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.
One Way Out
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, I just can't go out the door
Ain't but one way out baby,
And Lord I just can't go out the door
'Cause there's a man down there,
Might be your man I don't know
Lord, you got me trapped woman,
Up on the second floor
I won't be trapped no more
So raise our window baby,
I can ease out soft and slow
And Lord, your neighbors, no they won't be,
Talking that stuff that they don't know
Lord, I'm foolish to be here in the first place
I know some man gonna walk in and take my place
Ain't no way in the world,
I'm going out that front door
'Cause there's a man down there,
Might be your man I don't know
'Cause there's a man down there,
Might be your man I don't know
'Cause there's a man down there,
Lord, it just might happen to be your man
Lord, it just a might be your man
Lord, it just a might be your man
Oh baby, I just don't know
The lyrics to Elmore James's "One Way Out" suggest that the singer is stuck in a difficult situation with a woman - perhaps his lover - and there is no easy way for him to get out. He is essentially trapped in the building, with a man lurking downstairs who may be the woman's husband or significant other. The singer is afraid of this man and worries that he is going to come and take his place. The only way out that he sees is to sneak out the window and escape without being detected by the neighbors. Despite his fear, the singer seems to be taking a stand and refusing to leave through the front door, no matter what happens.
This song seems to be about relationships and the struggles that can come with them. The singer is clearly uncomfortable and worried about the potential consequences of being caught, but he also seems to feel trapped and unable to leave. By talking about the possibility that the man downstairs might be "your man," the lyrics suggest that the woman in question may be cheating on her partner. This adds another level of tension and danger to the situation.
Overall, "One Way Out" is a bluesy, gritty song that captures the feeling of being stuck in a difficult spot. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to take risks in order to escape from his situation, but he is also aware that he may have made a mistake in getting involved with this woman in the first place.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't but one way out baby,
Lord, I just can't go out the door
There is only one way for me to escape, but I can't leave through the door
'Cause there's a man down there,
Might be your man I don't know
There is a man down there, who could be your partner, but I'm not sure
Lord, you got me trapped woman,
Up on the second floor
You have trapped me on the second floor, my lady
If I get by this time,
I won't be trapped no more
If I escape this time, I won't allow myself to be trapped again
So raise our window baby,
I can ease out soft and slow
Open the window so that I can escape silently and smoothly
And Lord, your neighbors, no they won't be,
Talking that stuff that they don't know
Your neighbors won't gossip about things they don't understand
Lord, I'm foolish to be here in the first place,
I know some man gonna walk in and take my place
I realize that it was silly of me to come here, as another man may soon take my position
Ain't no way in the world,
I'm going out that front door
There is absolutely no way I am leaving through the front door
'Cause there's a man down there,
Might be your man I don't know
There is a man down there who could be your partner, but I'm uncertain
'Cause there's a man down there,
Lord, it just might happen to be your man
That man down there could very well be your partner
Lord, it just a might be your man,
Lord, it just a might be your man,
Oh baby, I just don't know
It's possible that the man down there is your partner, but I am not certain
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, GULF COAST MUSIC LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARSHALL E SEHORN, ELMORE JAMES, SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LDM662
He rocked as hard as anyone back then.
@tonyfreeman1339
All rise.