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."
Here I Stand
J.B. Lenoir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The angels are calling me
Hold on to what you believe in
I feel you flowing throughout me
Bells ring, the churches are filling around you
The world's changed but still I can see you
Making the love that we need
Blessed be on this day
Your love was made this way One gift to free us all
One heart to beat the call
So here I stand
Your voice hear me, I believe
Children singing blessed be
Hold me I feel can't you see
Your love's flowing right through me
Time sings as the world joins together
Rejoicing as one we are stronger
My soul lifts to know that you're here by my side
Bells ring, the churches are filling around you
The world's changed but still I can see you
Making the love that we need
Blessed be on this day
Your love was made this way
One gift to free us all
One heart to beat the call
Blessed be on this day
Your love was made this way
So here I stand
Here I stand
Here I stand
In the song "Here I Stand" by J.B. Lenoir, the lyrics convey a deep sense of spiritual connection and belief in the power of love and unity. The opening lines speak of hearing a divine voice, suggesting a spiritual presence that guides and supports the singer. This celestial connection is reinforced by references to angels and the feeling of being enveloped by a higher power. The repetition of "Hold on to what you believe in" emphasizes the importance of faith and staying true to one's convictions in the face of challenges.
As the song progresses, the imagery shifts to a scene of churches filling with worshipers, symbolizing a collective coming together in the name of love. Despite the changes in the world, the presence of this love remains constant and unifying. The notion of love being essential for human connection and fulfillment is highlighted, emphasizing its transformative and unifying potential. The idea of one heart beating the call alludes to a shared purpose and a call to action, uniting individuals in a common cause.
The chorus of "Blessed be on this day, Your love was made this way" further exalts the power of love as a divine gift that has the ability to bring about freedom and unity. The repetition of this phrase underscores its significance and the singer's gratitude for this unconditional love. The declaration of standing firm in the face of adversity and uncertainty reflects a sense of resilience and unwavering belief in the power of love to prevail.
In the final stanza, the imagery of children singing and the world joining together evoke a sense of joy and celebration in the shared experience of love. The singer's acknowledgment of feeling the love flowing through them signifies a deep connection to this universal force. The song concludes with a reaffirmation of standing strong in the presence of love, symbolizing a commitment to continue embracing its transformative and unifying power. Overall, "Here I Stand" celebrates the transcendent nature of love and the profound impact it can have on individual lives and the world at large.
Line by Line Meaning
Your voice falling from heaven I hear you
I sense your divine presence in my life
The angels are calling me
Spiritual guidance is leading me
Hold on to what you believe in
Stay true to your faith and values
I feel you flowing throughout me
I am filled with your love and energy
Bells ring, the churches are filling around you
The community gathers in worship and praise
The world's changed but still I can see you
Despite challenges, your presence is clear
Making the love that we need
Providing the love and support we require
Blessed be on this day
Celebrate the blessings of today
Your love was made this way
Your love is pure and unconditional
One gift to free us all
A gift of redemption for everyone
One heart to beat the call
Uniting us in a common purpose
So here I stand
I stand firm in my faith and commitment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Christopher Wright, Jonathan Robson, Michael Robson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Voorheis
dams albert,I think I can explain it to you in French. I understand your problem since J.B.'s way of expressing himself includes Southern argot or regional language. Generally,he is asking his girlfriend's mother to advise the girl that she's made him fall in love with her,and that he will therefore be pursuing her and not giving up!
I would title the song something like "Avises ta fille" ;)
"Mama, mama please talk to your daughter 'bout me"
- "Maman priere avise ta fille pour moi (2)"
"She had made me to love her and I ain't gonna leave her be" "Had made me to love her" is incorrect English. He means simply "She made me love her",but people in rural areas of our Southland and elsewhere have their own ways of talking! As In France,for example,they speak differently in la Correze than in Paris,non? :) "Leave her be" means leave her alone.
-"Elle a gagne mon coeur - je la suive et ne m'arrete pas" lol Forgive my bad poetry,it's just to help you!
- "I ain't gonna stand no quitting and she won't dog me around" There are different definitions but "dog me around" in blues means humiliate someone by cheating on them. So he's sayin she'd better not quit him or cheat on him.
-" Elle doit pas me quitter,ni me trahir avec un autre"
- " If she dogs me round she'll sleep six feet in the ground." If she cheats on me,I'll bury her in the ground,meaning of course that he'll kill her.
-" Si elle me fait comme ca,je la mis dans le tombeau "
I hope this helps.....I love J.B.'s blues and I'm glad you do too! Salut! =Brian V=
Phil Vigil
JB. Blues legend...those who heard him never forgot his style often inspired legends.
Painless Removals
The great J B Lenoir! Saw him in 1965 on the American Folk Blues Festival. He was the first onstage with just his acoustic guitar - although Fred Below was the house drummer & is playing on this song. He might've seemed like the warm up act but he launched straight into a stunning Alabama Blues. I sat in the front row electrified by that beautiful voice, his sweet guitar & the passion of his performance. Lyrics here are metaphorical but unlikely to gain favour with the girl's mother. Just trying to get across the depth of his feeling for a girl who's obviously playing around with him... Great performance but so much more intense live!
Brian Voorheis
Steve Fanger,man this is so cool! I saw that tour in Munich I think in '65,while in the Army. What a lineup : J.B.,Big Mama,Buddy Guy,Big Walter,Lonesome jimmy Lee on bass,as you say the great Fred "Backbeat" Below, Miz'ssippi Fred McDowell and Roosevelt Sykes. I'm sure I've forgotten someone. Thanks for the reminder!
The Mighty Cadillacs
Great blues. Just great.
Rob Picazo
Such a great peformer, with a great song. From which album is this version?
Slavko Cosic
Wow...This Rocks...Light & Love...
crad renshaw
Lenoir was an excellent singer no question. Though this is not the best version he ever cut of this song.
Michael Hommerich
Großartig!
deskryptic
Genius!
Jimmy J
https://youtu.be/pUE1YKBHtjs is JB Lenoir's best vocals on this song and this song is his best guitar work... Someone should digitally remaster them both and combine it for the masterpiece version of this song...