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.
Miss You
Etta James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been sleepin' all alone
'Cause I miss you
I've been hangin' on the phone
I've been sleepin' all alone
I want kiss you
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
I've been moanin' in my sleep
You've been starrin' in my dreams
'Cause I miss you, child
I've been waitin' in the hall
I've been waitin' on your call
And the phone rings
It's just a friend of mine sayin'
"Hey, hey, what's the matter with you, girl?
We're gonna come about twelve
With some bad Puerto Rican dudes
Ah, they're gonna be just dyin' to meet you
We're gonna bring a case of wine
And we're gonna mess around like we used to"
La la la la la
La la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
I miss you, baby
Baby, why did you wait so long?
I wanna know, yeah, yeah
Baby, why did you wait so long?
Hey, come on, come on
I've been walkin' Central Park
Singin' after dark
People think I'm crazy
Stumbling on my feet
Shufflin' through the street
Asking people, "Hey, what's the matter with you, boy?"
Sometimes I wanna say to myself
Oh oh oh oh
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Oh, whoa whoa whoa
Oh, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Oh, whoa whoa whoa, babe
Oh, whoa whoa whoa, baby
Guess I'm lying to myself
There's just you and nobody, nobody else
'Cause I miss you, baby
I've been waitin' in the hall
Waitin' on your call
And the phone rings
It's just a friend of mine sayin'
"Hey, hey, girl, what's the matter with you?
We're gonna come about twelve
And, with some Puerto Rican dudes
Oh, ay, ay ay ay ay
They're just dyin' to meet you
We're gonna bring a case of wine
And we're gonna mess around
You know what I mean, like we used to"
La la la la
I've been waitin' in the hall
Waitin' on your call
Whoa, 'cause I miss you, baby
I guess I'm lyin' to myself
There's just you and no on else
Believe me, baby
And I miss you, baby
The song "Miss You" by Etta James conveys a sense of longing and deep desire for an absent lover. The first verse speaks of the loneliness and sleepless nights that have been experienced since the person has been gone. The second verse delves into dreams and how this person is constantly on her mind. The pre-chorus highlights how she is waiting for the person's call, and the chorus repeats how much she misses him.
The bridge is where things escalate as she sings about walking through Central Park, singing and stumbling, feeling as if people think she's crazy. She's asking herself what's wrong and imagining herself talking to the person she misses, but he's not there. She's lying to herself, hoping he'll come, and then the verse ends with the phone ringing, but it's not him, it's just a friend.
Overall, "Miss You" is a powerful and emotional song about love, loss, and longing. Etta James' soulful voice and the lyrics make it a timeless classic that still resonates with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been holdin' out so long
I've been waiting for you for a long time, hoping to see you soon.
I've been sleepin' all alone
I feel lonely and find it hard to sleep without you beside me.
'Cause I miss you
I miss you deeply and need you to be here with me.
I've been hangin' on the phone
I keep waiting for your call, checking my phone all the time.
I want kiss you
I long for your affection and desire to kiss you.
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Expressing the pain I feel with an emotional outburst.
I've been moanin' in my sleep
I wake up in the middle of the night complaining because I cannot rest.
You've been starrin' in my dreams
You appear persistently in my dreams at night.
'Cause I miss you, child
I miss you so much it hurts, and I cannot help but call you child affectionately.
I've been waitin' in the hall
I anxiously wait for you to call or come to see me in the hallway.
And the phone rings
Finally, the phone rings, and I get excited that you might have finally called.
It's just a friend of mine sayin'
Unfortunately, it's not you but a friend, who calls and taunts me with talk of meeting up with some guys soon.
"Hey, hey, what's the matter with you, girl?
The friend on the phone wonders why I am acting this way and what the problem is.
We're gonna come about twelve
The friend is planning on showing up at noon with some friends.
With some bad Puerto Rican dudes
The friends coming along are tough-looking Puerto Rican guys.
Ah, they're gonna be just dyin' to meet you
The friend taunts me that the Puerto Rican guys will be excited to meet me.
We're gonna bring a case of wine
The friend is bringing a case of wine to get drunk with them.
And we're gonna mess around like we used to
The friend is hinting at the time we used to spend together and how they want those moments back.
La la la la la
Expressing my pain and frustration through nonsensical sounds.
Baby, why did you wait so long?
Asking you why you have made me wait for so long and why you have not come back to me yet.
I've been walkin' Central Park
Trying to distract myself by going for walks and staying outdoors in Central Park.
Singin' after dark
Singing out loud when no one's around at night to try and cheer myself up.
People think I'm crazy
People looking at me as they walk by might think I'm insane.
Stumbling on my feet
I have trouble walking because I am not fully focused on my surroundings.
Shufflin' through the street
Trying to walk through the street in a hurry or carelessly without a specific intention or destination.
"Hey, what's the matter with you, boy?"
Random people might ask me what's wrong or what I'm doing when they see me acting strangely.
I've been waitin' on your call
Waiting for you to call me back or let me know you're coming over.
Guess I'm lying to myself
Admitting to myself that I'm not being truthful and am trying to fool myself into believing things will work out.
There's just you and nobody, nobody else
There's no one else but you, and I cannot be happy without you.
Believe me, baby
Asking you to take my word and trust that I am sincere about my feelings for you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zoevartuli9808
I've been holdin' out so long
I've been sleepin' all alone
'Cause I miss you
I've been hangin' on the phone
I've been sleepin' all alone
I want kiss you
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
I've been moanin' in my sleep
You've been starrin' in my dreams
'Cause I miss you, child
I've been waitin' in the hall
I've been waitin' on your call
And the phone rings
It's just a friend of mine sayin'
"Hey, hey, what's the matter with you, girl?
We're gonna come about twelve
With some bad Puerto Rican dudes
Ah, they're gonna be just dyin' to meet you
We're gonna bring a case of wine
And we're gonna mess around like we used to"
La la la la la
La la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
I miss you, baby
Baby, why did you wait so long?
I wanna know, yeah, yeah
Baby, why did you wait so long?
Hey, come on, come on
I've been walkin' Central Park
Singin' after dark
People think I'm crazy
Stumbling on my feet
Shufflin' through the street
Asking people, "Hey, what's the matter with you, boy?"
Sometimes I wanna say to myself
Oh oh oh oh
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Oh, whoa whoa whoa
Oh, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Oh, whoa whoa whoa, babe
Oh, whoa whoa whoa, baby
Guess I'm lying to myself
There's just you and nobody, nobody else
'Cause I miss you, baby
I've been waitin' in the hall
Waitin' on your call
And the phone rings
It's just a friend of mine sayin'
"Hey, hey, girl, what's the matter with you?
We're gonna come about twelve
And, with some Puerto Rican dudes
Oh, ay, ay ay ay ay
They're just dyin' to meet you
We're gonna bring a case of wine
And we're gonna mess around
You know what I mean, like we used to"
La la la la
I've been waitin' in the hall
Waitin' on your call
Whoa, 'cause I miss you, baby
I guess I'm lyin' to myself
There's just you and no on else
Believe me, baby
And I miss you, baby
@shawnlittle346
I bought this album for my dads 50th bday and man we had some good times listening to this over a couple beers
@AntonioBrucoli
Beautiful version...RIP, Etta!
@MrBandidodo
How Cool is this?....R.I.P Etta Thanks for the Music.
@sanford9850
i'm gonna miss misses etta james.........she's been a presence and an important influence in my lifelong love of rhythm and blues and soul music since the 1950's and for that i'm incredibly thankful
@elaela8371
❤❤❤
@snello2006
Etta James number one of the world!
@maryhunt1954
Am so glad I was able to see her awesome, Never will forget it. The queen of rhythm of blue!!!!❤️
@lensosasosa1455
I believe you're truly blessed
@snowlionbaba
this is pure love, you can see the world through the eye of your mind [ ego ], or you can see the world through the eye of your heart.......like etta....she only sings from the garden of her heart..... no weeds...thank you , thank you, thank you , words haven't been given the power to express the feelings of the heart.........miss you
@levonpoe
She owns this song