He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Arkansas. Wells moved to Chicago in 1948 and first made his mark at age 18 playing in Muddy Waters' band. He later worked with Buddy Guy in the 1960s and recorded for Delmark Records. His most memorable songs are "Messin' With the Kid" and "Little by Little," and his best-known album, 1965's Hoodoo Man Blues, which evokes the smoky atmosphere of the era's Westside Chicago blues bars.
Wells made an appearance in the 1998 movie Blues Brothers 2000, the sequel to The Blues Brothers. The movie was released less than a month after his death.
On his passing in 1998, Junior Wells was interred in the Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago.
Stomach Ache
Junior Wells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, baby
Ooh, I got a stomach ache
When you rock, you know you look so good
And when you walk, baby, you know you look so good
And every time you walk down the street
You wave outside to the blind
Met a fisherman on the curb
He said, "Hey where you going?"
I said, "Look here man, I'm going my way"
He said, "Lookie look, boy, ain't that a crying shame"
I said, why he said, he said, "I got a stomach ache"
The song "Stomach Ache" by Junior Wells is a blues track that features a straightforward beat, catchy guitar riffs, and soulful harmonica playing. At its core, the song is about a man who is smitten with a woman to the point where he experiences physical pain. Wells sings, "I got a stomach ache" repeatedly throughout the song, emphasizing the depth of his obsession with this woman. He describes how good she looks when she walks and how she even waves to the blind as she passes by them on the street.
During the song, Wells has an encounter with a fisherman, who he meets on a curb. The fisherman is curious about where Wells is going, but Wells simply tells him that he is going his own way. The fisherman comments on how much of a shame it is that Wells has a stomach ache, which could be interpreted as a comment on his infatuation with this woman, which is causing him such distress.
Overall, "Stomach Ache" is a song about unrequited love, the kind of love that causes so much pain that you may as well have a stomach ache. Wells' soulful voice and the bluesy instrumentation make the song emotional and relatable, creating a memorable tune that sticks with the listener long after it's over.
Interesting facts:
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, ooh, come on
Encouraging someone to do something or inviting them to come over
Come on, baby
Addressing a loved one or someone close with affection
Ooh, I got a stomach ache
Expressing physical discomfort, which could be a metaphor for emotional pain
When you rock, you know you look so good
Complimenting someone's appearance or style when they move or dance
And when you walk, baby, you know you look so good
Praising someone's physical appearance when they walk
And every time you walk down the street
Noticing someone's presence and impact as they move through public spaces
You wave outside to the blind
Imagining a scenario where someone's movement or energy can be sensed even by those who can't see
Met a fisherman on the curb
Describing a chance encounter with a stranger in a specific location
He said, "Hey where you going?"
A typical opening question in conversation to establish context
I said, "Look here man, I'm going my way"
Asserting one's independence and direction in life
He said, "Lookie look, boy, ain't that a crying shame"
Drawing attention to something negative or disappointing
I said, why he said, he said, "I got a stomach ache"
Explaining the reason for the stranger's emotional reaction, which could be a literal pain or a metaphor for sadness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BUDDY GUY, AMOS BLAKEMORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
screwedagain1
Junior Wells was soooooo cool.
And man could he jam on a harp!
Him and Buddy Guy made a great team.
Cora Visser
This is real pure blues i love it,super.
philippe kempf
Soul Rhythm & Blues !!!
Steve Drew
One of my favs..
Recorded this on a cassette tape ,repeating this song for at least 30 +++ minutes..
Next day my downstairs neighbor ,said she heard it playing pretty much all night....ooch !!
LOST IN MUSIC
Excellent and therefore in my Groove Magicians playlist
Teresa PUPPO
Unico JUNIOR❤️
Michael Igoe
I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and had this record when I was 14. saw Muddy Waters before he passed, Luther Allison, so many great people and players. Memories linger.
Peter Short
I am a white boy from the woods of rural Vermont n my sister married a white boy from Ohio, who played harp in a blues band...I got this album for my 14 birthday, 1967...Music connects us when it is REAL fo' sho' y'all...
Mike Oak
I did a Blues radio show in Minneapolis in the 1980s and was able to meet Buddy and Junior and Luther. Junior and I got to know each other over time during the band's visits there. Once we went for a walk together during the break and he told me some very personal stuff that was on his mind. I am honored that he confided in me. When Muddy finally came to town people were camping on the sidewalk outside the bar. When I got there I couldn't get in even with my press pass. "Too full." That was my last chance too see him before he died.
Teresa PUPPO
Strepitosi come sempre