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 Can Tell
John Hammond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can tell the way you look at me
The way you know you hold my hand
Yes, pretty baby I can understand
I can tell, I can tell
I know you don't love me no more
No more, no more
I can tell, I can tell
I know you don't love me no more
I asked your Mama and your Papa, too
What more can a poor man do?
Now, you been running with a heart breaker child around
Here's a new bounce that you put me down
I can tell, I can tell
I know you don't love me no more
Well, you won't answer your telephone
When I knock on your door they say that you ain't home
Your sister let me in and tell me I can wait
When you come home you show up real late
Now, I can tell, I can tell
I know you don't love me no more
No more
I said, "No more"
No more
No more
Baby, I can give you romance
Only if you give me another chance
I'll cook your food and I'll wash your clothes
I promise will keep your warm when it get cold
I can tell
I can tell
I know you don't love me no more
No more
No more
No more
No more
In "I Can Tell," John Hammond sings about his realization that his partner no longer loves him. He can tell by the way she looks at him and the way she holds his hand, but also by the fact that she won't answer his calls, isn't home when he knocks on her door, and shows up late when she finally does come home. Hammond has even asked her parents what he can do to win her back, but it seems like she's already moved on to someone else. Despite all of this, Hammond still wants to try to make the relationship work, offering to cook for her and keep her warm in the cold.
The song's lyrics are relatively straightforward and to the point, conveying a sense of sadness and resignation about the end of a relationship. Hammond's vocals are emotional and plaintive, highlighting the pain of the situation. The backing instrumentation is sparse and bluesy, with a prominent keyboard riff and tasteful guitar fills.
Line by Line Meaning
I can tell because it's plain to see
I can sense the situation and understand it easily.
I can tell the way you look at me
I can see the way you glance at me and interpret it with ease.
The way you know you hold my hand
The way you grip my hand implies that you understood me well.
Yes, pretty baby I can understand
Yes, my dear, I can perceive what you're trying to convey.
I asked your Mama and your Papa, too
I've conversed with both your parents to understand the situation closely.
What more can a poor man do?
What else can an unfortunate person like me do in this scenario?
Here's a new bounce that you put me down
You have presented me with a situation of despair and heartbreak.
Well, you won't answer your telephone
You're not picking up your phone calls anymore.
When I knock on your door they say that you ain't home
When I come and knock on your door, your family members say that you're not there.
Your sister let me in and tell me I can wait
Your sister allowed me to come in and told me that I could wait for you to come back.
When you come home you show up real late
You're coming back home quite late at night.
Baby, I can give you romance
Sweetheart, I can provide you with love and affection.
Only if you give me another chance
Only if you let me make things right and start over again with you.
I'll cook your food and I'll wash your clothes
I'll take care of you by cooking your meals and cleaning your clothes.
I promise I'll keep you warm when it gets cold
I assure you that I'll make sure you're cozy and comfortable in cold weather.
I can tell
I can sense the truth.
I know you don't love me no more
I understand that you've fallen out of love with me.
No more
It's over now.
I said, "No more"
I'm confirming that the relationship is truly over.
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
swagtasticle360
what a great record. that's robbie robertson on lead guitar. it's so refreshing to hear this-before clapton popularized busy blues guitar
Edward Davis
Love this song. I met John at the Inn of the Beginning in Cotati CA...long time ago. Spoke to him for about 30 minutes....very sweet guy, very humble. We talked about his dad about...a very distinguished guy if you don't know about him.
Kelly Jay
I bought this album along with a Brownie McGhee/Sonny Terry/Lightnin' Hopkins one and Johnny Winters first album from a bargain bin in the early seventies and my life was never the same.
kaitlyn newgirl
wow...I was 8 years old when this was recorded...had the pleasure of the man's company for dinner a few years back...an unforgettable evening with a legend...
Mariel Franco
I can't stop listening!!!
C&D Gaglia
WOW ! Kaitlyn, i'm in awe. I've been a fan of his since 1967, I was then 15 yrs old. Most all of my friends thought I was nuts, instead of listening to ? the Four Tops, or ... but i still got the last laugh. even to this day. Cheers
Hans Peter Schou
This John Hammond I can tell album is....eh....oh ..oh..it......I.....cant .... I can tell it makes me ...eh... happy. Happy ,happy, happy.......ITS SO TIGHt!!!!
Francois Froge
♥♥♥
Peter Spencer
Believe it's Wyman here, although most of the album was Rick Danko. The great Charles Otis on drums, Robbie Robertson on guitar.
Peter Warrington
yeah a real nice guy, had a long chat at the Basement in Sydney in 88. Signed a mate's cast on his broken arm. Bill Wyman bass on this I think?