He was born in Indianola, Mississippi. After running away from home at the age of 7, Bill Gillum spent the next few years in Charleston, Mississippi, working and playing for tips on local street corners. He moved to Chicago in 1923, meeting up with guitarist Big Bill Broonzy. The duo started working club dates around the city and, by 1934, Gillum started recording for ARC and Bluebird Records.
With his characteristic high, reedy harmonica sound, he appeared on many of the highly popular "Bluebird beat" recordings produced by Lester Melrose in the 1930s and 1940s, under his own name and as a sideman. However, after the Bluebird label folded in the late 1940s he made few further recordings, dying in Chicago as a result of a gunshot wound.
Early in the Morning
Jazz Gillum Lyrics
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'Jazz' Bill Gillum (William Mckinley Gillum)
(Bill Gillum)
Jazz Gillum - vocal & hmc, Big Bill Broonzy - guitar
& prob. Black Bob - piano.
Recorded: Chicago, Thurs., June 14, 1934
Album: Bill 'Jazz' Gillum The Bluebird Recordings 1934-1938
Bluebird 66717-2 rca, bmg 1997.
It's was early this mornin'
I heard somebody callin' me
It was early this mornin'
Heard somebody callin' me
It didn't call like my reg'lar
Must of been my old used to be
If baby, baby, baby
You don't treat me good no mo'
And if baby, baby
You don't treat me good no mo'
I believe to my soul, baby
You goin' with the boy next do'are.
~
The opening lyrics of Jazz Gillum's "Early In The Morning" reflect a sense of disorientation and confusion. The singer hears someone calling him in the early hours of the day, but the voice is not recognizable. He knows it is not his lover's voice; instead, it sounds like someone from his past, perhaps an ex-lover who he refers to as his "old used to be." This creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, leaving the listeners to wonder who is calling out to the singer and what their intentions are.
The song's lyrics then take a turn towards heartbreak and betrayal. The singer declares that his lover is no longer treating him well, and he suspects that she is seeing someone else. He pleads with her to change her ways, but he ultimately resigns himself to the fact that she has moved on. The lyrics show a sense of vulnerability and raw emotion, making the song relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak or feelings of being betrayed by someone they loved.
Overall, Jazz Gillum's "Early In The Morning" is a poignant reflection on lost love, betrayal, and heartbreak. It captures the feelings of confusion and sadness that often accompany the end of a relationship, leaving the listeners with a sense of both pain and hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
It's was early this mornin'
During the early hours of this morning
I heard somebody callin' me
I heard someone trying to get my attention
It was early this mornin'
During the early hours of this morning
Heard somebody callin' me
I heard someone trying to get my attention
It didn't call like my reg'lar
It didn't sound like my typical caller
Must of been my old used to be
It was likely someone I knew before
If baby, baby, baby
If my love, oh my love
You don't treat me good no mo'
You no longer treat me well
And if baby, baby
And if my love, oh my love
You don't treat me good no mo'
You no longer treat me well
I believe to my soul, baby
I am certain in my heart, love
You goin' with the boy next do'
You are likely seeing someone else nearby
Contributed by John H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.