Life and careerJunior Wells was born in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, and raised in West Memphis, Arkansas, though other sources report that his birth was in West Memphis. Initially taught by his cousin, Junior Parker, and Sonny Boy Williamson II, Wells learned how to play the harmonica by the age of seven with surprising skill. He moved to Chicago in 1948 with his mother after her divorce and began sitting in with local musicians at house parties and taverns. Wild and rebellious but needing an outlet for his talents, he began performing with The Aces (guitarist brothers Dave and Louis Myers and drummer Fred Below) and developed a more modern amplified harmonica style influenced by Little Walter. In 1952, he made his first recordings, when he replaced Little Walter in Muddy Waters' band and appeared on one of Waters' sessions for Chess Records in 1952. His first recordings as a band leader were made in the following year for States Records. In the later 1950s and early 1960s he also recorded singles for Chief Records and its Profile Records subsidiary, including "Messin' with the Kid", "Come on in This House", and "It Hurts Me Too", which would remain in his repertoire throughout his career. His 1960 Profile single "Little by Little" (written by Chief owner and producer Mel London) reached #23 in the Billboard R&B chart, making it the first of two Wells' singles to enter the chart.
Junior Wells worked with guitarist Buddy Guy in the 1960s, and featured Guy on guitar when he recorded his first album, Hoodoo Man Blues for Delmark Records. Wells and Guy supported the Rolling Stones on numerous occasions in the 1970s.[6] Although his albums South Side Blues Jam (1971) and On Tap (1975) proved he had not lost his aptitude for Chicago blues, his 1980s and 1990s discs were inconsistent. However, 1996's Come On in This House was an intriguing set of classic blues songs with a rotating cast of slide guitarists, among them Alvin Youngblood Hart, Corey Harris, Sonny Landreth and Derek Trucks. Wells made an appearance in the film Blues Brothers 2000, the sequel to The Blues Brothers, which was released in 1998.
Wells continued performing until he was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 1997. That fall, he suffered a heart attack while undergoing treatment, sending him into a coma. Wells died in Chicago, after succumbing to lymphoma on January 15, 1998, and was interred in the Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago.
Messin' With the Kid
Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The people they say they're gonna put the kid down
Oh no
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid
You know the kid's no child and I don't play
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid
You know the kid's no child and I don't play
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid
We're gonna take the kid's car and drive around town
Tell everybody you're not puttin' him down
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the... yeah
One more now
The lyrics to Junior Wells's song Messin' With The Kid convey a message of defiance and warning to those who would try to challenge the titular "kid." The people in town are spreading rumors that they will "put the kid down," but the singer retaliates with a declaration that he doesn't play games and means what he says. The repetition of the line "Oh look at what you did" emphasizes the consequences of underestimating the kid's abilities, and the final stanza suggests that the singer and the kid will not let anyone take away their power or control over their own lives.
The song's message can be interpreted in a few different ways, depending on the listener's perspective. Some may hear it as a warning to bullies or those who would undermine someone's autonomy, while others may see it as a celebration of rebelliousness and independence. The repeated reference to the "kid" could suggest that the song is aimed at younger listeners, or it could be a metaphor for anyone who refuses to be controlled or oppressed by others.
Line by Line Meaning
What's this a-here goin all around town
What is this gossip spreading about town?
The people they say they're gonna put the kid down
Rumors are saying that they will destroy the kid.
Oh no
Expressing concern or worry.
Oh look at what you did
Indicates disappointment or disapproval of someone's actions.
You can call it what you want to
Suggests that different people have different interpretations of the situation.
I call it messin' with the kid
Junior Wells believes that the actions taken towards the kid are unjust.
You know the kid's no child and I don't play
The kid is not to be underestimated and Junior Wells means business.
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Junior Wells is straightforward and tells it like it is.
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
An expression of enthusiasm or agreement.
We're gonna take the kid's car and drive around town
Symbolizes their intention to put the kid through an ordeal.
Tell everybody you're not puttin' him down
Spreading the word that the kid is not going to be humiliated or destroyed.
One more now
An indication for the band to play another round of music.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MEL LONDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@teenaphelps2187
I grew up knowing Junior Wells, we lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago near Chess Records. 🎼🎵🎶🎤🎸🎷🎺🥁🎹🎻💃🕴️😊💞
@artplaut7208
YEAH TEENA
@edwinruhl6803
lucky you.
@davescupper5789
Odger yer did
@Im_using_your_moms_log_in
Not sure how to follow the emojis, but cheers!
@michaelheaton6901
You are blessed sir.
@bethmcavoy8062
What a treat to hear Junior Wells and Buddy Guy tearing it up!
@paulinemclellan2168
It sure is friend...it was soo good back then and just as good right now
@williammills3632
This is some of Buddys best guitar work ever. Junior and that band are tight and loose at the same time. Fantastic
@theherbpuffer
Buddy's my biggest inspiration as far as older blues players go, but I'm sorry Rory Gallaghers version is just something else