A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, he claimed to have earned his nickname as a result of his loud speaking and singing voice.
During his career as a recording artist, Moore worked with various jazz musicians, including Bennie Moten, Tommy Douglas and Walter Barnes, and had songs recorded by B.B. King and Rufus Thomas.
In 1949, Moore was ordained as a minister First Church of Deliverance in Chicago and went on to preach and perform as a gospel singer and DJ at several radio stations in Memphis, Birmingham and Chicago.
Moore holds distinctions as a survivor of the 1940 Natchez Rhythm Club Fire and as the first blues singer to perform at Carnegie Hall. A brass note on Beale Street Walk of Fame was dedicated to Moore in 1996. He was also featured in Martin Scorsese's 2003 documentary The Blues.
Somebody Got to Go
Gatemouth Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby's in this house with another man and I swear we've got a fight
And somebody's got to go, yes somebody's got to go
It ain't none of me, somebody sure has got to go
Woman you have made me love you, you have got me for a slave
If you don't treat me better I'll be forced to put you in your grave
You sure have to go, yeah I think you got to go
Girls I'm a long tall grey headed man, boy I'm built for speed
If you're man don't have it, well the old man got everything you need
Somebody got to, Yes, get rid of him
Cause it ain't none of me, but somebody's got to go
The lyrics of Gatemouth Moore's song 'Somebody Got to Go' tell a story of a man who caught his significant other cheating on him. Along with the predicament he finds himself in, he also seems to struggle with his emotions - on the one hand, he loves the woman deeply and is willing to fight for her, but on the other hand, he recognizes that the situation can't continue as it is and somebody's got to go. Throughout the song, the singer's repeated mantra that "it ain't none of me" suggests that he is not the one who is in the wrong, and he is only reluctantly accepting the harsh reality of the situation.
The song's lyrics speak to a universal human experience - the pain of being hurt by someone you love, and the inner conflict that arises when you need to make a tough decision. The repeated refrain of "somebody's got to go" adds a sense of urgency and finality to the song, as if the singer knows that things cannot continue the way they are and ultimately someone will have to leave.
Overall, 'Somebody Got to Go' is a powerful blues song with evocative lyrics that speak to the deep emotions of the human soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Say Mr. Jones, tell a polling light
Asking Mr. Jones to tell the neighbors that there is trouble brewing in the house.
My baby's in this house with another man and I swear we've got a fight
Explaining the reason for the fight, which is the partner's infidelity.
And somebody's got to go, yes somebody's got to go
Asserting that someone has to leave the situation to resolve it.
It ain't none of me, somebody sure has got to go
Claiming that the singer is not at fault, and someone else must leave.
Woman you have made me love you, you have got me for a slave
Addressing the partner and highlighting the power imbalance in the relationship, with the singer being the subservient one.
If you don't treat me better I'll be forced to put you in your grave
Threatening the partner with violence if they do not change their behavior.
You sure have to go, yeah I think you got to go
Directly telling the partner that they must leave the relationship.
It ain't none of me mama, you're the one who has got to go
Reiterating that the singer is not the problem, and that the partner must take responsibility for their actions.
Girls I'm a long tall grey headed man, boy I'm built for speed
Introducing the singer as a formidable individual, capable of handling himself in a fight.
If you're man don't have it, well the old man got everything you need
Promoting himself as a superior partner, with more to offer than the listener's current partner.
Somebody got to, Yes, get rid of him
Encouraging the listener to end their current relationship and move on to someone better suited for them.
Cause it ain't none of me, but somebody's got to go
Acknowledging that the listener's current partner may be a fine person, but that they are not right for the listener and must leave.
Contributed by Alex P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.