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."
Nobody but You
J.B. Lenoir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If only you were here to lay with me, lay with me
Long days, and longer nights don't feel right
If you're not here by my side, by my side
I'm thinking of running away
Into your arms to a place
Where I know that I'm gonna stay, gonna stay
But I'm only hearing the words
That you left me with on that day, on that day
'Cause I don't really care for
No, I don't really care for, nobody but you
Nobody but you, baby, no
The only one I'm there for
No, I don't really care for
Nobody but you
Nobody but you, baby
Nobody but you, you, you, you, you, you
Nobody but you, you, you, you, you, you
Lately, I'm faded, it's hazy
Won't you come and clear my mind, clear my mind
I won't be, safe tonight
When you're the only comfort in my life, oh in my life
I'm thinking of running away
Into your arms to a place
Where I know that I'm gonna stay, gonna stay
'Cause I don't really care for
No, I don't really care for, nobody but you
Nobody, nobody but you baby, no
You're the only one I'm there for
The only one I care for
Nobody but you
Nobody but you, baby
Nobody but you, you, you, you, you, you
Nobody but you, you, you, you, you, you
Nobody, nobody baby
Nobody, nobody baby
Nobody, nobody baby, baby, baby
'Cause I don't really care for
No, I don't really care for
Nobody but you
Nobody but you baby, no
You're the only one I'm there for
The only one I care for
Nobody but you
Nobody but you baby
Nobody but you
The lyrics to J.B. Lenoir's song "Nobody But You" express a deep sense of longing and loneliness. The singer begins by confessing their inability to sleep due to their loneliness, and they yearn for the presence and comfort of a specific person. Throughout the song, the repeated phrase "If only you were here to lay with me" emphasizes their desire for physical and emotional closeness.
The singer daydreams about running away with this person to create a safe haven where they can find solace and permanence. They find themselves surrounded by people with plenty to say, but they are solely focused on the words left behind by their loved one. This suggests that their connection with this person is profound and surpasses any other distractions or external opinions.
The repeated refrain, "‘Cause I don't really care for, nobody but you," highlights the singer's unwavering commitment and devotion to this one person. It emphasizes that they have no interest in anyone else; their heart belongs exclusively to this individual. This repetition emphasizes the depth of their affection and loyalty.
The bridge of the song further illustrates the emotional state of the singer. They describe feeling faded and hazy, seeking clarity from the person they long for. They acknowledge that they won't feel safe tonight without this person, underscoring their reliance on them for emotional security and stability.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nobody But You" depict a profound yearning for a specific person, emphasizing the singer's unique connection and devotion to them. It portrays a desperate desire for closeness, safety, and emotional clarity that can only be found in the presence of this individual. The repetition of the refrain underscores the strength of their feelings and their unwavering commitment to this person.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't sleep, I'm lonely
My sleep is disrupted and I feel a deep sense of loneliness
If only you were here to lay with me, lay with me
I yearn for your presence and intimacy, wishing you were here with me
Long days, and longer nights don't feel right
The passing of time feels unbearable, especially during the nights
If you're not here by my side, by my side
Without your companionship, I feel incomplete and lost
I'm thinking of running away
I contemplate escaping from my current situation
Into your arms to a place
Seeking refuge in your embrace and finding solace
Where I know that I'm gonna stay, gonna stay
A place where I can find stability and permanence
People with so much to say
I am surrounded by individuals who have plenty of opinions and words
But I'm only hearing the words
Amidst the noise, I only pay attention to the words you left me
That you left me with on that day, on that day
The specific words and memories you left me with still resonate
'Cause I don't really care for
I have no interest in
No, I don't really care for, nobody but you
I genuinely only care about you and no one else
Nobody but you, baby, no
No one else holds the same importance as you in my heart
The only one I'm there for
I am solely present and committed to you
No, I don't really care for
I have no interest in
Nobody but you
You are the only person who matters to me
You're the only one I'm there for
I am exclusively there for you
The only one I care for
You are the sole person I deeply care about
Nobody but you
No one else but you holds my affection and attention
Lately, I'm faded, it's hazy
Recently, I have lost my clarity and feel disoriented
Won't you come and clear my mind, clear my mind
I long for you to come and alleviate the confusion in my thoughts
I won't be, safe tonight
Without you, I don't feel secure and protected tonight
When you're the only comfort in my life, oh in my life
You are the sole source of comfort and solace in my existence
Nobody, nobody baby
No one else, absolutely no one, my dear
Nobody, nobody baby
No one else, absolutely no one, my dear
Nobody, nobody baby, baby, baby
No one else, absolutely no one, my dear, my beloved
Nobody but you
No one else but you holds my affection and attention
Nobody but you baby, no
No one else but you holds the same importance as you in my heart
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: James John Napier, Matthew Coleman, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Frederick Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidteissier5704
Just one of the best Blues album of all time ❤️❤️❤️❤️👌👌👌👌
@karthdinkler9924
JBL is too beautiful for words. And the photographs here -- the one of the tear running down the child's cheek. The pain in this world is NOT acceptable. No way, no way.
@manlypedro75
I was saved by this song.
@coravisser727
Respect for this blues music it is real legend and it is beautifull.
@williamv2048
yeah baby... got the blues!!!!
@carvalhorogeriode
Muito bom gostei mostra uma realidade da época.
@PrincessRadojka
Excellent. Bravo pour cette video et un grand merci pour le partage :-)
@BackToTheBlues
Lovely - JB's sparse guitarwork on this one reminds me of the tracks blues pianist Curtis Jones recorded on guitar for his Blue Horizon LP 'Now Resident In Europe'.
@boballen9835
1.16.18. sometimes I get caught up in JB's music for days.
@tantocomoaqueldia
thanks for this beatiful song.its very nice