Joe Williams (December 12, 1918 – March 29, 1999) was a well-known jazz sin… Read Full Bio ↴Joe Williams (December 12, 1918 – March 29, 1999) was a well-known jazz singer.

He was born Joseph Goreed in Cordele, Georgia and moved to Chicago as a child. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. He grew on the south side of Chicago, surrounded by jazz, blues, and gospel music. In the 1930s, as a teenager, he was a member of "The Jubilee Boys" and performed in Chicago churches.

He worked as a singer and bouncer in Chicago in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1943, he was hired by the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He toured with Hampton for several years but never achieved breakthrough success.

He rose to national prominence as the singer for Count Basie's Orchestra in 1954. He remained with Basie for several years. "Everyday I have the Blues" is his biggest hit.

After leaving the Basie band, Williams continued to have a successful career working with his own jazz combo. He and Basie remained on good terms and he would regularly appear with the band.

Bill Cosby cast Williams as his father-in-law "Grandpa Al" Hanks in a recurring role on the 1980s sit-com The Cosby Show.

Williams enjoyed a successful career and worked regularly until his death. He died at age 80, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Joe Williams shares a birthday with Frank Sinatra who was also born Dec. 12, three years before Williams

Ain't No Use
Joe Williams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ain't no use, baby
I'm leaving the scene
Ain't no use, baby
You're too doggone mean

Yes, I'm tired of paying dues
Having the blues
Hitting bad news

Ain't no use, baby

Ain't no use, baby
I'm leaving town
Ain't no use, daddy
I'm putting you down

I'm gonna change my name
Things won't be the same
'Cause I'm tired of playing your game
Ain't no use, baby; I tell you, ain't no use

I tried all these years; Lord knows I've tried
Yes, and I cried deep down inside
But, daddy, why complain?
It's all over and you're to blame, yeah, yeah

Ain't no use, baby
Shed them tears
Ain't no use, baby
I cried for years, for too many years

You done had your fun

Ain't no use
Ain't no use

Ain't no use, daddy
Ain't no use

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joe Williams / Count Basie's song "Ain't no Use" speak to the end of a tumultuous relationship. The singer declares that he's leaving the scene and there's no use in staying in the relationship anymore because his partner is too "doggone" mean. He's tired of the constant struggle, having the blues, and hitting bad news. He's had enough and he's moving on. He's changing his name, and things won't be the same. He's tired of playing his partner's game and it's time to move on.

The singer reflects on his past, revealing that he's tried all these years, but it's all over now, and his partner is to blame. He advises his partner that there's no use in shedding tears because he's cried too many years for her. She's had her fun and now it's time for him to move on. The lyrics are powerful and reflect the emotions of a person who has finally reached their breaking point in a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Ain't no use, baby
It's useless to continue, my dear

I'm leaving the scene
I'm going away

Ain't no use, baby
Don't even bother, darling

You're too doggone mean
You are excessively cruel

Yes, I'm tired of paying dues
I'm fatigued from putting in effort

Having the blues
Feeling down and sad

Hitting bad news
Encountering negative developments

Ain't no use, baby
It's pointless to try, dear

Ain't no use, baby
There's no point, dear

I'm leaving town
I'm departing from this location

Ain't no use, daddy
It's worthless, father