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)
Walking by Myself
Jimmy Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know it's true.
Give you all my love, babe.
What more can I do?
Walking by myself,
I hope you'll understand.I just want to be your lovin' man.
I love ya, yes I love you
with my heart and soul.
I wouldn't mistreat you
for my weight in gold.
You know I love you.
You know it's true.
Give you all my love, babe.
What more can I do?
Walking by myself,
I hope you'll understand.
I just want to be your lovin' man.
Here we go!
Keep on walkin'!
You know I love you.
You know it's true.I give you all my --, babe.
What more can I do?
I'm walking by myself,
I hope you'll understand.
I just want to be your lovin' man.
I said I'm walking by myself,
I hope you'll understand.
I just want to be your lovin',
I just want to be your lovin',
I just want to be your lovin' man.
That's right.
The lyrics of Jimmy Rogers's song, "Walking By Myself," showcase the feelings of a man who is deeply in love with his partner. The first few lines emphasize on the man's love for his partner and how he is willing to give her all his love. He wants his partner to understand that he is walking alone to clear his mind and sort his emotions. The chorus repeats the same sentiment of wanting to be his partner's loving man, and he hopes that she understands his need for some time alone.
The second verse again reiterates the man's deep love for his partner and how it comes from his heart and soul. The man assures that he would never mistreat his partner, no matter what. The song's final lines emphasize the man's desire to be with his partner while walking alone, and he hopes that his partner understands his need for some solitude. Overall, the lyrics portray a man so deeply in love that he needs some distance to sort and prioritize his feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I love you.
I have strong feelings for you that are undeniable.
You know it's true.
This is a fact that I am certain of.
Give you all my love, babe.
I am willing to give you everything I have emotionally.
What more can I do?
I am at a loss for what else I can say or do to express my love.
Walking by myself,
I am alone and taking time to reflect.
I hope you'll understand.
I hope you will see my need for solitude and not take it personally.
I just want to be your lovin' man.
I want to be the person who offers you love and support.
I love ya, yes I love you
I feel a deep romantic affection for you.
with my heart and soul.
It is with all of my being that I love you.
I wouldn't mistreat you
I would never behave in a way that would harm you emotionally or physically.
for my weight in gold.
No amount of money or material possessions could make me mistreat you.
Here we go!
This is where the action begins.
Keep on walkin'!
Continue on this path of self-reflection.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Lane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SandraLykhatska
LYRICS:
You know I love you
You know it's true
Give you all my love, babe
What more can I do?
Walking by myself
I hope you'll understand
I just want to be your lovin' man
I love ya, yes I love you
With my heart and soul
I wouldn't mistreat you
For my weight in gold
You know I love you
You know it's true
Give you all my love, babe
What more can I do?
Walking by myself
I hope you'll understand
I just want to be your lovin' man
Here we go!
Keep on walkin'!
You know I love you
You know it's true
I give you all my , babe
What more can I do?
I'm walking by myself
I hope you'll understand
I just want to be your lovin' man
I said I'm walking by myself
I hope you'll understand
I just want to be your lovin'
I just want to be your lovin'
I just want to be your lovin' man
That's right.
@Kinsale1333
Walter Horton, the greatest harp man of them all. RIP, master.
@BiberandDolik
This isnt music....this is pure magic
@robbk1
My favourite harp solo, and I've been listening to Blues since 1951.
@peterdavidson2335
must say I do agree
@tcm6756
Ditto. Listen a hundred times and hear something different overtime. Born in '56.
@tcm6756
everytime, durn spellcheck
@sellmeyoursoul6601
brutal solo
@purplestuff
Best harp solo ever recorded. The best instrumental harp song is Juke although I prefer Rollercoaster personally. 👍
@juanmartinrojo2676
More than the solo, the accompaniment of Walter Horton in this piece is freaking sublime. The way he ends the riffs on the minor 7th, so simple yet completely spot on.
This is the song I would show any harp lovers who wonder why, as often said, Big Walter had the best note selection of his times.
@ralfbuschner6925
THE definition of "chicago blues harp solo".