Turner was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on November 5, 1931, to Beatrice Cushenberry, a seamstress, and Izear Luster Turner, a Baptist minister. Ike got his first taste the music business at the age of eight, helping the DJ at a local Clarksdale radio station, WROX.
Turner was soon carrying amplifiers for blues singer Robert Nighthawk, who often played live on WROX. Growing up, Turner's idol Pinetop Perkins helped teach the young Ike to play boogie-woogie on the piano. Ike soon was enamored of other blues artists such as Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Charley Booker, Elmore James, Muddy Waters and Little Walter.
Ike Turner's actual music career began in earnest in the late-1940s where he formed a group he christened Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm. In 1951, the band recorded what some historians have called "the first rock and roll record" with "Rocket 88", credited to Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (this band did not actually exist). Brenston was both the band's saxophonist and the lead vocalist of the song, and on the original Chess release was listed as the song's writer. "Rocket 88" was produced at Sun Studio in Memphis by Sam Phillips. The record was one of the first examples of guitar distortion, which happened by accident when one of the amplifiers was dropped before the recording.
Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm settled into local fame in St. Louis where the band locally recorded for a St. Louis label and even appeared on local television shows. Throughout this early period, Turner became a recording scout and A&R man for independent record companies including Sun Records, helping the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Elmore James and Otis Rush get signed. He also became a sideman playing guitar for these blues acts and more. Musically, Turner was known for his hard-hitting guitar style. He was known to put the whammy bar of his Fender Stratocaster to frequent use.
Turner's music career changed drastically after meeting a teenage singer from Nutbush, Tennessee, named Anna Mae Bullock, who demandingly grabbed a microphone during a singing session at one of St. Louis' nightspots and sang a B.B. King song in her now-trademark throated raspy vocals. Bullock's performance impressed Ike so much he allowed Anna to join his band as a background singer. However within a year, Ike's plans for Bullock changed after Anna recorded what he originally stated was a demo for a song that was to be sung by a male vocalist. After hearing her vocals, he let it be released under an independent label and in the process changed the name of the singer from Anna Mae Bullock to Tina Turner - naming her after Sheena - and the name of the band to the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. It is believed that this singular act is what propelled Tina Turner into the spotlight. "A Fool in Love" became a national hit in early 1960, reaching the top three in the R&B charts and becoming a top thirty pop hit in the process. From then until 1976, Ike & Tina Turner became one of the most explosive duos in rock & soul music.
After Tina abruptly left Ike after a violent altercation in 1976, Ike lost ground in the national music market. As a solo artist, he struggled to find success after Tina and after releasing two failed solo albums, had found himself facing drug and weapons charges, of which he was convicted in 1989.
When Ike was released from prison in 1993, he was met at the prison gate by Jeanette Bazzell who later became his wife. Jeanette was instrumental in helping Ike rebuild his career. She replaced Tina as Ike's lead singer and eventually they toured the world playing many blues festivals. After the intense negative publicity generated against him as a wife abuser by Tina's movie, "What's Love Got to Do with It", Ike's acceptance in the USA as a legendary blues artist and composer was limited, though better in other countries. During this time he recorded two solo albums in his own studio, and he wrote his autobiography called Taking Back My Name. He also re-recorded "I'm Blue" in a duet style with Billy Rogers. The remake received strong reviews from Billboard Magazine.
Ike was back on the road and back into recording music, which continued until his death. In 2001, Ike released the Grammy-nominated Here & Now album. In 2005, he appeared on the Gorillaz' album, Demon Days, playing piano on the track, "Every Planet We Reach Is Dead". In 2007, Ike won his first solo Grammy in the Best Traditional Blues Album category for the album, Risin' With the Blues. Shortly before his death, a collaboration between Turner and The Black Keys was planned, but the project would never be completed, .
Turner died on December 12, 2007 at 76 years of age at his home in San Marcos, California, near San Diego. Little Richard was asked by the family to speak at the funeral. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported that Turner died from a cocaine overdose complicated by "[...] other significant conditions, such as hypertensive cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema."
It's Gonna Work out Fine
Ike Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Honey that was the plan from the very beginning)
Darling (un huh) I never thought that this could be
(What you mean?) oh yeah
Your lips set my soul on fire
You fulfill my every desire
Oh darling (yes, yes), I think it's gonna work out fine
(It's gonna work out fine)
I wanna tell you something Ike
Ike (un huh), I went to see the preacher man
(A preacher man, you must be losin' your mind)
I started (started what?) I started making wedding plans
(Oh really?) oh yeah
If your love is half as true as the love I offer you
Oh darling (yes, yes), I think it's gonna work out fine
(It's gonna work out fine)
I keep a tellin' ya
(I think it's gonna work out fine)
I can feelin' it's gonna
(I think it's gonna work out)
I keep a tellin' you
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
I'm so glad that you're mine all mine
Remember (remember what?) they used to call you Dapper Dan
(Yes those were the good old days)
The thriller (the killer, honey)
The every woman's lovin' man (that's me) oh yeah
A whole lot of girls used to be your speed
But now baby darling I'm all you need
Oh darling (yes, yes), I know it's gonna work out fine
(It's gonna work out fine)
I keep a tellin' ya
(I think it's gonna work out fine)
I can feelin' it's gonna
(I think it's gonna work out)
I keep a tellin' you
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
I know it's gonna
(know it's gonna work out fine))
I want you to know it's gonna
(I know it's gonna work out fine) yeah, yeah
It's got to work
(I know it's gonna work out)
I want to tell you
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
I got to tell you it's gonna
(I know it's gonna work out)
I got to work, and work, and work
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
I know, I know it's gonna work out
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
The lyrics of the song "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" by Ike Turner and Tina Turner are a conversation between the two singers about their relationship. The song starts with Ike calling Tina to come closer to him and Tina responding positively that it was her intention from the very beginning. There are no inhibitions between them and they feel that they are perfect for each other. The way Ike sings, "Your lips set my soul on fire, you fulfill my every desire" is a testament to the passionate love he felt for Tina. Tina reciprocates these feelings so much so that she has even started making wedding plans with a preacher man. They both feel that the love they have for each other is true and works out fine for them.
The conversation between Ike and Tina in the song is one of openness and assurance. The lyrics make a statement about the fact that the couple feels that their love is real and will hold true despite any obstacles. The song is a portrayal of a romantic love story that is strong and unbreakable.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling (yes Tina) it's time to get next to me
Ike wants Tina to be close to him
(Honey that was the plan from the very beginning)
Tina reassures Ike that she wanted to be close to him
Darling (un huh) I never thought that this could be
Ike expresses disbelief that he and Tina are together
(What you mean?) oh yeah
Tina agrees that their relationship is unexpected
Your lips set my soul on fire
Ike is physically drawn to Tina
You fulfill my every desire
Ike is emotionally fulfilled by Tina
Oh darling (yes, yes), I think it's gonna work out fine
Ike believes their relationship will be successful
(It's gonna work out fine)
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
I wanna tell you something Ike
Tina has something important to say
Ike (un huh), I went to see the preacher man
Tina has spoken to a religious figure
(A preacher man, you must be losin' your mind)
Ike is surprised by Tina's decision to talk to a preacher
I started (started what?) I started making wedding plans
Tina is making plans for their marriage
(Oh really?) oh yeah
Ike is skeptical, but Tina is serious
If your love is half as true as the love I offer you
Tina believes that Ike loves her as much as she loves him
Oh darling (yes, yes), I think it's gonna work out fine
Tina believes their relationship will be successful
(It's gonna work out fine)
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
I keep a tellin' ya
Ike continues to reassure Tina
(I think it's gonna work out fine)
Ike believes their relationship will be successful
I can feelin' it's gonna
Ike is confident in their future
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
Ike is sure their relationship will be successful
I'm so glad that you're mine all mine
Ike is happy to be with Tina
Remember (remember what?) they used to call you Dapper Dan
Ike is reminiscing about Tina's nickname
(Yes those were the good old days)
Tina agrees that they had good times in the past
The thriller (the killer, honey)
Ike is describing himself as a ladies' man
The every woman's lovin' man (that's me) oh yeah
Ike believes that he is the perfect lover for women
A whole lot of girls used to be your speed
Ike implies that Tina dated many people before him
But now baby darling I'm all you need
Ike is confident that he is the only one that Tina needs
Oh darling (yes, yes), I know it's gonna work out fine
Ike is sure their relationship will be successful
(It's gonna work out fine)
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
I want you to know it's gonna
Ike wants Tina to believe that their relationship will be successful
(I know it's gonna work out fine) yeah, yeah
Ike is sure their relationship will be successful
It's got to work
Ike is determined for their relationship to succeed
I want to tell you
Ike wants to communicate something to Tina
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
Ike is sure their relationship will be successful
I got to tell you it's gonna
Ike wants to assure Tina that their relationship will be successful
(I know it's gonna work out)
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
I got to work, and work, and work
Ike is willing to put in effort for their relationship
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
Ike is sure their relationship will be successful
I know, I know it's gonna work out
Ike is confident that their relationship will be successful
(I know it's gonna work out fine)
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertmalone3525
My late wife, who was not into R&B, always got excited whenever she heard this song.
@TheMagicRat
RIP Tina! You were an amazing woman and performer, with a uniquely powerful voice! You will be missed.
@JayDesLaRae
After hearing about her passing today it brought me here. RIP to the iconic Tina Turner 💔🙏🏾🕊️
@johnwest5407
I know thats right i cry when i heard it on the tv yestherday 💔😢😢 RIP
@JayDesLaRae
@@johnwest5407 i was crying too. I loved her!! Before there was Beyoncé, it was Tina 💕
@juliecourville8227
'I'm not beautiful but I'm attractive'
You are beautiful Tina. 💛
@shawnmalone9711
Rest In Peace, Tina Turner, 1939-2023. 😢
@nicolelajoi7304
R.I.P to the Queen of Rock & Roll! Always remembered and forever will be missed!! 🙌🏿🙏🏾🙏🏾
@trixier6505
RIP, Tina. This is my fave song of yours.
@joebanta9342
RIP. What a lady! She’s the OG riot grrrl.