Fred Wesley (Born in Mobile, Ala.,July 4, 1943) is an American jazz and fun… Read Full Bio ↴Fred Wesley (Born in Mobile, Ala.,July 4, 1943) is an American jazz and funk trombonist, who played with The Ike and Tina Turner Review in 1962 and Hank Ballard and the Midnighters before his best known period as musical director and arranger for James Brown's backing group The J.B.'s in the late 60's through early 1970s.

Beginning in 1968, as a pivotal member of James Brown's hard working band, Fred Wesley played on numerous hit recordings including: "Say it Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud;" "Mother Popcorn;" and co-wrote tunes such as "Hot Pants".

The lineup would shift occasionally, and, Wesley who'd left Brown's group for a period, in a pay dispute, rejoined as official leader in 1970, beginning a very fruitful period that lasted through 1975.

The J.B's scored several instrumental hits in the early 70s, including: "Pass the Peas," "The Grunt","Gimmie Some More;" and the #1 R&B "Doing It to Death;" on Brown's People Records imprint distributed through Polydor. In 1974 they had three top 40 hits: "Same Beat;" "If You Don't Get It the First Time, Back Up and Try It Again, Party;" and "Damn Right I Am Somebody."

While the J.B.'s sound has most often been associated with three hornmen in particular -- Wesley, along with saxophonists Maceo Parker and Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis, other key J.B.'s in the group included at one time or another: tenor saxman St. Clair Pinckney; saxophonist Jimmy Parker, and a trumpet section consisting of Jerone Jasaan Sanford, Russell Crimes, and Isiah "Ike" Oakley.

Others who played on key recordings included: Bobby Byrd on organ; bassists Fred Thomas or William "Bootsy" Collins and his guitarist brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins, other guitarists included Hearlon "Cheese" Martin and Jimmy Nolen.

Drums were played by either John "Jabo" Starks, or John Morgan joined by conga player Johnny Griggs.

Wesley, along with saxophonist Maceo Parker, helped define the instrumental potentials of funk and are heavily sampled by Hip Hop producers & DJs. Both men left Brown's band in 1975, and spent several years playing with George Clinton's various Parliament/Funkadelic projects, like Bootsy’s Rubber Band, and they recorded a couple of albums specifically focused on their talents, as the spin-off group, The Horny Horns featuring fellow J.B.'s refugee, Pee Wee Ellis.

The various members of the J.B.'s occasionally would get back together for reunions and side projects, including a stint in the 90's performing as The JB Horns, and they recently released a single in 2008, admonishing black youth to have some dignity and Pull Your Pants Up!!

Alone Again
Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

He never meant to upset her
When his nightmares came true
Lost faces, some places, It ends so soon
She only marked her time, with someone else's watch
And he sits there lonely
Broken bottles for what
Rabbit hole, she fell down, and discovered something new
She could lie to make herself feel all brand new

Now he's alone again
Like he's used to
She makes her friends believe
What's untrue
Deaf, dumb and doomed
Just be glad it's me, not you
Now he's alone again
Like he's used to
She makes her friends believe
What's untrue
They know it's got to end
It's never something new
Deaf, dumb and doomed
Just be glad it's me, not you

Be glad it's me
Not you

Overall Meaning

In the song "Alone Again" by Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s, the lyrics convey a sense of emotional turmoil and loneliness. The singer unintentionally upsets someone, possibly a partner or love interest, when his nightmares become a reality. It appears that this person reacts by distancing themselves and finding solace in the company of others. The line "She only marked her time, with someone else's watch" suggests that she is merely passing time with someone else, possibly using them as a distraction from her own emotional struggles.

The lyrics also paint a picture of deception and a lack of authenticity. The singer's companion lies to herself in order to find a temporary sense of renewal. However, this leaves the singer feeling even more alone as he becomes accustomed to solitude. The repeated refrain of "just be glad it's me, not you" implies that the singer recognizes the pain that comes with being in this situation and wishes it upon no one else.

Overall, the song explores themes of heartbreak, deception, and the isolation that can come from failed relationships. It delves into the complexities of human emotions and the mistakes we make when trying to cope with pain.

Line by Line Meaning

He never meant to upset her
He did not intend to cause her distress

When his nightmares came true
When his worst fears became a reality

Lost faces, some places, It ends so soon
Encountering unfamiliar faces and surroundings, the situation abruptly concludes

She only marked her time, with someone else's watch
She measured her days using someone else's perception of time

And he sits there lonely
He remains alone and isolated

Broken bottles for what
What purpose do the shattered bottles serve?

Rabbit hole, she fell down, and discovered something new
She delved into the depths of a challenging situation and made a novel realization

She could lie to make herself feel all brand new
She could deceive others and herself to obtain a sense of freshness and renewal

Now he's alone again
Now he finds himself solitary once more

Like he's used to
As he has become accustomed to

She makes her friends believe
She convinces her friends