His songs have been performed by a number of other musicians including "After Midnight" and "Cocaine" by Eric Clapton,"Cajun Moon" by Randy Crawford, "Clyde" and "Louisiana Women" by Waylon Jennings, "Magnolia" by Jai, "Bringing It Back" by Kansas, "Call Me the Breeze" and "I Got the Same Old Blues" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, "I'd Like to Love You, Baby" by Tom Petty, "Travelin' Light" and "Ride Me High" by Widespread Panic, "Tijuana" by Harry Manx, "Sensitive Kind" by Carlos Santana, "Cajun Moon" by Herbie Mann with Cissy Houston, and "Same Old Blues" by Captain Beefheart.
Cale was born on December 5, 1938, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was raised in Tulsa and graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1956. Along with a number of other young Tulsa musicians, Cale moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s, where he first worked as a studio engineer.
The Leathercoated Minds was a 1966-67 psychedelic studio-based band masterminded largely by Snuff Garrett and J J Cale. The band produced one album, A Trip down the Sunset Strip, co-produced by Cale and Garrett
Finding little success as a recording artist, he later returned to Tulsa and was considering giving up the music business until Clapton recorded "After Midnight" in 1970. His first album, Naturally, established his style, described by Los Angeles Times writer Richard Cromelin as a "unique hybrid of blues, folk and jazz, marked by relaxed grooves and Cale's fluid guitar and laconic vocals. His early use of drum machines and his unconventional mixes lend a distinctive and timeless quality to his work and set him apart from the pack of Americana roots-music purists."
Some sources incorrectly give his real name as "Jean-Jacques Cale". In the 2006 documentary, To Tulsa and Back: On Tour with J.J. Cale, Cale talks about Elmer Valentine, co-owner of the Sunset Strip nightclub Whisky à GoGo, who employed him in the mid-1960s, being the one that came up with the "JJ" moniker to avoid confusion with the Velvet Underground's John Cale. Rocky Frisco tells the same version of the story mentioning the other John Cale but without further detail.
His biggest U.S. hit single, Crazy Mama, peaked at #22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972. During the 2006 documentary film To Tulsa and Back Cale recounts the story of being offered the opportunity to appear on Dick Clark's American Bandstand to promote the song, which would have moved the song higher on the charts. Cale declined when told he could not bring his band to the taping and would be required to lip-sync the words to the song.
Cale died on Friday, July 26, 2013, at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California, after suffering a heart attack.
Rock And Roll Records
J.J. Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sell 'em for a dime
I make my living and feed my children
All in good time
The blues they go for a quarter
Guaranteed to satisfy
It's a real funky deal
Don't let it pass you by
Tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna hammer out this rhythm
Till I get right next to you
The lyrics to J.J. Cale's "Rock and Roll Records" delve into the life of a musician who makes a living creating music. The singer works tirelessly to create rock records, which they sell for a mere dime. Despite the low profit margins associated with selling records—and even blues records, which go for a quarter—the musician is grateful to make a living and feed their family.
The singer believes in their craft, emphasised in the line "it's a real funky deal, don't let it pass you by." This sentiment underscores the message of perseverance—the musician recognises that they must keep creating and promoting their music in spite of monetary setbacks.
The last verse of the song suggests that the singer's music is more than just a career, but a way to connect with others. The musician vows to "hammer out this rhythm until [they] get right next to you," indicating that the music they make allows them to connect with listeners on a deeper level. In their work, the singer finds purpose and connection, making the life they've built by making "rock and roll records" all the more meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
I make rock 'n' roll records
I am a musician who produces and markets rock and roll music
I sell 'em for a dime
I sell my records at a low price
I make my living and feed my children
My music career helps me financially support myself and my family
All in good time
I am patient and trust that my efforts will pay off eventually
The blues they go for a quarter
Other genre of music may go for a higher price, but blues music is cheaper
Guaranteed to satisfy
Despite the low price, my blues music is guaranteed to please and satisfy listeners
It's a real funky deal
My record is a good bargain and has an enjoyable, upbeat feel
Don't let it pass you by
Don't miss out on the opportunity to enjoy my music and take advantage of the low price
If your evening sun don't shine, my friend
If you're feeling down or having a rough time
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Here's what I'm going to do to help you feel better
I'm gonna hammer out this rhythm
I'm going to play music using a steady, intense beat
Till I get right next to you
My music will help me connect with and uplift you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J.J. CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Right Weaponry
The way you can hear him breathe right before he sings is one of the many things that makes JJ so special🌹
Martin Spencer
One of the greatest songs ever created. Just superb.
Stefan Schleps
If your evening sun don't shine my friend, tell you what I'm going do. Fix up a "sherm" and bust a line!
An we just let them stars align.
Stefan Schleps
Bought this album when it first came out. And love it more today than ever before. The only thing wrong is that J.J. Cale didn't make this a seven or eight minute song. Like all the music on this L.P. every song is way too short.
From Vienna, peace.
Howard Coles
Sfefan Schleps. I agree with you completely. The only thing wrong with J.J. Cale's music is that the songs are too short. I have enjoyed his music for years, and this song is one of his best. A really gifted and original musician and songwriter. If you haven't already discovered it, check out his first album " Naturally ". It is brilliant !
Ham Zouh
Jj is liké that naturally
Stefan Schleps
@Ham Zouh I make my living, feed my children.
Its a real funky deal, don't let it pass you by!
A N
I love that his songs are short and sweet. They're the perfect length, and always leave you wanting more, never outstaying their welcome.
tom wray
JJ integrated a subtle horn section to this mellow rocker. Result: a simple masterpiece.
kev smith
tom wray I loved this song front the first time I heard it. "...I make rock 'n' roll records, I sell 'em for a dime....". JJ just had that magical touch.