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."
You Must Believe Me
Ike Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Darlin', it just didn't happen that way
No no, it just didn't happen that way
You've come home with somethin' on your mind
Darlin', tell me, why are you cryin'
You say be serious, no time for fun
The things you've heard couldn't be denied
But before your opinion, listen to my side
And you must believe me
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Darlin', it just didn't happen that way
No no, it just didn't happen that way
Whoa, it's all right
Whoa, it's all right
Girl, you're wrong to believe what was said
For you see nothing could ever be that bad
Though the talk is now all over town
Darling, you know I'd never put you down
True, her and me were at the party as guests
There's nothing else to say about whom I love best
And you must believe me
No matter what the people might say
You must believe me
Darlin', it just didn't happen that way
No no, it just didn't happen that way
Whoa, it's all right
Whoa, it's all right
Whoa, it's all right
Whoa, it's all right
Ike Turner's song "You Must Believe Me" tells a story about a man trying to convince his partner to trust him despite rumors and gossip spreading about their relationship. The singer urges his partner to believe in him and not listen to what other people say. He assures her that whatever she heard or whatever doubts she may have, it didn't happen the way it's been portrayed. He asks her to share what is bothering her, expressing his concern as he notices her sadness and tears. The man wants her to be serious and open up to him instead of being influenced by the opinions of others.
The lyrics portray a sense of desperation and pleading as the singer tries to defend himself and save their relationship from falling apart due to the rumors. He admits that there may be some truth to what has been said, but he asks for a chance to share his side of the story before passing judgment. His hope is to make her understand that the talk and gossip are exaggerated and untrue. He emphasizes his love for her and asserts that nothing could ever be as bad as it has been made out to be.
Ultimately, the song serves as a plea for trust and understanding in a relationship. The singer is willing to fight against the doubts and gossip surrounding them, asking his partner to believe in him and the love they share.
Line by Line Meaning
You must believe me
I need you to trust and have faith in me
No matter what the people might say
Regardless of the rumors or gossip going around
Darlin', it just didn't happen that way
My actions or intentions were not as they have been described
No no, it just didn't happen that way
I'm emphasizing that the situation has been misunderstood
You've come home with somethin' on your mind
I notice that you're troubled and have something bothering you
Darlin', tell me, why are you cryin'
I'm asking you why you're upset and shedding tears
You say be serious, no time for fun
You're requesting a serious conversation and no room for playful moments
While tryin' to tell me somethin' that I've done
As you attempt to explain something I am being accused of
The things you've heard couldn't be denied
There is some truth in the things you have heard
But before your opinion, listen to my side
Before forming your own judgment, please hear my perspective
Whoa, it's all right
I want to assure you that everything will be okay
Girl, you're wrong to believe what was said
My dear, it is inaccurate for you to trust in the things that were spoken
For you see nothing could ever be that bad
I want you to understand that the situation is not as severe as portrayed
Though the talk is now all over town
Although there is now gossip circulating everywhere
Darling, you know I'd never put you down
My love, you are aware that I would never degrade or belittle you
True, her and me were at the party as guests
Indeed, she and I were both present at the party as invited attendees
There's nothing else to say about whom I love best
There is no doubt that you are the one I love the most
Whoa, it's all right
I want to reiterate that everything will be alright
Whoa, it's all right
Let me assure you once more that everything is going to be fine
Whoa, it's all right
I want to emphasize that there is no need to worry
Whoa, it's all right
Rest assured, everything is going to be okay
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ike & Tina Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jobu 13
great album, thanks for posting