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.
King Fish Blues
Junior Wells Lyrics
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king fish in the deep blue sea.
Little minnows in the river,
king fish in the deep blue sea.
Lord I got to gang a woman,
try'in to get a chance with me.
but baby dall, can't you see.
You may think it's all right,
but baby dall, can't you see.
Now you know dawn well,
you're getting lot of places with me.
(You can do it Big Joe)
I will play king fish babe,
I will just act like the loners do.
I will play the king fish baby,
will just act like the loners do.
In case I just flood out,
don't feel ashamed with you.
I'm a king fish papa
and I know which bait to choose.
I'm a king fish papa
and I know what kind of bait to choose.
That's why so many women is cry'in,
the old Lord King Fish Blues.
The lyrics of Junior Wells's song "King Fish Blues" tell the story of a man on the prowl for a woman. He compares his situation to that of a little minnow in the river, while acknowledging that he is himself a kingfish in the deep blue sea. The man tries to persuade a woman to give him a chance, telling her "you may think it's all right" but that she's really "getting lot of places" with him. He then declares that he will "play king fish" and adopt the subtle, careful tactics used by skilled fishermen, but that if things don't work out he won't feel ashamed.
The song captures the complex interplay of courtship and power, as the central character seeks to navigate the difficult waters of romantic relationships. By comparing himself to a skilled fisherman and suggesting that he knows just what bait to use, the man presents himself as a powerful and confident figure, but his obvious desperation to win over the woman betrays a deeper vulnerability. As with many blues songs, "King Fish Blues" is both a lament and a celebration of the ups and downs of romantic love, capturing the nuanced and complicated emotions that come with seeking out a partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Little minnows in the river
There are small fish swimming in the river.
king fish in the deep blue sea.
In contrast to the small fish in the river, there are larger fish in the sea.
Lord I got to gang a woman,
I need to find a woman to be with.
try'in to get a chance with me.
I want to have the opportunity to be with her.
You may think it's all right,
You may believe everything is okay,
but baby dall, can't you see.
but my dear, can't you see.
Now you know dawn well,
You know very well,
you're getting lot of places with me.
you are making progress and getting closer to me.
I will play king fish babe,
I will act as if I am the dominant figure.
I will just act like the loners do.
I will behave like the solitary fish in the sea.
In case I just flood out,
In the event that I am unsuccessful,
don't feel ashamed with you.
you should not feel bad or responsible for my failure.
I'm a king fish papa
I am a dominant figure.
and I know which bait to choose.
I know how to attract others to me.
That's why so many women is cry'in,
That is why so many women are upset,
the old Lord King Fish Blues.
because they cannot resist the allure of the 'King Fish' figure.
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.