Although critically acclaimed, John Hammond has had only moderate commercial success. Nonetheless, he enjoys a strong fan base and has earned respect from the likes of John Lee Hooker, Roosevelt Sykes, Duane Allman, Robbie Robertson, and Charlie Musselwhite, all of whom have contributed their musical talents to Hammond's records. In addition, he is the only person who ever had Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in his band at the same time, even if it was only for five days in the 1960s when Hammond played the Gaslight Café in New York. To his regret, they never recorded together.
John Hammond has had a longstanding friendship with songwriter Tom Waits, and has performed Waits' songs on occasion. In 2001, he released Wicked Grin, an album entirely of Tom Waits compositions. Waits himself provided guitar work and backing vocals as well as producing the project.
2. John Hammond was a old time banjo player from the 1920's. He recorded the bluegrass classic 'Little Birdie' in 1925.
I'm Leavin' You
John Hammond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby don't know, just how soon
But I'm leavin' you
Woman I've got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
I'm leavin' you
Woman I got to put you down
Girl if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
No matter how I try to treat you right
Still you's a mean little thing
Well you told me that you love me
You cross your heart to die
But I found out, baby, bye bye
I'm leavin'
Woman I got to put you down
Well if you can't treat me right
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
Well early in the morning before I rise
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You's a mean little thing
Mean little thing as you can be
Well if you can't treat me right
Still you's a mean little thing
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
I'm leavin'
In "I'm Leavin' You," John Hammond expresses his need to leave his partner because of the lack of love and respect in their relationship. He does not specify when he will leave and expresses uncertainty about the timing, but conveys a sense of urgency as he declares "Woman I've got to put you down." He accuses his partner of not treating him right and acknowledges that there is no point in him sticking around if she cannot do so. He reveals that she had professed her love to him but he later found out that it was not genuine. In the final verses of the song, Hammond characterizes his partner as a "mean little thing" and emphasizes that no matter how hard he tries, she remains the same. The lyrics suggest that the decision to leave has been a long time coming and that Hammond has grown tired of being mistreated.
The lyrics to "I'm Leavin' You" depict the familiar theme of a relationship that has gone wrong, and the need to cut loose from what is obviously an unhealthy situation. The song's bluesy vibe and its raw, emotional delivery capture the sense of betrayal and frustration that Hammond feels, and the need to end the relationship once and for all. As with many blues songs, the simplicity and directness of the lyrics make them all the more powerful, especially when set against the sparse, acoustic guitar accompaniment.
Line by Line Meaning
Well maybe in the mornin', I don't know
I'm not sure of the exact time I'll be leaving you.
Baby don't know, just how soon
You don't know when I'm going to leave you.
But I'm leavin' you
I'm going to leave you.
Woman I've got to put you down
I have to end things with you.
Well if you can't treat me right
If you can't treat me well.
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
There's no point in me staying with you.
Well you told me that you love me
You said you loved me.
You cross your heart to die
You swore it was true.
But I found out that wasn't so
But I discovered it wasn't the case.
I'm leavin' you
I'm leaving you.
Woman I got to put you down
I have to end things with you.
Girl if you can't treat me right
If you can't treat me well.
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
There's no point in me staying with you.
Well early in the mornin' before I rise
In the morning before I wake up.
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You show your true colors with your bloodshot eyes.
You's a mean little thing, meanest woman I ever seen
You're a very mean person, the meanest I've ever seen.
No matter how I try to treat you right
Regardless of how well I try to treat you.
Still you's a mean little thing
You remain a very mean person.
Well you told me that you love me
You said you loved me.
You cross your heart to die
You swore it was true.
But I found out, baby, bye bye
But I discovered it wasn't the case, and now I'm leaving.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving.
Woman I got to put you down
I have to end things with you.
Well if you can't treat me right
If you can't treat me well.
Ain't no use for me hangin' around
There's no point in me staying with you.
Well early in the morning before I rise
In the morning before I wake up.
You lay that role in your bloodshot eyes
You show your true colors with your bloodshot eyes.
You's a mean little thing
You're a very mean person.
Mean little thing as you can be
As mean as can be.
Well if you can't treat me right
If you can't treat me well.
Still you's a mean little thing
You remain a very mean person.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving.
I'm leavin'
I'm leaving.
Contributed by Grace A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Craig McCauley
Love it!
Adriel Rodrigo Santos
With Duane Allman on slide guitar.
Rev Eddro
John Paul doin' it right ya'll.....................Rev Eddro
C&D Gaglia
Johnny had the Blackest voice for a White man ever known.
Blues Rain
I' m Leavin' You..................