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.
Standing Around Crying
John Hammond Lyrics
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Oh, baby, look how you got me standin' around cyin'
I know I don't love you, little girl,
but, your always restin' on my mind
Oh baby, I ain't gonna be ridin' ya around in my automobile
Oh baby, I ain't gonna be ridin' ya around in my automobile
You got so many men,
Oh baby, you ain't nothin' like you used to be
Oh no, don't get me killed, honey
Oh baby, you ain't nothin' like you used to be
When I was deep in love with you little girl,
you was just sweet as an apple on a tree
The lyrics of John Hammond's song "Standing Around Crying" depict a man who is heartbroken and lamenting over the fact that he is still in love with a girl who does not reciprocate his feelings. He sings that even though he knows he does not love her, she is always on his mind. The use of the phrase "standing around crying" can be taken both literally and figuratively. It could mean that he is physically standing and crying over the girl or it could also mean that he feels helpless and stuck in a situation where he is just wasting his time on someone who does not value him.
As the song progresses, the singer highlights his decision to not take the girl on rides in his automobile anymore as she has too many men and he fears for his life. The lyrics also indicate how the girl has changed from being sweet and loving to someone who is unrecognizable. The song ends on a note of desperation as the singer implores the girl not to get him killed.
The overall theme of the song is unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The singer's vulnerability is expressed through his crying and the feeling of being stuck in a hopeless situation. The twist at the end, with the girl's changed persona, adds to the despair that he is experiencing. The song is a classic blues number, capturing the heartbreak and anguish that is often associated with the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, baby, look how you got me standin' around cyin'
I am crying in despair because of the way you have treated me, oh baby.
I know I don't love you, little girl,
but, your always restin' on my mind
Even though I don't love you, little girl, I cannot help but think of you all the time.
Oh baby, I ain't gonna be ridin' ya around in my automobile
I am not going to ride you around in my car anymore, oh baby.
You got so many men,
that I'm afraid you may get me killed
I am afraid that because you have so many men in your life, one of them might kill me.
Oh baby, you ain't nothin' like you used to be
You have changed so much, oh baby. You are nothing like the person I fell in love with.
When I was deep in love with you little girl,
you was just sweet as an apple on a tree
When I was in love with you, little girl, you were as sweet as an apple on a tree.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MCKINLEY MORGANFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind