He was born John Ned Shines in Frayser, Tennessee. He spent most of his childhood in Memphis playing slide guitar at an early age in local “jukes” and for tips on the streets. His first musical influences were Blind Lemon Jefferson and Howlin’ Wolf, but he was taught to play the guitar by his mother. Shines moved to Hughes, Arkansas in 1932 and worked on farms for three years putting his musical career on hold. But it was a chance meeting with Robert Johnson, his greatest influence, that gave him the inspiration to return to music. In 1935, Johnny Shines began traveling with Robert Johnson, touring the south and heading as far north as Ontario. There, they both appeared on a local radio program. The two went their separate ways in 1937, one year before Johnson’s death.
Johnny Shines played throughout the U.S. South until 1941 when he decided to head back to Canada and then to Africa. He never made it past Chicago. In Chicago, Shines found work in the construction trade and continued to play in local bars.
He made his first recording in 1946 for Columbia Records, but the takes were never released. He later recorded for Chess and was once again denied. He kept playing with local blues musicians in the Chicago area for several more years. In 1952, Johnny Shines recorded what is considered his best work for the J.O.B. Records label. The recordings were a commercial flop and Shines frustrated with the music industry, sold his equipment and returned to construction.
In 1966, Vanguard records found Shines taking photographs in a Chicago blues club. He recorded with the label takes for the 3rd installment of Chicago/The Blues/Today!. The album has since then become a blues classic and it brought Johnny Shines into to mainstream music scene.
Shines toured with the Chicago All Stars alongside Lee Jackson, Big Walter Horton and Willie Dixon. In the late sixties and seventies, Johnny Shines toured with Robert Johnson’s step-son, Robert Junior Lockwood as the last remaining original delta blues musicians. In 1980, Shines’ music was brought to a standstill when he suffered a stroke. He would later appear in the documentary “Searching for Robert Johnson” and manage to release one last album, Back To The Country. Johnny Shines Died on April 20, 1992 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
In 1989, Johnny Shines met a Minnesota born young blues player named Kent Duchaine, and the two of them toured for the next several years until Shines' death.
I Don't Know
Johnny Shines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I don't know, I don't know, baby from here I really can't tell
But from where I stand, baby, I don't think you're doing so well
Well I'm going for the high road, up upon eastern side
Well I'm going for the high road, up upon eastern side
I'm gonna flag every passerby, 'til someone give me a ride
I'm going to Chicago, this is what I am going to do
I'm gonna work and make a payday, baby, send back here after you
When I'm gone if you get lonesome
And you think you wanna have some fun
When I'm gone if you get lonesome
And you think you wanna have some fun
Just go over West Memphis that's where they barrelhouse all night long
The opening lines of "I Don't Know" by Johnny Shines speak to uncertainty, confusion and a sense of helplessness in trying to comprehend or interpret an ambiguous situation. The repeated refrain, "I don't know, I don't know, baby from here I really can't tell," serves as a vocalized shrug of the shoulders, an admission of cluelessness. The acknowledgment that he can't accurately assess if things are going well or not is particularly telling - it underscores a degree of distance and disconnection from what's happening, which suggests a lack of control or involvement in the situation. The lyric "But from where I stand, baby, I don't think you're doing so well" further highlights this sense of emotional remove - he's not certain, but he has a gut feeling that all is not right.
The rest of the song speaks to a plan of action. He's going to take the high road, willing to try a different approach, to get to where he wants to be. The call to "flag every passerby, 'til someone give me a ride" shows his determination to get to Chicago, where he believes he can work and send money back to his loved one. The choice of Chicago as the destination is interesting, as the city has long been associated with the African-American experience and blues music.
In short, the song is about uncertainty, distance, and the desire to take control of one's situation. It conveys a sense of restlessness, desperation and a need to take action despite not knowing what the outcome will be.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I don't know, I don't know, baby from here I really can't tell
I'm uncertain of what will happen. I'm unable to predict the outcome.
But from where I stand, baby, I don't think you're doing so well
Based on what I see, it doesn't seem like you're doing too good.
Well I'm going for the high road, up upon eastern side
I'm taking the better route, up towards the east.
I'm gonna flag every passerby, 'til someone give me a ride
I'm going to try to flag down every vehicle that passes by until someone offers me a ride.
Then I'm going to Chicago, this is what I am going to do
I am planning to go to Chicago and this is what I intend to do.
I'm gonna work and make a payday, baby, send back here after you
I'm going to find work and earn some money, then I'll send it back here to you.
When I'm gone if you get lonesome
If you feel lonely when I'm not around,
And you think you wanna have some fun
And you feel like you want to enjoy yourself,
Just go over West Memphis that's where they barrelhouse all night long
Go to West Memphis where they have all-night parties.
Writer(s): Joe Thomas, Additional Willie Mabon
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BackToTheBlues
I have this on The Story Of The Blues, the version with the sort of silvery black and white cover (if you see what I mean). Last track as I recall, and a perfect way to end the exploration of the various different styles, down-home, relaxed, reaching absolutely to the core of blues feeling and back to the beginnings of the blues. Perfect.
Tony Burnett
oh yes love this song and music,it also gives me new ideas on singing and writing new songs to lol,your friend Tony,have a really super nice day my friend :)
Pure GM
This is the Delta...
randomandrare
@cowboytony47 Thanks Tony, you do the same!