James was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, California, on 25th January 1938, to an unmarried fourteen-year-old mother, Dorothy Hawkins. According to Etta, her mother claimed that her father was the white Rudolph "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone, and that they received financial support from him on the condition that they keep his paternity a secret. This seems unlikely, though it has not been definitively disproved. Etta was born in Los Angeles in 1938. At the time, Wanderone was known to be managing a pool hall in Washington, D.C. and had not yet become known to be the cross-country traveller he later became.
She received her first professional vocal training at five years old from James Earle Hines, musical director of the Echoes of Eden choir at St Paul Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Her family moved to San Francisco in 1950, and she teamed up with two other girls to form a doo-wop singing group. When the girls were fourteen, band leader Johnny Otis had them audition. They sang an answer to Hank Ballard's "Work with Me, Annie" called "Roll Wwth Me Henry". Otis particularly liked the song, and against her mother's wishes, James and the trio went to Los Angeles to record the song in 1954. The song was recorded on the label Modern Records. By this time, the trio renamed the song "The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)" and released it in 1955. James named her vocal group The Peaches. Richard Berry, a Los Angeles doo-wop luminary, is featured on some of their records.
"The Wallflower" reached number two on the rhythm and blues charts in February 1955, but was undercut in the wider market by a rushed-out cover version by Georgia Gibbs on Mercury Records; in fact, the very first time Gibbs was recorded in studio, they used the first take recorded and it became number one on the top 100 songs nationally. The song's royalties were divided between Hank Ballard, Etta James, and Johnny Otis, and its huge success attracted the attention of the R&B world, resulting in James going on tour with Little Richard. On the tour, though, according to James, she witnessed and experienced situations to which minors are not usually privy, and she allegedly acquired a drug habit.
Soon after the success of "Wallflower", The Peaches and James parted company, but this did not halt her career. Shecontinued to record and release albums throughout much of the decade, and enjoyed more success. Her follow-up, "Good Rockin' Daddy", became another fifties hit. Other songs however, such as "Tough Lover" and "W-O-M-A-N" failed to gain any significant success. James toured with Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Otis Redding in the fifties, and has cited Watson as the most significant influence on her style..
In 1960, James signed a recording contract with Chess Records. She went on to have the biggest success of her career from this label, recording her biggest and most memorable hits. Chess went into high gear with James, releasing many duets with her then boyfriend, the married Harvey Fuqua, who was the lead singer of the Moonglows. One of her duets with Fuqua, "If I Can't Have You", became a hit on the R&B charts in 1960. As a solo artist however, she had more enduring success. One of her first singles released by Chess in 1960 was called "All I Could Do Was Cry"; this blues number became a big hit on the R&B charts in 1960. Leonard Chess, one of the founders of Chess Records, helped James along the way. He saw the potential for her to go in a more pop-oriented direction, and she started recording more pop tunes for the label.
The year 1961 became a year of great change for James. In 1961 came the release of one of her first pop-oriented tunes called "At Last". The song became a big hit in 1961, reaching number two on the R&B charts. The song even went as far as twenty-two on the pop charts that year. It became her signature song. Other songs, such as "Trust in Me", also became hits, and the 1962 tune "Something's Got a Hold On Me" showed more of James' gospel side, a genre she had sung since childhood.
She had other big hits in the 1960s, but mainly on the R&B charts: the song "Pushover" in 1963 and "Stop the Wedding", "Fool That I Am", and "Don't Cry Baby", were hits for her between 1961 and 1963. Her 1963 album Etta James Rocks the House, recorded at Nashville's "New Era" club, also gave her career a boost. James then became one of the most successful R&B artists of the 1960s, having many more top ten and top twenty hit singles. Performing in Memphis, Tennessee helped make her into a blues icon.
In 1967, James released her next hit single, "Tell Mama", and it became a top ten hit on the R&B charts. After a dry period of no hits for almost four years, the song once more made James a household name. The follow-up, "Security", was also a success, and proved that James had staying power on the charts again. Whilst less success came for James after this hit, she was still on the charts regularly and, despite the death of Leonard Chess, stayed with the Chess label into 1975. Towards the end of the Chess years though, she went into more rock-based songs. She recorded for many other labels, and continued to release albums, such as 1978's Deep In the Night on Atlantic Records.
Despite a dry period during the early to mid 1980s, James got back on track and began to record music again. She received accolades for her 1981 rendition of Randy Newman's "God's Song". Her 1988 album Seven Year Itch proved this comeback capability; the album showed more of her soul side. In 1989, she recorded the song "Avenue D" with David A. Stewart of Eurythmics. The song was featured on the soundtrack to the Robert Wise film Rooftops. She also performed with the Grateful Dead for two shows in 1982. In the 1990s she continued to record and perform. Her albums widely varied in styles and genres. Her 1992 album, The Right Time, was another soul album that was released by Elektra Records. She also began to record more jazz, which became the style for many of her 1990s albums.
Drug-related and romantic problems interfered with her career, but James managed to maintain a career throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. Later in life, she struggled with obesity, experiencing mobility and knee problems. In 2003, she underwent gastric bypass surgery.
In 2011, a vocal sample from Etta's "Something's Got a Hold on Me" was used in "Levels" by Avicii. "Levels" became a monster EDM hit, making Etta's "sometimes I get a good feeling" one of the most recognizable samples in 21st century music.
She died on 20th January 2012.
All The Way Down
Etta James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The summer heat
Boys playing games
Changing their names
Pulling tricks
Getting their kicks
All the way down
Let it ride
Meeting the stars
In funky bars
Shiny new cars
And back door lies
Trying to hike
Or any other type of ride
All the way down
Let it ride
Trying everything now
Gotta check it out
Trying everything now
Gotta check it out
Hey girl!
You want a blow?
Why not?
I got no where to go
Benny the albino
Says don't be a whino
Try these here flakes
They got what it takes
To make you a star
And change who you are
All the way down
Let it ride
Tell me were you satisfied?
Did you mix it?
Did you like it?
Oh! tell me was it good to you
I wanna know did you make enough money?
Did you make enough money to go down in style?
Or did you find yourself just dying
Dying, dying, dying, after a while?
Got to get off!
Got to get off!
I got to, got to, got to, got to, got to get off!
Please help me, help me!
To git off now, now!
Before I freeze, and before I can come up off my knees
And lose my key to freedom
And I go, all the way down, all the way down
The lyrics of Etta James's song "All The Way Down" discuss the struggles and temptations of those living on the streets, and the promises of a better life that often lead them into dangerous and destructive behavior. The first verse describes boys playing games and changing their names, showing the temporary and superficial nature of their activities. The chorus repeats the phrase "all the way down, let it ride," indicating that they've made a decision to continue on this path, regardless of the consequences. The second verse discusses the allure of fame and the thrill of meeting celebrities, as well as the darker side of drug use, represented by the character Benny the Albino, who encourages the singer to try drugs that will "make you a star and change who you are." The bridge asks the listener about their own experiences with these temptations, whether they were satisfying or ultimately destructive. The final verse expresses a sense of desperation and a desire to escape this self-destructive cycle before it is too late.
One interesting fact about "All The Way Down" is that it was written by Jerry Ragovoy, who was also responsible for writing several of James's other hits, including "Tell Mama" and "I'd Rather Go Blind." Additionally, the song features a prominent bass riff that was later sampled in the hit song "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite. The song was released as a single in 1973 and reached #89 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. James recorded several versions of the song throughout her career, including a live recording at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977. The song has been covered by several other artists, including Dinah Washington and Aretha Franklin.
The chords for "All The Way Down" are as follows: E7, A7, E7, B7, E7, A7, E7. This chord progression gives the song a bluesy feel, which is fitting given James's background as a blues singer. The song is typically played in the key of E minor.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on the street
Walking on the road
The summer heat
The hotness of summer season
Boys playing games
Young males engaging in recreational activities
Changing their names
Assuming false identities
Pulling tricks
Performing deceitful acts
Getting their kicks
Getting enjoyment from questionable activities
All the way down
Going to the extreme, to the lowest of lows
Let it ride
Keep going without inhibitions
Meeting the stars
Interacting with famous people
In funky bars
In low-quality drinking establishments
Shiny new cars
New, expensive vehicles
And back door lies
Deceitful intentions
Trying to hike
Attempting to obtain money through unconventional means
Or any other type of ride
Any other way of making money
Trying everything now
Experimenting with different activities
Gotta check it out
Wanting to try something new
Hey girl!
Addressing a female
You want a blow?
Offering drugs
Why not?
Encouraging drug use
I got no where to go
Having no purpose or direction
Benny the albino
Referring to a drug dealer
Says don't be a whino
Advising not to be addicted to alcohol
Try these here flakes
Encouraging drug use
They got what it takes
Suggesting that drugs can provide success
To make you a star
Implying that drugs can improve one's social status
And change who you are
Drugs can alter one's identity
Tell me were you satisfied?
Asking if you are content
Did you mix it?
Asking if drugs were combined for a better effect
Did you like it?
Asking if you enjoyed the drugs
Oh! tell me was it good to you
Questioning if drugs were 'good' enough
I wanna know did you make enough money?
Asking if you earned sufficient income
Did you make enough money to go down in style?
Questioning if one made enough money to live extravagantly
Or did you find yourself just dying
Implied death from drugs
Dying, dying, dying, after a while?
Repeatedly dying, leading to a painful existence
Got to get off!
Desperate to stop drug use
Please help me, help me!
Desperate cry for help
To git off now, now!
Commanding to quit drugs immediately
Before I freeze, and before I can come up off my knees
Before one becomes unable to take care of themselves
And lose my key to freedom
Losing control and the ability to make choices
And I go, all the way down, all the way down
Hitting rock bottom
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CATHERINE C. WILLIAMSON, GABRIEL MELKER, TREVOR ANTHONY LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joylannetter2451
The lyrics told a part of the Street / Drug Culture!
Out on the street
The summer heat
Boys playing games
Changing their names
Pulling tricks
Getting their kicks
All the way down
Let it ride
Meeting the stars
In funky bars
Shiny new cars
And back door lies
Trying to hike
Or any other type of ride
All the way down
Let it ride
Trying everything now
Gotta check it out
Trying everything now
Gotta check it out
Hey girl!
You want a blow?
Why not?
I got no where to go
Benny the albino
Says don't be a whino
Try these here flakes
They got what it takes
To make you a star
And change who you are
All the way down
Let it ride
Tell me were you satisfied?
Did you mix it?
Did you like it?
Oh! tell me was it good to you
I wanna know did you make enough money?
Did you make enough money to go down in style?
Or did you find yourself just dying
Dying, dying, dying, after a while?
Got to get off!
Got to get off!
I got to, got to, got to, got to, got to get off!
Please help me, help me!
To git off now, now!
Before I freeze, and before I can come up off my knees
And lose my key to freedom
And I go, all the way down, all the way down
@joylannetter2451
This song entered my head this morning. Haven't heard and jammed to it since it came out in '73 when I was 13!!!
The whole jizzie was jammin but the first 4 or 5 verses told some stories!!💃🏿
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All The Way Down
Song by Etta James
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Etta James All the Way Down5:37 · YouTube
Lyrics
Out on the street
The summer heat
Boys playing games
Changing their names
Pulling tricks
Getting their kicks
All the way down
Let it ride
Meeting the stars
In funky bars
Shiny new cars
And back door lies
Trying to hike
Or any other type of ride
All the way down
Let it ride
Trying everything now
Gotta check it out
Trying everything now
Gotta check it out
Hey girl!
You want a blow?
Why not?
I got no where to go
Benny the albino
Says don't be a whino
Try these here flakes
They got what it takes
To make you a star
And change who you are
All the way down
Let it ride
@perri_6
For some reason, this song popped into my head a minutes ago. I Googled the lyrics and was surprised to learn that Etta James sang it. Haven't heard it in decades. As an adult, the song hits different. 😊
@ethanhill9460
Who in hell thumbs down this song. I'd never heard of the singer until this was released; obviously, my bad there, but I was pleased to learn of the singers back catalogue. Who wouldn't?
ETTA JAMES shone brightly from time to time. Praise God for that.
@childene
Never saw that Jimmie Haskell arranged this, as well as Ode To Billie Joe. This is one of my al- time favorite recordings by ANYONE. If disco had taken a hint from this instead of taking the boring route it took, we would have different music today. Breathtakingly brilliant performance by Ms. James, one of our most underrated stars.
@nelsonrasmussen6942
My late friend Tony LOVED this. I preferred Esther Phillips version so we always disagreed, but, we both really liked both versions and we both like Esther and Etta equally-and according to Etta's auto-biography they were best friends to boot!
@leonardbrown2219
Much Respect to Both of you Your conversation/debate is health.I'm on both side of the fence.Esther voice is a little deep.I just wish that the young woman artist would learn how to sing like this.@@nelsonrasmussen6942
@dougskriver6216
Very well thought out and said childene. You are not wrong.
@jooleepoolee
i mean really.....this music is ridicuuuuuulously awesome!!! tracks are NO WAY made like this anymore...the strings at the beginning...EPPPPICCCCCCC!!!
@BigBamBam07
Lawd have Mercy.....I was 17 at the time but my fake ID had me at 21 which allowed me to get into the club.... The first club I sneaked into & the the first jam I danced to was this one! Thanks for posting the jam & may Etta RIP. So many of today's so called female artist should be taking notes from Etta..... No tricks, no dubs, no videos to distract one from the music
@DJGhettoVerite
Utterly sublime... A very brave work & so obviously an honest autobiographical account of one woman's struggle with addiction. It is this that sets this lady apart from her peers - Eartha, Candi, Marlena, Millie, Shirley, Tina, Diana, Gladys, Mary etc. This girl must have had it harder than most - climbing to the top carrying King Heroin on her back every step of the way ain't no easy thing... Diva just doesn't cut it... Divastating is more like it! A definitive & very classy R&B matriarch...
@chelseaguy52
we danced to this in high school, and thought she was anew singer. dummies that we were, none of us knew the Queen had dropped back in to grave us with her never ending talent!