J. B. Lenoir /ləˈnɔːr/ (Monticello, Mississippi, March 5, 1929 – Urbana, I… Read Full Bio ↴J. B. Lenoir /ləˈnɔːr/ (Monticello, Mississippi, March 5, 1929 – Urbana, Illinois, April 29, 1967) was an African American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, active in the 1950s and 1960s Chicago blues scene.
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."

If You Love Me
J.B. Lenoir Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I think I want her
I think I want her
But I've just lost her
They saying that time heals
So maybe I've got her
This is love is torture
My friends said I warned you
But I think I need it

I know that I'll mourn her
I think I am missing you I'm needing you I'm fiending you
All alone in this bed for two, this house for two, this meal for two
You left I am wanting you, I'm needing you, I'm grieving you
You know that I'm wanting you cas baby girl I dream of you
If you love me baby
You can show me maybe
If you know me baby
You know you drive me crazy
Your driving me insane
Just took two tabs of ecstasy and it's gone straight to the brain
I just wanted you right next to me but you just left me with pain
I think you just wanna fuck me cas
How you saying you love me
But you don't even trust me
But baby I don't trust myself
Cas lately I've been feeling how I've always felt
Always felt
You know that I don't love myself
But you don't understand all of the pain I've dealt
Pain I've dealt(with)
If you love me baby (don't tell me that you love me baby)
You can show me maybe (cas I don't wanna go crazy)
If you know me baby (baby i've been thinking lately)
You know you drive me crazy (that me and you would look good together)
Don't say you love me baby
Cas I don't need you lately
If you know me baby
You know you drive me crazy
I don't think I want her
I don't think I need her
And I've just lost her
They saying that time heals but babe it's not gonna
This is love was a torture
My friends said I warned you
But I don't need it
I know I won't mourn her
I don't think I want it no more
Cas the day you left me so sore
Don't tell me
Please don't tell me that you love me
I don't think I want it no more
Cas the day you left me so sore

I still think I need you baby
Please don't tell me that you love me

Overall Meaning

J.B. Lenoir's song "If You Love Me" is a beautiful ballad about love, trust and mutual understanding. The song begins with the lines "If you love me, you will give your heart, why should we be apart if you love me." The singer highlights how love is not just an emotion, but an action that requires commitment and sacrifice. The second verse goes on to describe that knowing the truth in a relationship is crucial for it to thrive, and love should be celebrated and appreciated.

Lenoir's lyrics highlight the importance of affinity and communication in a relationship. He emphasizes that understanding is the first step towards building a strong bond with your partner. The lines "Affinity and communication/ that makes reality, understanding is the first thing, it means so much to me" suggest that these elements are key to building a loving and lasting relationship.

The song's chorus is about taking the initiative to find the key to a successful relationship. Lenoir reminds us that, "if I love you, I will find the key, and if it's meant to be, 'cause I love you." It's about taking the initiative to work towards building a loving and fulfilling relationship, which will reward you with a lifetime of happiness.

Overall, "If You Love Me" is a beautiful composition that teaches us about the true meaning of love, commitment, and understanding in relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

If you love me
Your love for me should show through your actions

You will give your heart
You will not hold back your emotions and will trust me completely

Why should we be apart
Our love should bring us together, not tear us apart

If you love me
Your actions will reflect your love for me

If you love me
You will understand and accept the truth about me

You will know the truth
You will recognize and appreciate my worth and potential

I wasn't born to lose
I have the ability to succeed in life and in love

And I love you
I love you and want our relationship to work out

Affinity and communication
The connection and understanding we share are crucial

That makes reality
Our bond creates a positive and fulfilling reality