Junior Parker was born in either Clarksdale, Mississippi or West Memphis, Arkansas as Herman Parker, Jr. He sang in gospel groups as a child, and played on the various blues circuits beginning in his teenage years. His biggest influence as a harmonica player was Sonny Boy Williamson, with whom he worked before moving on to work for Howlin' Wolf in 1949. Around 1950 he was a member of Memphis's ad hoc group, the Beale Streeters, with Bobby 'Blue' Bland and B.B. King.
In 1951 he formed his own band, the Blue Flames, with guitarist Auburn 'Pat' Hare. Parker was discovered in 1952 by Ike Turner, who signed him to Modern Records. He put out one single on this record label, "You're My Angel." This brought him to the attention of Sam Phillips, and he and his band signed onto Sun Records in 1953. There they produced three successful songs: "Feelin' Good" (which reached # 5 on the Billboard R&B charts), "Love My Baby," and "Mystery Train" ,with Floyd Murphy (Matt "Guitar" Murphy's brother) on guitar, later covered by Elvis Presley. For Presley's version of "Mystery Train", Scotty Moore borrowed the guitar riff from Parker's "Love My Baby".
Later in 1953, Parker toured with Bobby Bland and Johnny Ace, and also joined Duke Records. Parker and Bland headed the highly successful Blues Consolidated Revue, which became a staple part of the southern blues circuit. He continued to have a string of hits on the R&B chart, including the smooth "Next Time You See Me" (1957); re-makes of Roosevelt Sykes' songs, "Sweet Home Chicago" (1958) and "Driving Wheel" (1961); Guitar Slim's "The Things That I Used to Do" (1963); Don Robey's "Mother-in-Law Blues" (1956); and his own "Stand by Me." (1961)
His success was limited after he left the Duke label in 1966. He recorded for various labels, including Mercury, Blue Rock, Minit, and Capitol.
Parker died on November 18, 1971, aged 39, in Blue Island, IL during surgery for a brain tumor.
Tributes
On his 1974 album ...Explores Your Mind, Al Green dedicated his original version of the song "Take Me To The River" to Parker, who he describes as "a cousin of mine who's gone on, and we'd kinda like to carry on in his name."
Someone somewhere
Little Junior Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know there's someone somewhere who cares
I know there's someone somewhere who loves me
I know there's someone somewhere who cares
I'm gonna keep on a-searchin' until the angel answer my prayer
Good thing, good things, good things, good things, good things
Come to those who wai-ait
An' I've been waitin' a long, long time, good things come to those who wait
I'm gonna keep on a-waitin', until the day I can call you mine
I'm not gonna get discouraged, I'm not gonna turn around
I'm not gonna get discouraged, I'm tryin' to tell you, I'm not gonna turn around
I'm gonna keep on pressin' hard and forward, until true
The lyrics of Little Junior Parker's song "Someone Somewhere" are about hope and perseverance in finding love. The singer knows that there is someone out there who loves and cares for them, and they are determined to keep searching until they find that person. The repeated phrase "good things come to those who wait" emphasizes the message of patience in the pursuit of love.
The singer acknowledges that they have been waiting a long time, but they will not give up or get discouraged. They believe that they will eventually find the person they are looking for and they will keep moving forward until that happens. The use of the word "angel" in the line "I'm gonna keep on a-searchin' until the angel answers my prayer" adds a spiritual dimension to the song, suggesting that the singer is looking for a divine connection in their search for love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Someone Somewhere" convey a sense of optimism and determination in the face of long odds. The singer believes in the power of love to bring good things into their life and they are willing to put in the effort to make that happen.
Line by Line Meaning
I know there's someone somewhere who loves me
I believe that there is a person who loves me somewhere out there
I know there's someone somewhere who cares
I am aware that there is someone who cares about my well-being
I know there's someone somewhere who loves me
I have a feeling that a person out there loves me
I know there's someone somewhere who cares
I am sure that there is someone who is concerned about me
I'm gonna keep on a-searchin' until the angel answer my prayer
I will continue searching until my prayers are heard by an angel
Good thing, good things, good things, good things, good things
Good things happen to those who wait
Come to those who wai-ait
Patience is a virtue
An' I've been waitin' a long, long time, good things come to those who wait
I have waited for a while, but good things take time
An' I wanna tell you I been waitin' long, long time,
I want you to know that I have waited for a very long time
I'm gonna keep on a-waitin', until the day I can call you mine
I will be patient until the day I can say that you are mine
I'm not gonna get discouraged, I'm not gonna turn around
I will not allow myself to be discouraged or give up
I'm not gonna get discouraged, I'm tryin' to tell you, I'm not gonna turn around
I am trying to make it clear that I will not give up or lose hope
I'm gonna keep on pressin' hard and forward, until true
I will keep pushing forward until my goal is achieved
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Donald Morrow
A song that reminds me of home, the family stereo and my mom's "pretty records." This is hard blues with real class from a foundation bluesman way too few people talk about anymore.
Carlos Zialcita
I've always believed in the hopeful message this song is all about. Been listening to it a long time ...
Robert Neeley
👑🎼This is my uncle The Great Herman Parker,May your soul R.I.Power and May your music continue too be in the ears and minds of those forever!!OneLove too you my uncle because your blood will always be inside your nephew heart .👑🎼🖤
Peter Ward
Great reason to be proud. He was among the best bluesmen ever.. and this song is so loving and beautiful.. and he wrote it as well as sung it... the band is terrific ...I'm looking for video footage of him performing live.. ... Did anyone take movies of him when he performed? I hope so...
teebeeferris
a true bluesman !!!
CJ Jeanie
I remember waking up to this song being played on the record player. Thanks sooo much for posting!!!
George Whitney
Thanks for posting this. I had forgotten all about it. So happy to find it. This makes my heart glad...my mom and dad were both alive to enjoy this with me back then. *Tears*
Janet Boggs
This is what I call real music,
Cora Visser
This is fantastic .!Real music
NoRosesForMe
Beautiful....wow ...almost makes me wanna cry. Says so much.