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.
Promised Land
Johnny Rivers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
I straddled that Greyhound and rode him
Into Raleigh and on across Caroline
We stopped in Charlotte, we
By passed Rock Hill
We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by
Sundown rollin' out of Georgia State
We had motor trouble that
Turn into a struggle, halfway across Alabam
And that hound broke down and left
Us all stranded in downtown Birmingham
Right away I bought me a through
Train ticket got across Mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flyer out
Of Birmingham smokin' into New Orleans
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana just
Help me get to Houston town
There are people there who
Care a little 'bout
Me and won't let the poor boy down
Sure as you're born they bought me a
Silk suit put luggage in my hand
And I woke up hight over Albuquerque on
A jet to the Promised land
Workin' on a T-bone steak à la carte
Flyin' over to the Golden State
When the pilot told us in 13 minutes he
Would set us at the terminal gate
Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings and
Let me make it to the telephone
Los Angeles, give me Norfolk, Virginia
Tidewater four-ten-o-nine
Tell the folks back home this
Is the promised land
Callin' and the poor boy's on the line
The lyrics of "Promised Land" by Johnny Rivers tell the story of a journey from Norfolk, Virginia to California, with the singer traveling by Greyhound bus, train, and eventually by plane. The song captures the sense of excitement and anticipation of starting a new life in California, referred to as the "promised land." The lyrics describe the various cities and states the singer passes through, highlighting moments of trouble, such as the bus breaking down in Birmingham and the need for help to get out of Louisiana. However, the journey ultimately leads the singer to Los Angeles, where they feel a sense of belonging and connection to their hometown.
The song reflects the theme of pursuing dreams and seeking a better life, which was a common theme in many songs of the 1960s. It captures the spirit of adventure and the desire to escape one's current circumstances in search of greener pastures. Johnny Rivers' rendition of the song, with its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, adds to the overall positive and hopeful vibe of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
I departed from my hometown in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
I had a strong desire to be in California
I straddled that Greyhound and rode him
I boarded a Greyhound bus and traveled on it
Into Raleigh and on across Caroline
I continued my journey through Raleigh and across North Carolina
We stopped in Charlotte, we
We made a stop in Charlotte
By passed Rock Hill
We skipped over Rock Hill
We never was a minute late
We were always on time
We was ninety miles out of Atlanta by
We had traveled ninety miles away from Atlanta when
Sundown rollin' out of Georgia State
The sun was setting as we left the state of Georgia
We had motor trouble that
We encountered issues with our vehicle that
Turn into a struggle, halfway across Alabam
Became a challenging situation while we were halfway through Alabama
And that hound broke down and left
The Greyhound bus broke down and abandoned
Us all stranded in downtown Birmingham
Leaving us all stuck in downtown Birmingham
Right away I bought me a through
Immediately, I purchased a
Train ticket got across Mississippi clean
Train ticket in order to cross Mississippi smoothly
And I was on that midnight flyer out
I boarded the midnight flight out
Of Birmingham smokin' into New Orleans
Leaving Birmingham and heading towards New Orleans
Somebody help me get out of Louisiana just
Someone assist me in leaving Louisiana, simply
Help me get to Houston town
Assist me in reaching the city of Houston
There are people there who
There are individuals in that place who
Care a little 'bout
Have some concern for
Me and won't let the poor boy down
Me and won't disappoint the unfortunate boy
Sure as you're born they bought me a
Without a doubt, they purchased for me a
Silk suit put luggage in my hand
Silk suit and handed me my baggage
And I woke up hight over Albuquerque on
And I woke up high above Albuquerque on
A jet to the Promised land
A jet flying towards the desired destination
Workin' on a T-bone steak à la carte
Enjoying a T-bone steak served separately
Flyin' over to the Golden State
Flying towards the state of California
When the pilot told us in 13 minutes he
At that moment, the pilot informed us that in 13 minutes he
Would set us at the terminal gate
Would land the plane at the gate of the terminal
Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Gently descend, sweet chariot
Taxi to the terminal zone
Proceed to the designated zone for arrival
Cut your engines and cool your wings and
Turn off your engines and let your wings rest and
Let me make it to the telephone
Allow me to reach the telephone
Los Angeles, give me Norfolk, Virginia
Los Angeles, connect me to Norfolk, Virginia
Tidewater four-ten-o-nine
Specifically, Tidewater 4109
Tell the folks back home this
Inform the people back home that
Is the promised land
This is the longed-for and ideal place
Callin' and the poor boy's on the line
Calling, and the young man in a disadvantaged position is waiting on the phone
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind