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.
Shake Your Money Maker
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I got a girl, she lives upon the hill
Sometimes she won't, sometimes I think she will
Got to shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
I love you baby, tell you the reason why
Every time you leave me, go a way down and die
You got to shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Oh, go on baby, go on back to school
Oh, go on baby, go on back to school
Well, your mama told me, nothing but a fool
Got to shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Elmore James's song Shake Your Money Maker is a classic blues tune that has been covered by many artists over the years. The song starts by talking about the singer's girlfriend who lives up on a hill. The lyrics suggest that their relationship is rocky, as sometimes she won't (come to him) and sometimes he thinks she will. This idea of uncertainty carries over into the rest of the song as the singer implores his lover to "shake your moneymaker". The phrase is repeated multiple times throughout the song and seems to refer to the idea of taking control of one's life and not being afraid to put yourself out there. This could be interpreted as the singer urging his lover to be decisive and commit to their relationship.
The second verse of the song goes on to explain the singer's love for his girlfriend and how he feels when she leaves him. He tells her that he loves her and that every time she leaves, he feels like he is dying. This is a common theme in blues music, where the emotions of the singer are laid bare for everyone to see. The third and final verse talks about the singer's lover going back to school at the urging of her mother, who thinks that the singer is "nothing but a fool". It is unclear whether this is the reason why the relationship is on shaky ground, but it is clear that the singer wants his lover to come back to him and "shake her moneymaker".
Overall, Shake Your Money Maker is a classic blues song that touches on themes of love, loss, and uncertainty. The repetition of the phrase "shake your moneymaker" seems to suggest empowerment and taking control of one's life despite the challenges that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I got a girl, she lives upon the hill
I have a girlfriend who lives in a luxurious place
Sometimes she won't, sometimes I think she will
She is unpredictable at times
Got to shake your moneymaker
You need to move your body to express yourself
Oh, I love you baby, tell you the reason why
I am deeply in love with you
Every time you leave me, go a way down and die
I feel heartbroken whenever you leave me
Oh, go on baby, go on back to school
You need to focus on your education
Well, your mama told me, nothing but a fool
Your mother thinks I am foolish
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elmore James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind