Lenoir's guitar-playing father introduced him to the music of Blind Lemon Jefferson, whose music became a major influence. During the early 1940s, Lenoir worked with blues artists Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James in New Orleans. Lenoir would eventually find musical influence in Arthur Crudup and Lightnin' Hopkins.
In 1949, he moved to Chicago and Big Bill Broonzy helped introduce him to the local blues community. He began to perform at local nightclubs with musicians such as Memphis Minnie, Big Maceo Merriweather, and Muddy Waters, and became an important part of the city's blues scene. He began recording in 1951 the J.O.B. and Chess Records labels. His recording of "Korea Blues" was licensed to and released by Chess, as having been performed by 'J. B. and his Bayou Boys'. His band included pianist Sunnyland Slim, guitarist Leroy Foster, and drummer Alfred Wallace.
During the 1950s Lenoir recorded on various record labels in the Chicago area including J.O.B., Chess, Parrot, and Checker. His more successful songs included "Let's Roll", "The Mojo" featuring saxophonist J. T. Brown, and the controversial "Eisenhower Blues" which his record company, Parrot, forced him to re-record as "Tax Paying Blues."
Lenoir was known in the 1950s for his showmanship - in particular his zebra-patterned costumes - and his high-pitched vocals. He became an influential electric guitarist and songwriter, and his penchant for social commentary distinguished him from many other bluesmen of the time. His most commercially successful and enduring release was "Mamma Talk To Your Daughter", recorded for Parrot in 1954 which reached #11 on the Billboard R&B chart and was later recorded by many other blues and rock musicians. In the later 1950s (recording on the Checker label), he wrote several more blues standards including; "Don't Dog Your Woman", and "Don't Touch My Head!!!" (1956).
In 1963, Lenoir recorded for USA Records as 'J. B. Lenoir and his African Hunch Rhythm', developing an interest in African percussion. However, he struggled to work as a professional musician and for a time took menial jobs, including working in the kitchen at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Lenoir was rediscovered by Willie Dixon, who recorded him with drummer Fred Below on the albums Alabama Blues and Down In Mississippi (inspired by the Civil Rights and Free Speech movements). Lenoir toured Europe, and performed in 1965 with the American Folk Blues Festival in the United Kingdom.
Lenoir's work had direct political content relating to racism and the Vietnam War.
"Alabama Blues"
“I never will go back to Alabama, that is not the place for me,
I never will go back to Alabama, that is not the place for me,
You know they killed my sister and my brother,
And the whole world let them peoples go down there free.”
He died on April 29, 1967 in Urbana, Illinois, aged 38, from a heart attack related to injuries he suffered in a car accident three weeks earlier.
His death was lamented by John Mayall in the songs, "I'm Gonna Fight for You, J.B." and "Death of J. B. Lenoir".
The 2003 documentary film The Soul of a Man, directed by Wim Wenders as the second instalment of Martin Scorsese's series The Blues, explored Lenoir's career, together with those of Skip James and Blind Willie Johnson.
In 2011, Lenoir was inducted to the Blues Hall of Fame.
Although his name is sometimes mispronounced like the French "lan WAH", Lenoir himself pronounced his name a "la NOR". The initials "J.B." had no specific meaning; his given name was simply "J.B."
Feelin' Good
J.B. Lenoir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze drifting by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
A new life
For me feelin' good
Hey there fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River runnin' free
You know how I feel
Blossom on the tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
A new day
A new life
For me feelin' good
Dragonfly out in the sun
You know what I mean
Butterflies all having fun
You know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That's what I mean
And this whole world
Is a new world
And a bold world for me
Do it
Do it
Do it
Do it
Stars when ya shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
A new day
A new life
For me
Haaa-I feel good
I feel good
I feel good
I feel good
J.B. Lenoir's song "Feelin' Good" is a classic soul song that celebrates the joys of life. The lyrics are filled with vivid images of nature and freedom, and the song has a driving beat that is infectious and inspiring. The opening lines of the song set the mood for the entire piece, with Lenoir singing about the beauty of a bird flying high, the sun in the sky, and a breeze drifting by. He invites the listener to share in his sense of wonder and joy at the world around him.
As the song progresses, Lenoir continues to paint pictures with his words, singing about fish in the sea, rivers running free, blossoms on trees, and dragonflies in the sun. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "It's a new dawn, a new day, a new life for me, feeling good," emphasizing the sense of optimism and possibility that permeates the entire piece.
The final verse of the song brings together all of the themes that Lenoir has been exploring throughout the piece, with references to stars shining, the scent of pine, and the feeling of freedom. The repetition of the phrase "I feel good" drives home the message that this is a song about celebrating life in all its glory, and encouraging others to do the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Bird flyin' high
The bird flying high represents freedom and the ability to soar above life's struggles.
You know how I feel
The singer is expressing confidence that the listener can understand the positive emotions he is experiencing.
Sun in the sky
The sun represents warmth and light, bringing happiness and positivity.
Breeze drifting by
The gentle breeze is a reminder of life's small pleasures.
It's a new dawn
The start of a new day represents a fresh chance to enjoy life and find happiness.
A new day
Each day brings opportunities to appreciate the world and its beauty.
A new life
The singer is embracing a new perspective and attitude towards living.
For me feelin' good
The positive experiences and emotions are personal to the artist, who is taking time to appreciate them.
Hey there fish in the sea
The fish in the sea represent abundance and variety in life.
River runnin' free
The unobstructed river represents freedom of movement and emotion.
Blossom on the tree
The blooming tree represents the beauty and vitality of nature.
Dragonfly out in the sun
The dragonfly's ability to thrive in sunlight represents the artist's own ability to appreciate positive experiences.
You know what I mean
The singer is again expressing confidence in the listener's ability to understand the positive emotions being shared.
Butterflies all having fun
The playful butterflies represent simple joys and happiness.
Sleep in peace when day is done
Being able to rest and let go of stress and worry is important to enjoying life's positive experiences.
This whole world is a new world
The artist is describing a shift in perspective and focus, seeing the world and its possibilities in a new light.
And a bold world for me
The artist is embracing the world's potential for growth and change, seeing it as a positive force in their life.
Do it
The singer is urging the listener to embrace life's opportunities and live fully in the moment.
Stars when ya shine
The shining stars represent beauty and wonder in the universe.
Scent of the pine
The natural aroma of pine trees brings the artist joy and appreciation for the environment.
Freedom is mine
The artist is embracing their own ability to choose how they experience the world and enjoy life.
Haaa-I feel good
The repetition of this line emphasizes the powerful, positive feelings being communicated by the artist.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GLADYS KNIGHT, AL. JR. CLAIBORNE, G. GARCIA, EDESIO ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind