Walker was born on 25th December 1949 in San Francisco, California; his parents were blues fans, and introduced him to the music when he was young. He learnt to play the guitar at the age of fourteen, and left home at sixteen to work as a performer. He soon met Mike Bloomfield, who introduced him to the Bay Area Blues scene. During the 1960s, Walker opened for such artists as Earl Hooker, Freddie King, and Lowell Fulson.
In 1975 he left the blues scene for ten years to sing with a gospel quartet called The Spiritual Corinthians. In 1980, he recorded an album with this group called God Will Provide. Walker left the Spiritual Corinthians in 1985, but has maintained a gospel influence in his music.
He returned to San Francisco in 1985, and formed a group called the Bosstalkers. He released four albums on the Hightone Records label before moving to Verve/Gitanes (a division of Polydor/Polygram). Walker released six albums with this label, and won a series of awards in the 1990s.
Walker has released several albums since leaving Verve, including four separate works between 2002 and 2003.
* Official site
Don't Cry
Joe Louis Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All those material things don't mean that much to me
I never wanted to fly up into space
I've got my handful down here waiting on judgment day
It's gonna be alright when I die, so pray for me
That I'll make it to the other side
It's gonna be okay, don't cry
You might be rich, you might be poor
All the money in the world, it won't get you in the door
And I hope you're not too late 'cause it ain't no reservations
I can't know what's in your place
It's gonna be alright when I die, so pray for me
That I'll make it to the other side
It's gonna be okay, don't cry
I might be somewhere way up high
I was a sinner and a fool
Again caught up in this rat race
Like most people do but I must be getting old
'Cause instead of saving my money
I've been trying to save my soul
It's gonna be alright when I die, so pray for me
That I'll make it to the other side
It's gonna be okay, don't cry
I might be somewhere way up high
You better believe me
You better believe, oh yeah
It's gonna be alright when I die, pray for me
That I'll make it to the other side
It's gonna be okay, don't cry
I might be, oh yeah, somewhere way up high
You better believe me, oh yeah
Oh yeah, somewhere way up high
It's gonna be alright, oh yeah
You better believe me, believe me
Somewhere way up high
It's gonna be alright when I die, pray for me
I'll make it to the other side
You better believe me, oh lord
I might be somewhere way up high
I'm going up high
I got to leave here one day
Go somewhere way up high
Ooh, oh lord, you better believe me
Somewhere way up high
The lyrics in Joe Louis Walker's song "Don't Cry" express his attitude towards material things and society. He declares, "I never cared that much about a high society, all those material things don't mean that much to me." The idea of success and wealth doesn't appeal to him, and he doesn't find a need to accumulate in this way. He also mentions that he isn't interested in space travel and that he's content with the world he currently inhabits. Instead, he waits for judgment day and hopes to make it to the other side. The phrase, "It's gonna be alright when I die so pray for me" emphasizes this idea of the afterlife, and how his primary concern is what happens to him after he passes away.
The song then transitions into a message about how money won't necessarily bring someone success. He mentions how "All the money in the world won't get you in the door" indicating that money doesn't necessarily open up opportunities. The line "I can't know what's in your place" implies how society has different roles and expectations placed on individuals that he doesn't necessarily adhere to. This sentiment is also echoed in his later admission that he was "caught up in this rat race" but is now trying to save his soul instead of his money.
Line by Line Meaning
I never cared that much about a high society
I don't value the status or reputation of being among the wealthy or influential.
All those material things don't mean that much to me
I don't put a lot of importance on possessions that are bought with money.
I never wanted to fly up into space
I'm content with staying down to earth and living a simple life.
I've got my handful down here waiting on judgment day
I have enough to occupy myself with here on earth, and I'm focused on living in preparation for the afterlife.
It's gonna be alright when I die, so pray for me
When I pass away, everything will be okay, so I ask for your prayers.
That I'll make it to the other side
That my soul will reach heaven or the afterlife without any tribulation.
It's gonna be okay, don't cry
Even though I'll die someday, there's no need to feel upset or saddened by it.
I might be somewhere way up high
In the afterlife, I might be in heaven or a place higher than this earth.
You might be rich, you might be poor
Regardless of how much money you have, it doesn't determine your worth or access to eternal life.
All the money in the world, it won't get you in the door
Even if you have a lot of money, it doesn't guarantee you entrance into heaven or the afterlife.
And I hope you're not too late 'cause it ain't no reservations
I hope you are working towards salvation because there will not be any last-minute chances or bookings available.
I can't know what's in your place
I can't determine whether or not you'll have a place in the afterlife.
I was a sinner and a fool
I used to live a sinful and foolish life.
Again caught up in this rat race
Once again, I felt trapped in the endless pursuit of success and achievements.
Like most people do but I must be getting old
Like many others, I have come to realize that there's more to life than material success, but perhaps I'm getting wiser with age.
'Cause instead of saving my money
Instead of hoarding my wealth and possessions,
I've been trying to save my soul
I've been focusing on spiritual enrichment and salvation.
You better believe me
My message is sincere, and I hope you take it seriously.
Oh yeah, somewhere way up high
I am confident that I'll be in a good place after I die.
I got to leave here one day
I know that one day I'll pass away from this earth.
Ooh, oh lord, you better believe me
I plead with you to take my message seriously and make the necessary preparations for the afterlife.
Somewhere way up high
I'm confident that I'll be in a good place after I die.
Contributed by Sydney T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.