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.
Rollin' and Tumblin'
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, I roll and I tumble, I cried the whole night long
I got up this morning, feeling that something going on wrong
Well now want you to love me baby, or please let me be
Yes, love me baby, or please let me be
If you don't like my peaches, please don't shake my tree
Well, I want you to love me baby, and come on and say you'll be mine
I want you to love me baby, come and say you'll be mine
Elmore James's "Rollin' and Tumblin'" is a classic blues song with simple yet impactful lyrics. The first two lines, "I roll and I tumble, I cried the whole night long," set the tone for the song's theme of heartbreak and despair. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the depth of emotion and physical restlessness that the singer is experiencing. The third line, "I got up this morning, feeling that something going on wrong," indicates that the sorrow and confusion has continued into the daylight hours.
The following verses convey the singer's plea for love and acceptance. The lines "Well now want you to love me baby, or please let me be" and "If you don't like my peaches, please don't shake my tree" express the singer's need for connection and harmony with their partner. The final verse, "Well, I want you to love me baby, and come on and say you'll be mine / If you don't like my potatoes, please don't dig up my vine," shows the desperation in the singer's need for validation and asks for the partner's commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
I roll and I tumble, I cried the whole night long
I am enduring through hardship, as evidenced by my restless despair.
Yes, I roll and I tumble, I cried the whole night long
I am experiencing a string of misfortunes, as evidenced by my restless despair.
I got up this morning, feeling that something going on wrong
I woke up feeling like things are not right in my life.
Well now want you to love me baby, or please let me be
I desire your romance but if that's not possible, then allow me to move on.
Yes, love me baby, or please let me be
My heart yearns for your love, but if it's not possible, then let me be.
If you don't like my peaches, please don't shake my tree
Please don't interfere with or damage what rightfully belongs to me.
Well, I want you to love me baby, and come on and say you'll be mine
I crave your affection and hope that you'll reciprocate my feelings.
I want you to love me baby, come and say you'll be mine
I earnestly desire your love and hope that you will be with me.
If you don't like my potatoes, please don't dig up my vine
Please don't uproot or destroy the parts of my life that are important to me.
Lyrics © GULF COAST MUSIC LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MORRIS LEVY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Spry
RIP and long live The King of the Slide Guitar
Elmore James (January 27, 1918 – May 24, 1963), aged 45
You will always be remembered as a legend.
Simon Cheyne
I've heard so many other versions of this track and they are all fine in their own right. But Elmore puts it down like no one else. This rhythm is on fire, his voice pitches to perfection. Such genius...
Vladimir Sánchez
This song is so damn great... one of my favorite blues musicians..
TCB
took a trip to Memphis and decided to drive to Elmores grave in Mississippi. Couple hrs into the delta. Got there. little cemetary in the middle of nowhere. Deathly quiet. Nobody around. Me and Elmore. Tried to imagine the thunderous sound he and the Broomdusters created. If only he could have been arounda little longer like John Lee and Muddy. A Master!!
Terrence Breaux
It’s a shame that an artist like him didn’t get his due,a genius with that axe.
Richard James Clemo
Sounds like you had a great experience that day, i bet it weighed on you for a while
Kev Dean
@Terrence Breaux You know his cousin Homesick James did a lot of that guitar work. I believe the Broomdusters stuck together for a long time!
𝔹𝕦𝕣𝕟 𝔹𝕒𝕓𝕪𝕝𝕠𝕟
someone should go each year and play music there I'm sure they'd all appreciate it ✌
Michael Kearney
Yes and Lonnie Pitchford is in the same cemetery in Ebenezer, MS
FF
The way Elmore screams gives me chills. Pure raw emotion