Many sources erroneously give his middle name as Edgar. He is best known for his popular music chart successes with songs such as, "All Around the World" (1955), "Need Your Love So Bad" (1956) and "Fever" the same year, the latter covered in 1958 by Peggy Lee. An important figure in early R&B music, Little Willie John was a 1996 Inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He was born in Cullendale, Arkansas, one of ten children, his family moving to Detroit, Michigan when he was four so that his father could pursue factory work. In the late 1940s, the eldest children, including Willie, formed a gospel singing group, and Willie also performed in talent shows, which brought him to the notice of Johnny Otis and, later, musician and producer Henry Glover. After seeing him sing with the Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams orchestra, Glover signed him to a recording contract with King Records in 1955. He was nicknamed "Little Willie" John for his short stature.
His first recording, a version of Titus Turner's "All Around the World", was a hit, reaching # 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. He followed up with a string of R&B hits, including the original version of "Need Your Love So Bad", written by his elder brother Mertis John Jr. One of his biggest hits, "Fever" (1956) (Pop #24), was more famously covered by Peggy Lee in 1958. However, John's version alone sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. Another song, "Talk to Me, Talk to Me" recorded in 1958, reached #5 in the R&B chart and #20 in the Pop chart, and also sold over one million. A few years later it was a hit once again by Sunny & the Sunglows. He also recorded "I'm Shakin'" by Rudy Toombs, "Suffering With The Blues", and "Sleep" (1960) (Pop #13). In all, John made the Billboard Hot 100 a total of fourteen times. A cover version of "Need Your Love So Bad" by Fleetwood Mac was also a hit in Europe. Another of his songs to be covered was "Leave My Kitten Alone", (1959). The Beatles recorded a version in 1964, intended for their Beatles for Sale album, but it went unreleased until 1995.
Willie John was known for his short temper and propensity to abuse alcohol, and was dropped by his record company in 1963. In 1966, he was convicted of manslaughter and sent to Washington State Penitentiary for a fatal knifing incident following a show in Seattle. He appealed against his conviction and was released while the case was reconsidered, during which time he recorded what was intended to be his comeback album, but owing to contractual wrangling and the decline of his appeal, it was not released until 2008 (as Nineteen Sixty Six). Little Willie John died in 1968 at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington. Despite counter claims, the official cause of death was listed in his death certificate as a heart attack.
His interment was in Warren, Michigan's Detroit Memorial Park East.
Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
He was the brother of singer Mable John, who recorded for Motown and Stax, and the father of Keith John, a long time backing vocalist for Stevie Wonder.
James Brown, who early in his career had opened shows for John, recorded a tribute album, Thinking about Little Willie John... and a Few Nice Things.
Robbie Robertson, former lead guitarist for The Band, referenced John in a song on his 1987 self-titled album titled "Somewhere Down the Crazy River." He was also referenced in Tom Russell's "Blue Wing."
A biography, Fever: Little Willie John; A Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul, written by Susan Whitall with Kevin John (another son of Little Willie John) was released in 2011 by Titan Books.
Home At Last
Little Willie John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My little girl is a country girl
Means more to me than anything in the world
She fixes my breakfast, lunch an' dinner
Fix 'em right on time
She fix my breakfast, lunch an' dinner
Fix 'em right on time
With that little girl of mine
That's why I'm glad, glad
Glad to be back home at last
Ooh-ooh, I'm glad, glad, glad
To be back home at last
Well, since I saw my baby
Yeah, many a day have past
Well, I roll in the station
Around 6:45
Yes, I roll in the station
Around 6:45
Should of seen my baby's face
To see my train arrive
It made me feel so good
To walk in the door
Yes, it made me feel so good
To walk in the door
Find everything the same
Even my pallet on the floor
I said 'A-hi-i-i-i, baby
I won't worry you no more'
Yes, I said, 'Hi-i-i-i, baby
I won't worry you no more'
Well, I'm right where I belong
I ain't gon' run out that door.
The song Home At Last by Little Willie John is a joyful ode to his love, a country girl. The singer focuses on the simple pleasures of being back home with his sweetheart after some time away. His girl takes good care of him, fixing his meals on time and welcoming him back enthusiastically. The lyrics are filled with a sense of appreciation and relief, highlighting how important his girl is to him in his life. There is an endearing sense of vulnerability in the way he sings, emphasizing the depth of his feelings for her.
The song blends R&B and soul influences with traditional blues, giving it a distinctive danceable quality. The song's upbeat tempo, lilting melody, and catchy lyrics make it a great dance number enjoyed by many. Little Willie John's powerful voice, brimming with soul, adds flavor to the song's emotive lyrics, expressing both love and desperation in a charming way. Thus, Home At Last is a classic feel-good song that celebrates the simplicity and stability of love and home.
Line by Line Meaning
My little girl is a country girl
My daughter is a girl who was raised in a rural area and this characteristic of her brings me great happiness.
Means more to me than anything in the world
Her presence in my life and her being who she is, matters to me more than anything else does.
She fixes my breakfast, lunch an' dinner
She prepares and serves me the three meals of the day that I need to live and survive.
Fix 'em right on time
She ensures that my food is ready on time, as I need it to stay healthy.
Glad to be back-a home
I am joyful to be returning to my house, which was previously unavailable to me.
With that little girl of mine
I am ecstatic to be reunited with my daughter and in her presence.
That's why I'm glad, glad
This is why I am so happy.
Ooh-ooh, I'm glad, glad, glad
I am very grateful to be back home.
To be back home at last
I am overjoyed to be home again.
Well, since I saw my baby
This had been a long-awaited reunion since I had last seen her.
Yeah, many a day have past
A lot of time had elapsed since I last saw her.
Well, I roll in the station
I arrive at the station.
Around 6:45
The approximate time of my arrival is 6:45.
Should of seen my baby's face
If only you could have seen the face of my daughter.
To see my train arrive
When she saw my train arrive, she was happy.
It made me feel so good
The sight of my home and my daughter made me incredibly happy.
To walk in the door
Entering the house made me feel excited.
Find everything the same
Nothing had changed, and everything was just as it should be when I came home.
Even my pallet on the floor
My makeshift bed on the floor was still there and had not been disturbed.
I said 'A-hi-i-i-i, baby
I greeted her with a drawn-out 'Hi baby.'
I won't worry you no more'
I am relieved that I can return home and not worry about any issues.
Well, I'm right where I belong
I feel like I am back where I am meant to be.
I ain't gon' run out that door.
I have no plans to leave or run away.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WALTER CARL BECKER, DONALD JAY FAGEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brenda L. Howard
Lord Willie sure could sing they say that he stood 5feet4 but his voice was 6 feets
wonderfull man he was.
Tee Brinks
I love all his songs it just take you places n make you feel real good sing your song little Willie John
wendell adair
Set the standard for a slew of future entertainers. I am a major fan.
ws3423
impeccable, incomparable, smooth, cool, powerful
Hadas Hall
Just the BEST. Do you have the late recordings he made in 1966 in LA,includes an uptempo version of this tune ?Their release was held up by legal wrangles and then LWJ's tragic death but I found a poor fidelity CD with them on years ago. Have been looking for a decent audio version ever since, with no luck.Thanx for this post.
Blues Chick
I don’t understand why the whole song is not played if I could I would put it up myself but I have no idea how but thank you for this partial song I love you Little Willie John
Cranky Shay
I WAS LISTENING TO THE RADIO THE OTHER DAY. I REMEMBER TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT WILLIE JOHN SINGING AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW. THEY PLAYED HIS SONG ON THE RADIO STATION AND I SCREAMED OUT THAT'S THE MAN I WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT CAN SING I MEAN SING AND THE ROOM GOT QUITE. AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WAS ANGRY THAT THEY DON'T MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT HIM IN THE MUSIC WORLD. BUT I SAID THANK GOD FOR THE RADIO. THEY PLAYED SHE THINKS I STILL CARE. AND COTTAGE FOR SALE. THE REST WENT STRAIGHT FOR THEY'RE PHONE SO THEY CAN HEAR SOME MORE OF LITTLE WILLIE JOHN. MOST UPSET BECAUSE THEY DON'T MENTION HIM HE'S GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. YOU CAN'T STOP WHAT HAS TO BE HEARD.
shusei sugawara
great song! however, why it's cut suddenly like that? original recording ends like that?
Ian Hope
Not by me. Really nice track.
mickeydanny
It clips off the end. Should be re recorded. Great song but let it play out.