Junior Walker was born Autry DeWalt Jr. in Blytheville, Arkansas in 1942. Some accounts list his birth name as Oscar G. Mixon, and say his name was changed at some point during his early childhood. He grew up in South Bend, Indiana where he became a proficient saxophone player, studying the methods of some of the prominent sax players of the time. During his teens, DeWalt joined a group called the Jumping Jacks and began to perform in local clubs, calling himself Junior Walker.
He next joined a trio led by drummer Billy "Stix" Nicks, which also featured organist Fred Patton. They soon added backing vocalist and guitarist Willie Woods, and played around northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Walker took over the group after Nicks joined the Army and in the late '50s, relocated to Battle Creek, MI, and formed a band billed as Junior Walker & the All-Stars. Initially, they featured Patton, Woods, and drummer Tony Washington. Patton was later replaced by Victor Thomas, and Washington by Jack Douglas and, finally, James Graves. The All-Stars continued to play around the area, and took up a residency in Battle Creek's El Grotto club.
It was at the El Grotto that they were noticed by Johnny Bristol, who recommended them to Harvey Fuqua, who had sang with Harvey and the Moonglows. By this time, Fuqua was running his own fledgling record label called simply "Harvey". Fuqua liked what he heard and signed Junior Walker and the All Stars in 1962.
The Harvey label was soon bought out by Motown, and the group found itself recording with Soul Records. Soul was a subsidiary of Motown and all of the group's subsequent hits in the US were released on the Soul label, although they had some Tamla/Motown hits on the charts in the UK.
In early 1965, the band scored their first big hit with a dance tune that Walker had written called "Shotgun", which marked Junior's vocal debut. In fact, the only reason he sang the song was that the vocalist he'd hired didn't show up for the session, and he was somewhat flabbergasted by the label's decision to leave his vocal intact. Berry Gordy's instincts proved right, however, when "Shotgun" topped the R&B charts and hit number four on the Pop chart.
In 1966, Graves left and was replaced by old friend Billy "Stix" Nicks. Walker's hits continued with tunes like "I'm a Road Runner" (#20 Pop) and "Pucker Up Buttercup". (#3 Pop) Toward the end of the '60s, seeking to diversify their approach, the All-Stars began recording more ballad material, complete with string arrangements and Walker vocals. That approach resulted in the group's second Top Five pop hit, the R&B number one "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" which helped refuel Walker's career. He landed several more R&B Top Ten hits over the next few years, including a cover of The Guess Who's "These Eyes", which went to number 16 on the Pop chart. Musical tastes changed in the 70's and the final top forty hit for Junior Walker and the All Stars was "Do You See My Love (For You Growing)" in 1970.
Walker resurfaced as a solo artist during the disco era, working with producer Brian Holland beginning in 1976 with the single "Hot Shot". A pair of albums followed. In 1979, Walker joined up with another former Motown mainstay, signing with producer Norman Whitfield's Whitfield label, though without much success.
Walker returned to the spotlight in 1981 with a guest solo on Foreigner's Top Five hit "Urgent". Two years later, he re-signed with Motown and recorded "Blow the House Down". His melodic style was now being absorbed into a new generation of R&B-flavoured jazz instrumentalists.
Junior continued to perform in the 80's and 90's, often with his son Autry DeWalt III on drums. Sadly, Junior Walker developed cancer in 1993 and as his health deteriorated, he had difficulty walking. He died on November 23, 1995 in Battle Creek, Michigan at age 53.
In the wake of his death, Billy "Stix" Nicks continued to tour with a version of the All-Stars.
http://www.classicbands.com/jrwalker.html
Shotgun
Junior Walker & The All Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hey).
Put on your red dress and then you go down yonder.
I said buy yourself a shotgun now, were gonna break it down baby now.
We're gonna load it up baby now 'a then you shoot 'em 'fore he run now.
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now.
(Hey).
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now.
(Hey).
I said Put on your high-heeled shoes.
I said we're goin' down here and I listen to 'em play the blues.
We're gonna dig potatoes, we're gonna pick tomatoes.
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now.
(Hey).
The lyrics of Junior Walker & the All-Stars's song Shotgun combine elements of soul, R&B, and rock 'n' roll to create a lively, danceable tune. The song is a celebration of the power and allure of the titular weapon, with the singer urging the listener to buy a shotgun and use it to chase away any potential threats. Throughout the song, the singer encourages the listener to dance and move their body, exemplifying the exuberance and energy of the era in which the song was written.
The repeated refrain of "shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now" underscores the idea that the shotgun represents a kind of protective force, a way to assert oneself in the world and stave off danger. The reference to putting on a red dress and going "down yonder" adds a sense of adventure and excitement to the song, as if the singer and listener are on a journey together. The various references to picking potatoes and listening to blues music, meanwhile, suggest a simple, down-home lifestyle that values hard work and good times.
Overall, the lyrics of Shotgun are a testament to the enduring appeal of soul and R&B music, and the power of music to inspire joy, movement, and a sense of community.
Line by Line Meaning
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now. (Hey).
The singer is telling their partner to use a shotgun to prevent someone from running away, and then to dance the Jerk in celebration.
Put on your red dress and then you go down yonder.
The singer instructs their partner to put on a red dress and walk (or possibly dance) down the street.
I said buy yourself a shotgun now, were gonna break it down baby now.
The singer tells their partner to purchase a shotgun, as they will be using it soon.
We're gonna load it up baby now 'a then you shoot 'em 'fore he run now.
The artist plans to load the shotgun and use it to prevent someone from escaping.
I said Put on your high-heeled shoes.
The artist now instructs their partner to put on high-heeled shoes.
I said we're goin' down here and I listen to 'em play the blues.
The singer is taking their partner to listen to blues music.
We're gonna dig potatoes, we're gonna pick tomatoes.
The singer plans on doing some farm work with their partner.
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now. (Hey).
The final line repeats the opening line, emphasizing the need to use a shotgun and dance the Jerk in celebration.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AUTRY DEWALT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kellyaustin7487
My father passed away on April 23rd this year he was 90. Today he would've been 91 and this was his favorite song. I came here today to play this song in his honor and to share that story. One love and happy birthday dad 🎂
@alexalcocer1994
💪🏽
@russellyoung1262
Totally great song I love to listen to when I scroll and find it...hope my neighbors like it..hahaaaa...bless you for putting it up in honor of your father...
@DRCRANKNSTEIN
my pops too- used to spin dis record- when he was getting ready to go out on the town--
@Kenjiro5775
My dad died nearly 30 years ago now, but he would have been the same age as your father. He was the one who got me into Jr. Walker and the All Stars.
@natecw4164
Your pops clearly had great taste in music! <3 Much love
@StingrayKaraoke
A classic!
@swaggamandiesel2711
¡-¡
@judyjae6022
One of the coolest, funkiest songs to come out of the Motown era. I love it!
@AC-mp7cx
jackson 5 too