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."
Vietnam
J.B. Lenoir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vietnam Vietnam, everybody cryin' about Vietnam
The law all the days killing me down in Mississippi, nobody seems to give a damn
Oh God if you can hear my prayer now, please help my brothers over in Vietnam
Oh God if you can hear my prayer now, please help my brothers over in Vietnam
The poor boys fightin', killin' and hidin' all in holes,
Maybe killin' their own brother, they do not know
Mister President you always cry about peace, but you must clean up your house before you leave
Oh how you cry about peace, but you must clean up your house before you leave
How can you tell the world how we need peace, and you still mistreat and killin' poor me.
J.B. Lenoir's "Vietnam Blues" is a classic blues song that highlights the suffering that the Vietnam War brought to the people of America. The song begins with the repetition of the term "Vietnam," conveying a sense of desperation and despair felt by many during the war. Lenoir describes how the law is "killing [him] down in Mississippi," indicating that even in America, people suffered heavily during this time, despite the conflict being thousands of miles away.
The song then shifts to a prayer for the soldiers fighting in Vietnam. Lenoir pleads with God to help his brothers who are "fightin', killin', and hidin' all in holes," indicating the horrors of war that these young men faced. The lyrics suggest that even brothers may be killing each other, emphasizing the senseless bloodshed that occurred during the Vietnam War.
Finally, Lenoir calls out the President, stating that while he speaks of peace, he must first "clean up [his] house." The song criticizes the government's role in perpetuating violence and mistreatment, both at home and abroad. Overall, "Vietnam Blues" is a poignant reminder of the impact of war on individuals and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Vietnam Vietnam, everybody cryin' about Vietnam
The war in Vietnam has caused widespread sadness and pain.
The law all the days killing me down in Mississippi, nobody seems to give a damn
Despite the widespread attention on the war in Vietnam, the everyday injustices and violence faced by Black Americans in Mississippi are ignored.
Oh God if you can hear my prayer now, please help my brothers over in Vietnam
The singer prays for the safety and well-being of American soldiers fighting in Vietnam.
The poor boys fightin', killin' and hidin' all in holes,
Maybe killin' their own brother, they do not know
The soldiers in Vietnam are forced to engage in violence and may end up killing their fellow soldiers unknowingly.
Mister President you always cry about peace, but you must clean up your house before you leave
How can you tell the world how we need peace, and you still mistreat and killin' poor me.
The President speaks about the need for peace while ignoring the violence and injustice experienced by Black Americans within the country.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J. B. LENOIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind