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.
My Bleeding Heart
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know what it means to be left alone
People, people, people,
You know what it means to be left alone
No letter today
Not even a call on my telephone
Understandin' in a little lovin',
Understandin' in a little lovin', baby,
A little lovin' is all in the world I need
Misunderstandin' in a no good woman,
They both have caused my heart to bleed
Every morning,
The willow weeping moan for me
Every morning,
The willow weeping moan for me
The boy sing me a little song,
My baby's caused my heart to bleed
The lyrics to Elmore James's song, "My Bleeding Heart," describe the feelings of loneliness and heartache that come with being abandoned by a loved one. The repetition of "people, people, people" at the beginning of the song suggests that the pain of being left alone is universal and felt by many. The lack of a letter or a phone call indicates that the singer has been completely cut off from their lover, intensifying the feeling of isolation.
The second verse provides a contrast to the loneliness, as the singer expresses a deep desire for understanding and love. The lines "a little lovin' is all in the world I need" and "misunderstandin' in a no good woman, they both have caused my heart to bleed" suggest that the singer has not just been abandoned, but also hurt by their former partner. The use of "no good" to describe the woman indicates a sense of bitterness and betrayal.
The final verse adds a haunting image to the song, as the willow tree is personified as weeping and moaning for the singer. This emphasizes the depth of the heartache and the sense of mourning that comes with lost love. The final line of the song, "my baby's caused my heart to bleed," repeats the title of the song, underscoring the central image of the damaged heart.
Overall, Elmore James's "My Bleeding Heart" is a poignant and emotional portrayal of the pain of being left alone and the longing for love and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
People, people, people,
Addressing the audience to emphasize that they understand the feeling of being abandoned
You know what it means to be left alone
Acknowledging that the audience has experienced the feeling of isolation
No letter today
Indicating that there has been a lack of communication from a loved one
Not even a call on my telephone
Expressing disappointment that there has been no contact from the person they desire
Understandin' in a little lovin',
Explaining that empathy and affection are the only things needed
A little lovin' is all in the world I need
Affirming that love is the most important thing
Misunderstandin' in a no good woman,
Acknowledging that a woman who is not good has caused conflict and pain
They both have caused my heart to bleed
Expressing the emotional toll of being misunderstood and betrayed
Every morning,
Highlighting the frequency of the sadness felt
The willow weeping moan for me
Personifying the willow tree as crying along with the singer
The boy sing me a little song,
Receiving comfort from a young person's song
My baby's caused my heart to bleed
Attributing the pain and bleeding heart to the actions of the singer's loved one
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, GULF COAST MUSIC LLC
Written by: ELMORE JAMES, JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tommyhegel
People, people, people,
You know what it means to be left alone
People, people, people,
You know what it means to be left alone
No letter today
Not even a call on my telephone
Understandin' in a little lovin',
A little lovin' is all in the world I need
Understandin' in a little lovin', baby,
A little lovin' is all in the world I need
Misunderstandin' in a no good woman,
They both have caused my heart to bleed
Every morning,
The willow weeping moan for me
Every morning,
The willows weep AND moan for me
The birds sing me a little song,
My baby's caused my heart to bleed
@aloisemason3044
The legend at it again..what a performer and sending out his best on any stage at any given moment..great sounding voice and right on tempo..Still listening in 2020
@VladimirSanchez007
This guy is awesme.. Great blues!
@northpawjinx7555
Beautiful. A legend. Every man can relate. Pinnacle of what good music should be.
@expandwhatyousee
Who was brought here by Hendrix? Then realizing why he paid homage to such a gem.
@JeboteBogNEMOZESE
Indeed, the original's pretty amazing too. Jimi's rendition on People, Hell & Angels is my favorite, constantly spinning the CD in my car :)
@user-pt4ix4kd9l
I was and though I have heard a lot of Elmore I hadn't heard his version. I first heard Jimi's version from the War heroes LP and loved it.
@The121Hammer
Very cool. I've been listening to various Hendrix versions for years. He does some wild bending on many versions and hearing this helps explain why.
@jasonadams280
Yep 😅
@solidbreed9767
Yessir!!! especially Jimi's rendition of Bleeding Heart on South Saturn Delta
@coravisser3846
This is real perfect this legend.I love itttttttt.