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.
Standing at the Crossroads
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my head hung down and cryin'
Well I'm standin' at the crossroads,
With my head hung down and cryin'
Well I was thinkin' about my baby,
And I know she can't be found
I work hard for my baby,
I work hard for my baby,
And she treats me like a slave
Well she was be tired of livin',
I'll put her six feet in the grave
I was standin' at the crossroads,
And my baby's not around
Well I was standin' at the crossroads,
And my baby's not around
Well I began to wonder,
If this is Elmore's second down
I' standin' here waitin' baby,
With my heart right in my hand
I' standin' here waitin' baby,
With my heart right in my hand
Well I'm thinkin' about my baby,
And she's out with another man
The lyrics of the song Standing at the Crossroads, by Elmore James, convey the desperation of a man who is standing at a crossroads in his life. The song is about a man who is feeling lost and alone, with his head hung down and crying, because he cannot find his beloved partner. As he stands there, he begins to think about his situation, and the lyrics suggest that he is feeling hopeless and uncertain about his future.
The opening lines of the song, "Well I'm standin' at the crossroads, with my head hung down and cryin'," convey the sense of sadness and despair that the singer is feeling. He is lost and alone, and he is struggling to come to terms with the fact that his partner is no longer with him. The lyrics also suggest that he is beginning to question his own choices and his own life, wondering whether he has made the right decisions and whether he is going to be able to find his way forward.
As the song continues, the singer reveals that he has been working hard for his partner, but that she treats him like a slave. He is angry and frustrated with her, and he feels betrayed by her actions. He suggests that if she continues to treat him this way, he will put her six feet in the grave. However, despite his frustration and anger, he is still waiting for her, with his heart in his hand, hoping that she will return to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm standin' at the crossroads,
With my head hung down and cryin'
Elmore James is feeling down and sad as he stands at the crossroads.
Well I was thinkin' about my baby,
And I know she can't be found
Elmore James is missing his lover and realizes that she is gone.
I work hard for my baby,
And she treats me like a slave
Elmore James feels like he's working hard for his lover but isn't getting treated right by her.
Well she was be tired of livin',
I'll put her six feet in the grave
Elmore James is so angry and frustrated with his lover that he wants to kill her.
Well I began to wonder,
If this is Elmore's second down
Elmore James is questioning whether he's going to lose his lover for the second time.
I' standin' here waitin' baby,
With my heart right in my hand
Elmore James is waiting for his lover to come back to him with his heart in his hand, showing that he really cares about her.
Well I'm thinkin' about my baby,
And she's out with another man
Elmore James is heartbroken as he realized that his lover is cheating on him with another man.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELMORE JAMES, JOE BIHARI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marco Evans
The most essential song performance in American music.
bluesborn
There is always much to be said about Elmores great slide playing but he was also a beautifully emotive blues singer in the bargain.His voice thrills me.
christoper james
Great voice...all out.
Paul Pugh
Howlin wolf esque.....!
Andy Guthrie
A pioneer for sure. Many have passed him by. Cool voice
Linda Black
Elmore James is one of the best blues artist ever .
Greg Deyermenjian
Elmore James is one of the major bluesmen of all time, and a joy to listen to, with style and fabulous voice, phrasing, and feel.
John Wilson
one of my favorite songs of all time....thanks Elmore
Skydog
He was a true king of the blues‼️
dago00
Love this guy, Elmore James King of The Blues