Brim picked up his early guitar licks from the gramophone records of Tampa Red and Big Bill Broonzy, before venturing first to Indianapolis in 1941 and Chicago four years later. He met his wife Grace in 1947; fortuitously, she was a capable drummer and harmonica player who played on several of Brim's records. She was also the vocalist on a 1950 single for the Detroit based Fortune Records, that signaled the beginning of Brim's discography.
Brim recorded for Random Records, J.O.B. Records, Parrot Records (the socially aware "Tough Times"), and Chess Records ("Rattlesnake," his answer to Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" was pulled from the shelves by Chess for fear of a plagiarism lawsuit). All of his 1950s recordings for the Chess label were later included on the compilation LP/CD "Whose Muddy Shoes" (which also included the few recordings Elmore James made for the label; because they share this LP/CD, it has sometimes been assumed that they performed or recorded together, but this is not the case.) On some tracks Little Walter played the harmonica, whilst Jimmy Reed, Snooky Pryor, or James Dalton were also featured blowing the harp. Cut in 1953, the suggestive "Ice Cream Man" had to wait until 1969 to enjoy a very belated release. Brim's last Chess single, "I Would Hate to See You Go," was waxed in 1956 with a combo consisting of Little Walter, guitarist Robert Lockwood, Jr., bassist Willie Dixon, and drummer Fred Below.
In between touring, Brim operated dry-cleaning businesses and a record store. When the royalties from Van Halen’s recording of "Ice Cream Man" came through, they enabled him to open John Brim’s House of the Blues Broadway Nite Club in Chicago.
Brim continued to perform occasionally around Chicago, and was a regularly featured performer on the Chicago Blues Festival beginning in 1991.
He was tempted back into the recording studio again in 1989 to record four songs for the German Wolf label, and renewed interest in him finally led to his recording his first solo CD, Ice Cream Man, for Tone Cool Records in 1994. It received a W. C. Handy nomination as the best Traditional Blues Album of the Year.
Van Halen covered "Ice Cream Man" on their first album and David Lee Roth did the same on Diamond Dave. "Ice Cream Man" was also covered by Martin Sexton on his 2001 live double album, Live Wide Open.
Brim also appeared at the 1997 San Francisco Blues Festival.
He recorded again in 2000, 50 years after his recording debut, and continued to tour, playing in Belgium in 2001. One of his final appearances was at the 2002 Chicago Blues Festival.
Brim, who lived in Gary, Indiana remained active on the Chicago blues scene until his death, on 1 October 2003 at the age of 81. He is survived by seven daughters and two sons. One son predeceased him.
My Best Friend
John Brim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in love with the one, she's in love with my best friend
Well now we're really through, all gotta start all over again
Won't you tell me baby, where you spent last night
Won't you tell me baby, where you spent last night
Well you didn't come home, until the sun was shinin' bright
I got a fine lookin' woman, she lives clear 'cross town
And when I'm with my baby, don't want no one else around
Well I love my baby, tell the world I do
Well I love my baby, tell the world I do
Give me little love darlin', and make my dreams come true
John Brim's "My Best Friend" is a song that explores the pain and frustration of unrequited love. The singer is in love with someone who is in love with their best friend, creating a complex love triangle that leaves the singer feeling isolated and alone. The lyrics are introspective and melancholic, capturing the sense of being stuck in an emotional purgatory, unable to move on or find happiness.
The opening lines of the song set the scene, with the singer confessing their love for someone who is in love with their best friend. The repetition of this line reinforces the singer's sense of longing and frustration, emphasizing the painful irony of their situation. The second verse finds the singer pleading with their love interest to tell them where they were the night before, suggesting a lack of trust and a deep sense of insecurity in the relationship. The third verse introduces the singer's other love interest, someone who lives across town and offers a potential escape from the pain of their current situation. Finally, the fourth verse reiterates the singer's love for their original love interest, highlighting the intensity of their feelings and the desire for that person's love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in love with the one, she's in love with my best friend
I have romantic feelings for someone who has fallen for my closest companion
Well now we're really through, all gotta start all over again
Our relationship has come to an end, and we must begin anew
Won't you tell me baby, where you spent last night
Can you inform me, my dear, of your whereabouts during the previous evening?
Well you didn't come home, until the sun was shinin' bright
You returned to our shared residence only after the sun had risen
I got a fine lookin' woman, she lives clear 'cross town
I have a beautiful lady in my life, residing on the other side of town
And when I'm with my baby, don't want no one else around
When I'm in the company of my beloved, I have no desire for anyone else's presence
Well I love my baby, tell the world I do
I possess a deep affection for my significant other, let it be known to all
Give me little love darlin', and make my dreams come true
Provide me with a bit of devotion, my love, and make my aspirations a reality
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELMORE JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind