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.
Sweet Sixteen
Joe Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were just sweet sixteen
You just led me on, baby, sweetest thing I'd ever seen
But you would not do nothing for me baby, you would not do
Anything I asked you to
Now, you ran away from your home baby, now you want to run away from me too
Well my mother's up in heaven, lord, what's gonna happen to me?
Yes I love you, I've always loved you
Ever since I called your name
But seems like everything I do, oh, has been in vain
Sweet sixteen, sweet sixteen
Sweet sixteen, sweet sixteen
Well, the sweetest thing that I ever seen, sweet sixteen
The lyrics to Joe Turner's song Sweet Sixteen tell a story of the ups and downs of love, and the painful realization that sometimes love just isn't enough. The song starts off with the singer recalling meeting his sweetheart when she was just sixteen years old. He describes her as the "sweetest thing" he had ever seen and how he fell for her immediately. However, it becomes clear that she was not interested in doing anything for him, despite his request. Later, she runs away from him just as she had run away from her home.
The lyrics take a bittersweet turn in the second verse. The singer talks about the people he has lost in his life: his brother, who is serving in Korea, his sister in New Orleans, and his mother who has passed away. He wonders what will happen to him now that he has lost so much. The final verse brings the song full circle. The singer professes his love for his sweetheart once again, but admits that his efforts seem to be in vain. The repetition of the phrase "sweet sixteen" reinforces the theme of losing something that was once innocent and perfect.
Overall, the lyrics of Sweet Sixteen are poignant and heartfelt. The song captures the beauty and pain of love, and how it can both build us up and tear us down.
Line by Line Meaning
When I first met you baby, baby
At our first encounter, my eyes were captivated by your beauty, my dear.
You were just sweet sixteen
You were the epitome of youthful freshness, as tender as the number sixteen.
You just led me on, baby, sweetest thing I'd ever seen
You enticed me with your beauty, dear, sweeter than the sweetest honey I'd ever tasted.
But you would not do nothing for me baby, you would not do
Anything I asked you to
You were so irresistible to me, but when I asked for your assistance or cooperation, you refused to help me.
Now, you ran away from your home baby, now you want to run away from me too
You have run away from your previous dwelling, and now, it seems, you want to run away from our relationship as well.
Well, my brother, he's in Korea, and my sister, down in New Orleans
Well my mother's up in heaven, lord, what's gonna happen to me?
My family members are scattered across various places, and my mother has passed away. What will become of me, I wonder?
Yes I love you, I've always loved you
It's true, my dear, my heart has belonged to you from the start.
Ever since I called your name
From the moment I addressed you by your name, I knew I was smitten by you.
But seems like everything I do, oh, has been in vain
Despite my best efforts to show my love for you, it seems everything I do is futile and void.
Sweet sixteen, sweet sixteen
Sweet sixteen, sweet sixteen
Well, the sweetest thing that I ever seen, sweet sixteen
Sweet sixteen, that's what you were to me. The sweetest, loveliest, and most luscious thing I'd ever had the pleasure of seeing.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AHMET ERTEJUN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@schechter01
It's nice to hear something from the days when people knew how to write lyrics & really sing.
@catboyzee
Until now I thought this song was originally recorded by BB King. You learn something new every day. One thing that is very apparent is hear how Joe Turner influenced BB's vocal style. Very cool, thanks for posting.
@RaxOldies
Completely different song tho~~~
@bennyjazzful
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.
@agahusseinrasulov2659
Author of this song is Ahmet Ertegun, the president of Atlantic records.
@ThePonceman
Yeah right. Don't think so
@ThePonceman
He took credit pleaseSMH