Born in Baltimore, Turner was first taught piano by his mother when he was five. He moved to New York around 1925 and enjoyed much popularity among musicians in Harlem, working with June Clark (1927-1928), Benny Carter (1929), and Louis Armstrong (1930). He accompanied the singer Adelaide Hall in a piano duo with Alex Hill and then with Francis Carter; he and Carter toured Europe with Hall in 1931. Turner performed as a soloist throughout Europe until 1939, and then in the USA. After working as a member of an army band led by Sy Oliver (1944-1945) and with Rex Stewart (1946) he returned to Europe and played in Hungary (1948) and Switzerland (1949-1962). He then settled in Paris, where from 1962 he held a residency at La Calvados; he also performed in Great Britain, Switzerland, and the USA. Turner was influenced mainly by James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, and Erroll Garner.
Roll 'Em Pete
Joe Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord, but I love her still
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
Ev'ry time she loves me, she sends my mellow soul
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
You've mistreated me, now you can mistreat somebody else
Joe Turner's song, Roll 'Em Pete, is a blues classic that talks about a man's love for his woman, who lives up on the hill. The song has a deep emotional resonance, and the lyrics tell a tale of love and longing. The man is deeply in love with his woman, and despite her attempts to leave him, he still loves her. The woman's eyes are compared to diamonds that shine like gold, and every time she loves the man, it sends his mellow soul. The lyrics talk about the fact that she is so beautiful that she is destined to die someday, but before that happens, all he wants is a little loving.
The song's tempo is upbeat and driving, with a lively piano riff that runs throughout the song. Joe Turner's rich and earthy voice also adds to the emotion of the song, and his delivery is heartfelt and passionate. The lyrics to Roll 'Em Pete are a tribute to the power of love and the strength of the human spirit, and they resonate with audiences to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
I have a woman in my life who resides on top of a hill
Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord, but I love her still
My beloved is attempting to leave me, but I still cherish her immensely
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
Her eyes are as precious and bright as gold found in Klondike
Ev'ry time she loves me, she sends my mellow soul
Each time she displays affection towards me, she encourages tranquility in my soul
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
Your beauty is indescribable and temporary, and eventually, it will fade away
All I want's a little loving, just before you pass away
Right before you pass away, I desire a bit of affection from you
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
My dear, I must depart, leaving you to your own devices
You've mistreated me, now you can mistreat somebody else
You have maltreated me, and now, it's your turn to mistreat someone else
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joe Turner, Pete K. H. Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulrocha2014
Wow! Cool video!!
Thanks for putting this together. I love the way you broke it down chronologically so well.
A few years ago, I went through a phase of: “What is the first rock ’n’ roll song?”
The earliest thing I found was the Joe Turner/Pete Johnson song from 1938 called "Roll ‘em, Pete".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cNW2dZMyWE
Outside of absence of electric guitar, it is rock ’n’roll.
I know that this endless search is, in some ways, a fool’s errand, but this is what we do, right?
P.S.
You guys are silly. (you don’t have to be)
Thanks again!!
@MonotoneCreeper
If this ain’t rock n’ roll then nothing is
@Sledgehammers_Nail
It's a boogie woogie. You have it backwards.
@andrewlovell6106
Amazing! This is a stunning series and book! Now I know- and remember- how Blues, Boogie Woogie and Rock n' Roll shaped my whole musical mindset forever! Roll Over Beethoven! I'm goin' back to Memphis and my cabin in the woods to listen again!!!!!
@TheMatveev
I'ts all rock-n-roll.!!
@theesbband
This has been one of my favourite piano boogie woogies of all time for over 50 years. Pete Johnson’s timing and syncopation are stunning.
@rickesner6930
syncopation
@dabeckoh
I 1st head this in 1992 in Spike Lee malcolm x.
@stewartfenton7660
This record is the one I think of whenever I hear the words "Boogie Woogie".
@sunnyland3952
Pete Johnson piano, Big Joe Turner singing. Recorded live in, if memory serves, the Carnegie Hall, this was the first ever black blues or boogie woogie performance in a 'white' concert venue (it was in 1938). A truly historical recording in every sense. A stunning piano technique at breakneck speed which I physically cannot even approach doing just a left hand pattern alone.
@theesbband
Nor can I: this is exceptional. How sad that Pete had such a short career.