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.
Poor Side Of Town
Johnny Rivers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the last time I saw you, you wouldn't even kiss me
That rich guy you've been seein'
Must have put you down
So welcome back baby
To the poor side of town
To him you were nothin' but a little plaything
To me you were the greatest thing this boy had ever found
And girl it's hard to find nice things
On the poor side of town
I can't blame you for tryin'
I'm tryin' to make it too
I've got one little hang up baby
I just can't make it without you
So tell me, are you gonna stay now
Will you stand by me girl all the way now
Oh with you by my side
They just can't keep us down
Together we can make it girl
From the poor side of town
(So tell me how much you love me)
(Come be near to me and say you need me now)
Oh, with you by my side
This world can't keep us down
Together we can make it baby
From the poor side of town
The lyrics to Johnny Rivers's song Poor Side of Town speak of a man pleading with his love interest to come back to him, despite their diverging economic circumstances. The singer acknowledges that his lover may have been intrigued by a wealthy man who treated her poorly, but he still loves her and wants her back. He contrasts himself with the wealthy man, emphasizing that he views his lover as more than just a fling, but as someone special. He goes on to say that it may be difficult to find love on the poor side of town, but he believes they can make it work if they are together. He asks her to stay and be with him, and assures her that together, they can overcome any obstacle.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a commentary on class differences and how they can create obstacles in relationships. The singer seems to be suggesting that love can conquer all, even if it means facing the struggles that come with living in poverty. The song highlights the importance of genuine love and loyalty over material wealth.
Line by Line Meaning
How can you tell me how much you miss me
The singer is skeptical when the other person claims to miss him since they have not shown any affection in the past.
When the last time I saw you, you wouldn't even kiss me
The singer recalls that the last time he met with the other person, they refused to kiss him goodbye.
That rich guy you've been seein'
The other person has been dating someone who is wealthy.
Must have put you down
The singer assumes that the wealthy guy must have hurt the other person's feelings.
So welcome back baby
The singer is happy that the other person has returned to him.
To the poor side of town
The singer lives in a less affluent neighborhood and wants the other person to accept that.
To him you were nothin' but a little plaything
The singer believes that the other person was not taken seriously by their previous partner.
Not much more than an overnight fling
The relationship between the other person and their previous partner was brief and unimportant.
To me you were the greatest thing this boy had ever found
The singer feels strongly about the other person and sees them as a precious thing.
And girl it's hard to find nice things
The singer believes that it is rare to find someone as special as the other person.
On the poor side of town
The singer reiterates that he lives in a less affluent neighborhood.
I can't blame you for tryin'
The singer understands that the other person was pursuing a better life with someone else.
I'm tryin' to make it too
The singer is also trying to improve his own life.
I've got one little hang up baby
The singer has one problem that prevents him from being fully successful.
I just can't make it without you
The singer needs the other person's support to overcome his obstacles.
So tell me, are you gonna stay now
The singer asks if the other person plans on staying with him.
Will you stand by me girl all the way now
The singer wants the other person to be committed to their relationship.
Oh with you by my side
The singer believes that he can accomplish anything with the other person's help.
They just can't keep us down
The singer and the other person will not be held back by their circumstances.
Together we can make it girl
The singer is confident that together they can succeed.
From the poor side of town
The singer reminds the other person of the neighborhood they live in.
(So tell me how much you love me)
The singer wants to hear about the other person's love for him.
(Come be near to me and say you need me now)
The singer wants the other person to show physical affection and express their dependence on him.
Oh, with you by my side
The singer reiterates that he needs the other person's help to succeed.
This world can't keep us down
The singer and the other person will not be held back by their circumstances.
Together we can make it baby
The singer believes that they can succeed if they work together.
From the poor side of town
The singer emphasizes the fact that they live in a less affluent neighborhood.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHNNY RIVERS, LOU ADLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind