He was versatile enough to do folk songs, blues, covers of old-time Rock n' roll songs, and some original material, all of them in his own unique style. Rivers's greatest success came in the mid and late 1960s with a string of hit songs (including "Seventh Son," "Poor Side of Town" and "Secret Agent Man") but he has continued to record and perform to the present.
In 1960, Rivers met fellow Louisianan, James Burton, the guitar player for Ricky Nelson. Burton later recommended one of Rivers's songs to Nelson, who went on to record it. In 1961, Rivers went to Los Angeles to meet Nelson, and ended up relocating there, working as a song writer and studio musician. In 1963, Rivers's big break came when he temporarily filled in for a jazz combo at Bill Gazzari's night club; the temporary gig became long-term due to positive customer response.
In 1964, Elmer Valentine then gave Rivers a one-year contract to open his new club, Whisky a Go Go, on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The Whisky opened three days before The Beatles released "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and the British Invasion knocked almost every American artist off the top of the charts. But Rivers was so popular, producer Lou Adler decided to issue Johnny Rivers Live At The Whiskey A Go Go. The live album reached #12 on the charts and the single "Memphis" (a Chuck Berry cover) reached #2. Rivers made the successful transition from nightclub entertainer to chart-busting pop singer and had created the Go Go sound, part of a scene which included Go-Go dancers.
Into 1965, Rivers continued to record mostly live, Go Go style records including "Maybellene" (another Berry cover), which he followed "Mountain of Love", "Midnight Special", "Seventh Son" (written by Willie Dixon) e "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" (with Pete Seeger's), all of which were hits.
Rivers wanted to try something different and adopted a more idiosyncratic approach as from 1966. Characterized by his smooth, soulful voice, he produced hit portrayals as "Poor Side Of Town", which would be his biggest hit ever and his only number one record. Into another hit was "Secret Agent Man", the theme from Secret Agent television series (written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri). He also started own record company, Soul City Records, where he won a Grammy Award as the producer of the 5th Dimension, which eventually recorded "Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In" and "Wedding Bell Blues", two number one hits on Rivers' label. Johnny is also credited with giving songwriter Jimmy Webb a major break when they recorded Webb's song "Up, Up, and Away". James Hendricks, one of the artists of that signed with Soul City, wrote "Summer Rain", a song that Rivers recorded and turned a hit.
Johnny Rivers continued to record more hits, including "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" and "The Tracks of My Tears" (cover of The Miracles), both top 10 in 1967. In 1968, Rivers released what many fans consider his best album, Realization, a number five album on the LP charts. The album was evocative of the psychedelic influences of the time and marked a subtle change in his musical direction, with more thoughtful types of songs, included such ballads as "Going Back to Big Sur".
In the 1970s, Rivers continued to record more songs and albums which were a success with music critics, but did not sell as well as some of his earlier hits. One of these albums, "L.A. Reggae" in 1972, reached the LP charts as a result of the top 10 "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" (a cover of Huey Smith & the Clowns). Anothers hits that time were "Blue Suede Shoes" (a cover of Carl Perkins), in 1973, which would reach the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Help Me Rhonda", in 1975 - a cover of The Beach Boys on which Brian Wilson helped with backup vocals. His last entry on the charts was "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing)", a top ten hit in 1977.
1980's until nowadays
Rivers continued recording into the '80's, although his recording career wound down somewhat. In spite of his music hasn't reached the best seller charts for quite a while, Rivers is still touring, doing 50 to 60 shows a year, increasingly returning to the blues that inspired him initially.
In 1998], Rivers reactivated his Soul City imprint and released Last Train to Memphis, his first new studio album in 15 years.
In early 2000, Johnny recorded with Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, and Paul McCartney on a tribute album dedicated to Buddy Holly's backup band, "The Crickets".
In all, Rivers had 9 top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and 17 in the top 40 from 1964 to 1977. In total, he has sold well over 25 million records.
BE MY BABY
Johnny Rivers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought she would cry, or sit around my room and grieve
But oh the girl she fooled me this time
Acting like I was the last thing on her mind
Now I'd like to start all over again
I just want to change my mind
As I took those steps, toward that open door
She didn't give me no sign
Nothing that would make me wanna change my mind
And I would like to start all over again
Baby, can I change my mind
'Cause I would like to change my mind
You know, I was confused, sitting here by myself thinking
watching you walk to the door and walk away
what was I supposed to say change your mind
Oh I've played my game so many times before
But people let me tell y'all, that I never reached the door
Oh the wind it is high tonight
I keep lookin' for my baby but she's not in sight
And I would like to start all over again
Baby can I change my mind
'Cause I would like to start all over again
Baby can I change my, my mind
'Cause I would like to start all over again with you girl
Johnny Rivers's song "Be My Baby" is a touching ballad that speaks about regret and the desire to start anew. In the beginning, the singer of the song, (who is assumed to be Rivers himself), is preparing to pack his bags to leave his significant other. He anticipates that she would break down, weep, or try to convince him to stay. However, he is shocked when she doesn't react to his departure. She acts as though he is the last person on her mind, and this confuses him. Now, he wishes he could turn back time and start all over with her, indicating he was not emotionally ready to let go.
As he begins moving towards the door, her lack of reaction causes him to pause. Though he wished to leave, he is drawn to stay by her inertness. However, she does not give him a sign that he misunderstood anything, so, he walks away. He spends the rest of the song regretting his decision and yearning for a second chance, confessing that he was confused and playing games with her. The song ends with a plea, “Baby can I change my mind?”, asking if he can go back and start again, hoping she still believes in him.
Overall, the song expresses the sorrow, pain, and confusion that accompany a love gone awry. It describes the tendency to take the people we love for granted, expecting their affections to be constant even when our behavior changes. Rivers's plea during the chorus is both sorrowful and genuine, as he longs for another chance to start over with the person he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
She didn't bat an eye, as I packed my bags to leave
She didn't show any emotion as I prepared to depart
I thought she would cry, or sit around my room and grieve
I expected her to express sorrow but instead she remained composed
But oh the girl she fooled me this time
She deceived me with her unemotional response
Acting like I was the last thing on her mind
Behaving as if I was not significant to her
Now I'd like to start all over again
I wish to start fresh and make amends
I just want to change my mind
I desire to reconsider my decision
As I took those steps, toward that open door
While I walked towards the exit
Knowing all the time, oh Lord I just didn't wanna go
Despite being aware of my departure, I did not want to leave
She didn't give me no sign
She did not indicate any reason to stay
Nothing that would make me wanna change my mind
No reason to reconsider my choice
You know, I was confused, sitting here by myself thinking
I was uncertain and reflecting on the situation alone
Watching you walk to the door and walk away
Observing as you left me behind
What was I supposed to say, change your mind
I was unsure of how to convince you to stay
Oh I've played my game so many times before
I have attempted to change my mind frequently in the past
But people let me tell y'all, that I never reached the door
Despite my previous attempts, I have always failed to leave
Oh the wind it is high tonight
The wind is strong today
I keep lookin' for my baby but she's not in sight
I am searching for my girl but cannot find her
Baby can I change my mind
Can I reconsider my decision, baby?
'Cause I would like to start all over again
I wish to make amends and begin anew
Baby can I change my, my mind
Honey, can I have a change of heart?
'Cause I would like to start all over again with you girl
I want to start afresh with you, darling
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARRY GEORGE DESPENZA, CARL WOLFOLK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
threemississippi
Never heard Johnny singing this tune before, it's wonderful - smooth & sultry voice of Johnny's -
Geraldo Nicacio
Parabéns Johnny Rivers !
Chaz Mann
Great song..I forgot about this song. I still always listen to Johnny. See him live. You won't be dissappointed..This song is also on the album with China..another great tune. Thx 4 posting.
Márcio João de Bartolo Bartolo
hello😎👉Johnny Rivers esse é o astro 🎸🎼🎶🍃🎵🎷🎤👊👊👊👊👊👊👊
Guilherme Varotto
Parabéns p seus 70 anos . um icone da musica mundial !
Karen Monet
This is one of my favorite Johnny Rivers songs!!!!! Where did it come from?
norberto bonomo
"VERY GOOD,VERY GOOD"....THANKS YOU MR. RIVERS...
Karen Monet
I took your advice. I saw Johnny Rivers january 15 at Beverly Hills.
WOW...WOW..WOW.. I am still smiling. Best rockin concert I have ever
been to. am going again real soon. love Johnny Rivers forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SILVIA Spee
AMO VOCE JOHNNY RIVERS!
Adenir Braz Amaral
muito bom...............