Jimmy Rogers was born James A. Lane in Ruleville, Mississippi, and was raised in Memphis. Rogers learned the harmonica alongside his childhood friend Snooky Pryor, and as a teenager took up the guitar and played professionally in East St. Louis, Illinois (where he played with Junior Lockwood), before moving to Chicago in the mid-1940s after serving in the military. By 1946 he'd made his first record as a harmonica player and singer for the local Harlem label, although his name was not included on the label — the record was issued under the names "Memphis Slim and his Houserockers".
Rogers joined Waters the next year, with whom he helped shape the sound of the nascent Chicago Blues style. Although he had several successful releases of his own on Chess Records beginning in 1950 with "That's Alright", he stayed in Waters' band until leaving the band for a solo career in 1954. In the mid 1950s he enjoyed several successful record releases, most notably "Walking By Myself", but as the '50s drew to a close and interest in the blues waned, he gradually withdrew from the music business.
By the 1960s he was working mainly outside of music, until 1971 when fashions made him a reasonable draw in Europe, and he was able to record again, including a 1977 session with Waters. By 1982, Rogers was again a solo artist.
He continued touring and recording albums until his death in 1997, in Chicago.
Jimmy Rogers (1984) - (Compilation album of some pre-1960 songs)
Ludella (1990)
Jimmy Rogers with Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters (1991) - Live
Feelin' Good with special guest Rod Piazza (1994) Blind Pig
Sloppy Drunk (1998) - (Compact disc re-issue of original album released in December 1973)
Blue Bird (1994) - Analogue Productions Originals
Blues Blues Blues (1999)
The Complete Chess Recordings(1997)
Blues Leave Me Alone
Jimmy Rogers Lyrics
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had the blues so bad
blues followed me all day long
blues wont' let me take a rest
my mind is ramblin like the wild west
??
baby you is my midnight dream
more than anyone i've ever seen
the blues follows me all day long
blues blues blues
i want you to please leave me alone
In "Blues Leave Me Alone," Jimmy Rogers sings about the persistent presence of the blues in his life. He feels like they are trying to drive him away from home and won't let him rest, with his mind racing like the Wild West. Despite this, Rogers finds solace in his love for his woman, comparing her to a midnight dream. Ultimately, he pleads with the blues to leave him alone, declaring that he wants nothing more than to be rid of their constant presence.
The lyrics of "Blues Leave Me Alone" are a poignant reflection on the impact that the blues can have on a person's life. Rogers captures the sense of despair and frustration that can come with feeling like there is no escape from the sadness and sorrow that the blues represent. However, his evocation of his deep love for his woman provides a glimmer of hope and a reminder that there is still something worth holding onto even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
blues trying to drive me away from home
I feel like the negative emotions associated with the blues are trying to push me away from the comfort of my own home.
had the blues so bad
These negative feelings associated with the blues are overwhelming me to the point that I can't concentrate on anything else.
blues followed me all day long
I can't seem to shake off these blues, they're with me all day long no matter what I do.
blues won't let me take a rest
Even when I try to relax, these negative emotions associated with the blues won't let me rest.
my mind is ramblin' like the wild west
My thoughts are all over the place, much like the Wild West was in its early days - it's hard for me to keep them in check and stay focused on anything for too long.
baby you is my midnight dream
My love for you is something I think about all the time, even late at night when I'm dreaming.
i love my woman more than anyone i've ever seen
My love for you is strong and real - I've never loved anyone else the way that I love you.
the blues follows me all day long blues blues blues
The sadness and negative feelings associated with the blues seem to be a constant presence in my life. I can't seem to escape them, no matter what I do.
i want you to please leave me alone
I wish these negative emotions associated with the blues would leave me alone, so I can focus on my love for you and the good things in my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: James A. Lane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind