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.
The Twelve Year Old Boy
Elmore James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel bad, I feel terrible, I'm just as sad as I can be
I let a boy that's twelve years old, take my baby away from me
He used to hang around my grill, until late into the night
He used to hang around my grill, until late into the night
Well I never dreamed that my baby and that boy could be so tight
Well if a young boy hangs around you, you better do what I should have did
Well you send him over to your neighbors and hope your neighbors like kids
The lyrics of Elmore James's song The Twelve Year Old Boy express a deep sadness and regret from the singer's perspective. The singer reveals that he feels terrible and sad because a twelve-year-old boy stole his lover from him. He admits that he let the boy linger around his girl, and as a result, the boy took her away from him. The singer's tone is filled with remorse, and it is apparent that he's heartbroken.
The singer also reflects on how the young boy used to hang around his grill until late into the night, but he never imagined that his baby girl and the young boy could be that close. He is surprised and shocked by the development, and he feels foolish that he failed to see the signs earlier. The singer offers some advice to his audience, urging them to be cautious when young boys hang around them. He believes that they should do what he failed to do and send them over to their neighbors and hope their neighbors like kids.
The song's lyrics reveal a tale of betrayal, love, and loss in a simple and straightforward manner. The simplicity of the lyrics adds to its emotional impact as it expresses the singer's emotions in a relatable and understandable manner. The song's melody is upbeat and catchy, contrasting with the sadness and regret in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel bad, I feel terrible, I'm just as sad as I can be
The singer is expressing deep sadness and regret for what has happened.
I let a boy that's twelve years old, take my baby away from me
The singer blames themselves for allowing a 12-year-old boy to steal their significant other.
He used to hang around my grill, until late into the night
The boy spent a lot of time around the singer's home, perhaps trying to woo their partner.
Well I never dreamed that my baby and that boy could be so tight
The artist is surprised and hurt by how close their partner and the boy have become.
Well if a young boy hangs around you, you better do what I should have did
The artist advises others to be cautious around young boys who may have ulterior motives.
Well you send him over to your neighbors and hope your neighbors like kids
The singer suggests sending the boy to someone else's home and hoping they can handle him better.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group
Written by: MEL LONDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Larry Ressler
This record has, by a country mile, the meanest, nastiest Rock guitar solo of the entire 1950s. I LOVE IT!!! Five stars. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
John Llewlyn Davies
Wayne Bennet, inventing the rock vocabulary
techtalentprinciples
I love Elmore James :-) Without doubt one of the best blues singers and slideguitar players.
david milfred
Wayne bennett lead guitar
kikoman hdez
Yes, Wayne Bennet and Eddie Taylor on guitar. That guitar solo, 1:30 2:07 is one of my favorite, is amazing, great and the final riff in 2:08 to 2: 17, ¿were you can hear somethin like that?. That is the 1957 version, much better than 1963 version.
Holly Bardoe
Is this the original 1957 version? OMG, can't stop listening! LOVE it!!
Ron T
My favorite Elmore tune!!!
edejan
Love this song.
JimiLuvsMusic
Elmore James one of the greats.
John Mac
shit yeah!