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."

Let's Roll
J.B. Lenoir Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, everybody, let's have some fun
You only live but once
And when you're dead you're done

So let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
I don't care if you're young or old
Get together, let the good times roll

Don't sit there mumblin', talkin' trash
If you wanna have some fun
You gotta spend some cash

So let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
I don't care if you're young or old
Go out and get together, let the good times roll

Don't sit there mumblin', talkin' trash
If you wanna have a ball
You better spend some cash

So let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Yeah, I don't care if you're young or old
Go out and get together, let the good times roll

Hey Mister Landlord, lock up all the doors
When the police comes around
Just tell them that the joint is closed

And let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
I don't care if you're young or old
Get up and get together and let the good times roll

Hey everybody, tell everybody
That B.B. and Bob is in town
I got a dollar and a quarter
And I'm just rarin' theclown
But don't let nobody play me cheap
I got fifty cents more that I'm gonna keep

I don't care if you're young or old
Let's get together and let the good times roll

Let them roll, let them roll
Let them roll, let them roll, let them roll, baby
Let them roll all night long, let them roll all night long, let them roll all night long
Let them roll all night long
Let them roll, let them roll
Let them roll, let them roll all night long
Let them, can I hear it one more time, everybody
Let them roll, let them roll all night long
Let them roll all night long, let them roll all night long

Oh shit
Oh shit

Overall Meaning

The song "Let's Roll" by J.B. Lenoir is a fun and celebratory anthem that encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy life. It begins with a call to action: "Hey, everybody, let's have some fun." The song acknowledges that life is short and should be enjoyed to the fullest while also reminding the listener that they are responsible for making their own fun. The refrain, "Let the good times roll," is repeated throughout the song and serves as a reminder to loosen up, dance, and enjoy oneself.

The verses of the song express the idea that having fun often requires spending money. "Don't sit there mumblin', talkin' trash / If you wanna have some fun / You gotta spend some cash," sings Lenoir. He suggests that the listener should be willing to spend money to have a good time, encouraging them to "Go out and get together" and "Let the good times roll."

The final verse of the song shows a more rebellious side, encouraging listeners to ignore authority figures and continue having fun. Lenoir sings, "Hey Mister Landlord, lock up all the doors / When the police comes around / Just tell them that the joint is closed." This verse celebrates the idea of staying out late and defying rules, reinforcing the song's message of living life to the fullest.

Overall, "Let's Roll" is an upbeat and lively song that celebrates the joys of life and encourages people to have fun while they can.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, everybody, let's have some fun
Life is short and should be enjoyed while we can.

You only live but once
We only have one life to live.

And when you're dead you're done
When we die, there's nothing else left to do.

So let the good times roll
Let's enjoy life and have a good time.

I don't care if you're young or old
Age doesn't matter. We should all have fun.

Get together, let the good times roll
We should socialize and enjoy life together.

Don't sit there mumblin', talkin' trash
Don't complain or be negative. It's not productive.

If you wanna have some fun
To have fun, you have to be willing to put in some effort.

You gotta spend some cash
Sometimes, having fun requires spending money.

Hey Mister Landlord, lock up all the doors
Keep the party going, even if it means breaking the rules.

When the police comes around
If the authorities come, try to avoid getting in trouble.

Just tell them that the joint is closed
Pretend that the party is over to avoid any consequences.

Hey everybody, tell everybody
Spread the word and let everyone know what's happening.

That B.B. and Bob is in town
Famous people are in the area, and we should take advantage of it.

I got a dollar and a quarter
I have some money to spend on having fun.

And I'm just rarin' to clown
I'm excited and ready to have a good time.

But don't let nobody play me cheap
Don't let anyone take advantage of me or cheat me.

I got fifty cents more that I'm gonna keep
I have a little extra money that I want to hold onto.

Let them roll, let them roll all night long
Let's keep the good times going for as long as possible.

Oh shit
An expression of excitement or enthusiasm for the party.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Earl King

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@gunners47

7y↑5

One of the greatest blues singers ever!

@richardlee866

5y↑3

Thank you kindly most excellentJohnny Winter covered some of his Tunes got to see him do them Mojo Boogie, talk to your daughter got to go back to the roots. Without a doubt Blues Man on steroids.