Little Willie John (William Edward John, November 15, 1937 - May 26, 1968),… Read Full Bio ↴Little Willie John (William Edward John, November 15, 1937 - May 26, 1968), was an American Rhythm & Blues singer who performed in the 1950s and early 1960s.

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.

Spasms
Little Willie John Lyrics

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When I saw your smiling face
Spreading joy all over the place
I said, 'Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo'
Please save me from going crazy
'Cause you're giving me spasms, baby!

I went to the doctor, the doctor said
Without your love I'd soon be dead

I said, 'Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo'
Please save me from going crazy
'Cause you're giving me spasms, baby!

Oh what a fit, I alway get
A-when you touch my shaking hand
If ya tell me this ain't love
I know right away you don't understand

You kiss me once, um-hm
I ask for more
You kiss me twice, woo!
I hit the floor

I said, 'Woo-ooo-ooo'
Please save me, from going crazy
Oh, you giving me spasms, baby!

Oh what a fit, I always get
A-when ya touch my shaking hand
If ya tell me this ain't love
I know by the way ya don't understand

You squeeze me tight, hmm
I got the feeling!
You squeeze me tighter
And I hit the Ceiling!

I said, Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooh
Please save me, from going crazy

Ooh, you giving me spasms, baby!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Little Willie John's song "Spasms" are all about the intense physical and emotional reactions the singer is experiencing when in the presence of the subject of his affections. He describes feeling like he is going crazy and having spasms due to the person's overwhelming effect on him. He goes to the doctor and is told that without their love, he would die, implying that his attraction to this person is a matter of life and death. The verses describe reactions like shaking hands and hitting the floor when kissed, along with the feeling of being squeezed tight and hitting the ceiling.

These lyrics are a great example of how intense and all-consuming love can feel, and how it can have physical manifestations. The repetition of "please save me from going crazy" shows how the singer is feeling overwhelmed and desperate for a way to manage their feelings. The use of onomatopoeia in "ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo" and "woo-ooo-ooo" adds to the sense of physical, uncontrollable reaction that the singer is experiencing.

Line by Line Meaning

When I saw your smiling face
Upon seeing your joyful face

Spreading joy all over the place
Radiating happiness everywhere you go

I said, 'Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo'
Expressing intense admiration

Please save me from going crazy
Rescue me from losing my sanity

'Cause you're giving me spasms, baby!
Your presence creates uncontrollable impulses and emotions in me

I went to the doctor, the doctor said
I sought medical advice

Without your love I'd soon be dead
My survival depends on your affection

Oh what a fit, I always get
I experience a powerful reaction

A-when you touch my shaking hand
Whenever you make physical contact

If ya tell me this ain't love
If you deny that this is love

I know right away you don't understand
I am aware that you lack comprehension