray from our chosen path, there is always a guiding force that will lead us back to where we need to be.
The chorus, "I believe, I believe, I believe," is a powerful affirmation of faith. The third verse, "I believe above the storm the smallest prayer / Will still be heard," reinforces the idea that even in the midst of chaos, there is always someone listening to our prayers.
The final verse, "Every time I hear a newborn baby cry / Or touch a leaf / Or see the sky / Then I know why I believe," suggests that the beauty and wonder of the natural world serve as reminders of the greater force that exists in the universe. The song is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, we must hold on to our faith and belief in something greater.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe for every drop of rain that falls
I believe that even the smallest things in life have a purpose and can lead to growth and beauty
A flower grows
Something beautiful and positive can come from a seemingly insignificant event
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
I believe that even in times of extreme darkness and despair, there is still hope and light to be found
A candle glows
There is always a beacon of light and hope, even in the bleakest of situations
I believe for everyone that goes astray
I believe that even those who may lose their way or make mistakes will eventually find guidance and their path forward
Someone will come to show the way
There will always be help and support available to those in need
I believe
Despite any hardships or doubts, I continue to hold onto my faith and hope for the future
I believe above the storm the smallest prayer
I believe that even a tiny prayer or wish can make a difference, especially in difficult times
Will still be heard
No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, every prayer or wish has the potential to be heard and answered
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
I believe that there is a higher power or force that is watching over us and helping guide us through our journey
Hears every word
Every thought, prayer, and word spoken is heard and acknowledged by this higher power or force
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
Every time I witness the wonder and beauty of new life, I am reminded of the power and potential of the world around us
Or touch a leaf
Even the simplest, most everyday things can hold a sense of wonder and awe
Or see the sky
There is so much beauty and inspiration to be found in the natural world around us
Then I know why I believe
These experiences remind me of the power of faith, hope, and belief in something greater than ourselves
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
Every time I witness the wonder and beauty of new life, I am reminded of the power and potential of the world around us
Or touch a leaf
Even the simplest, most everyday things can hold a sense of wonder and awe
Or see the sky
There is so much beauty and inspiration to be found in the natural world around us
Then I know why I believe
These experiences remind me of the power of faith, hope, and belief in something greater than ourselves
(Why I believe)
This repetition emphasizes the importance and strength of the belief and faith that the artist holds
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DWAYNE CHIN-QUEE, MICHAEL FRANTI, JACOB HEMPHILL, DAVID BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan Camacho
I'm gonna get up in the mornin'
I believe I should go back home
I'm gonna get up in the mornin'
I believe I should go back home
I'm gonna find my baby
Acknowledge that I done her wrong
I don't want no woman
That stays drunk all the time
I don't want no woman
That stays drunk all the time
Well, you know she's a wild woman
'Bout to drive me out of my mind
🎸🎸🎸
I believe, I believe
I'm going back home
I believe, I believe
I'm going back home
I gotta lie to my baby
I know I treated her wrong
I believe, I believe
My time ain't long
I believe, I believe
My time ain't long
I left my room this mornin'
I know I treat my baby wrong
Dick Kline
The sound that Elmore strokes our ears with is pure magic. James and Slim Harpo are two of the greatest musicians that ever lived.
𝔹𝕦𝕣𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕓𝕪𝕝𝕠𝕟
soul shaking music 🎶 body covered in goosebumps ✌
Mark Grago
I cannot fathom why no one has commented on the awesomeness of this song! 🎸 🎼 🎹
Will Smail
King of the slide guitar and a voice that melts icebergs!
Charles Lusk
Long live the blues I like it
hungrywolf56
Because we can’t find the precise words to express the greatness and amazing feeling that this song give to ours souls and hearts 💕
Amy Blankenship
I love it!!
Aloise Mason
Elmore James the music Legend of blue's that flowed over the world and brought this sensational entertainment before my very ear's..what a performance and Elmore James could sing and strum that guitar the Best there was..Never be another Elmore James..still listening in 2020..RIP Elmore
sbluez
He‘s shouting it right in our faces again. Man he could sing.
lendl kaiser
I like the way after every verse he tears that guitar up ,like to emphasize his words!