Junior Parker was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi as Herman Parker, Jr. He played on the various blues circuits beginning in his teenage years, playing with artists like Sonny Boy Williamson (his mentor) and Howlin' Wolf. Parker was discovered by Ike Turner in 1952, who signed him to Modern Records. He put out one single on this record label, "You're My Angel."
He and his band, The Blue Flames, signed onto Sun Records in 1953, and produced three successful songs: "Feelin' Good", "Love My Baby," and "Mystery Train" (later covered by Elvis Presley).
Parker had periodic success over the next decade: Remakes of Roosevelt Sykes' songs, "Driving Wheel" and "Sweet Home Chicago"; Guitar Slim's The Things That I Used to Do; Don Robey's "Mother-in-Law Blues"; and his own "Stand by Me." His success was limited after he left the employment of his label in the late 1960s. He died of a brain tumor in 1971.
Sweet Home Chicago
Junior Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, baby don't you wanna go?
Back to the same old place, sweet home Chicago
One and one is two, two and two is four
Way I love the little girl, you'll never know
Come on, baby don't you wanna go?
Back to the same old place, sweet home Chicago
Four and two is six, six and two is eight
Cryin' hey, baby don't you wanna go?
Back to the same old place, sweet home Chicago
Come on baby, don't you wanna go?
Come on baby don't you wanna go?
Back to the same old place, sweet home Chicago
In Junior Parker's "Sweet Home Chicago," the lyrics plead with a lover to return to their old stomping grounds for a familiar taste of home. The repetition of "come on, baby don't you wanna go?" in the opening verses sets a desperate tone that is further emphasized by the mention of arithmetic: "one and one is two, two and two is four." The singer is trying to convince their significant other that going back to Chicago is the logical choice, but it's also a sentimental one. Between the counting and the exhortations, there's a sense of urgency that runs throughout the song, a feeling that something valuable will be lost if the love interest doesn't come along.
The repetition of "sweet home Chicago" reinforces the longing for familiarity and comfort that the singer desires. It becomes a refrain, a constant reminder of the happiness that they feel in the city, and they want to share it with their partner. The line, "Look here baby don't you make me late/Crying, hey baby don't you wanna go?" underscores that the singer's yearning for their loved one to join them is becoming more pained and desperate as time passes. The repeated "come on, baby" only serves to emphasize the sense of desperation.
Overall, "Sweet Home Chicago" speaks to the desire for the comfort of home, particularly in the face of uncertainty or loss. The repetition of familiar numerical equations like "one and one is two" shows that the familiarity of Chicago is a guiding force in a world that can feel chaotic and complicated.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, baby don't you wanna go?
The singer is urging his lover to come with him on a trip.
Come on, baby don't you wanna go?
The singer repeats his request, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Back to the same old place, sweet home Chicago
The singer wants to return to his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
One and one is two, two and two is four
The singer is using basic math to emphasize the simplicity of his message.
Way I love the little girl, you'll never know
The singer loves his partner deeply, but they may not fully understand the extent of his feelings.
Come on, baby don't you wanna go?
The singer repeats his request, still hoping his lover will come with him.
Back to the same old place, sweet home Chicago
The destination of the trip is the singer's hometown of Chicago.
Four and two is six, six and two is eight
The singer once again uses basic math to convey his simple message.
Look here baby don't you make me late
The singer wants his partner to hurry up so they can leave as soon as possible.
Cryin' hey, baby don't you wanna go?
The singer pleads with his partner to come with him, with desperation in his voice.
Back to the same old place, sweet home Chicago
The singer's hometown of Chicago is still the desired destination.
Come on baby, don't you wanna go?
The singer again urges his partner to come with him.
Come on baby don't you wanna go?
The singer repeats his request, still hoping his lover wants to come with him.
Back to the same old place, sweet home Chicago
The trip's destination is the singer's beloved hometown of Chicago, and he can't wait to return.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: HERMAN PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Neeley
🎼This is my uncle The Great Herman Parker, May your soul Rest In Power and May your music and sounds live in the ears and minds of those forever!! ONE LOVE 🖤with a nephew hugg because you are in my blood always and forever🎼
hubert sumlin
that's amazing, hope you teach the young ones about him. y'all should be very proud.
eugene spudich
best version of this song ever. no one can top this by little junior parker
Steve Richter
Best recorded version ever? Certainly sets a high bar for authenticity, at least to these ears...
Bob A
This was always the definitive version of Sweet Home Chicago, as far as I am concerned. It was THE hit version of the 50's, and still my favorite version of all time.
sciexp_Oscar
I like the Robert Johnson one too... That's the first one I heard, and I love it as well...
obvnafeip
Good music for endless decades!!!
I Collect Stuff - Vinyl Community
What an version !
John Jackson
Thnks beautiful what a Band &what an Artist,got to be in the Top 3 versions of this song.....
Al Blake
I've heard so many attempts at this song....none come close to Jr.'s and Co. !!!!