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.

Suffering With the Blues
Little Willie John Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Somewhere, somehow
Sometime, some place
I did someone wrong
And now I'm suffering with the blues

Don't know just where
Or why, or how
I must have been wrong

'Cause now I'm suffering with the blues

Why does your love taunt me
Haunt me through the night?
When I know that you don't, oh want me
If you did you'd be here by my side

Somewhere, somehow
I must have hurt you deep down inside
Or why else would I be here
Suffering with the blues?

Oh-oh, why else would I be here
Suffering with the blues?

Overall Meaning

Little Willie John's song "Suffering With the Blues" appears to be a song about remorse for past actions or decisions. The opening verse seems to suggest that the singer has done something wrong to someone else, but is not sure when, where, or how this happened. The repetition of "somewhere, somehow, sometime, some place" throughout the song further highlights this confusion and lack of clarity. Despite not knowing the exact details of what he did wrong, the singer is unmistakably experiencing a heavy emotional burden. He is tormented by thoughts of the person he wronged (perhaps a lover), and desperately longs for their love and companionship. Yet he acknowledges that this is unlikely to happen, as the other person clearly does not want to be with him. In the end, the singer can only suffer alone and wonder what he did to deserve this pain.

The song is a reflection on the universal experience of guilt and regret, and the way that these emotions can haunt us even when we are not sure what we did wrong. The lyrics suggest that it is often our own actions and decisions that lead us to suffer, and that we must learn to take responsibility for our mistakes if we hope to move past them. The bluesy, melancholic melody of the song reinforces this sense of deep introspection and sadness.

Line by Line Meaning

Somewhere, somehow
At some point in time and place

Sometime, some place
In a certain time and location

I did someone wrong
I did something hurtful or offensive to another person

And now I'm suffering with the blues
As a result, I am feeling sad and regretful

Don't know just where
I am uncertain of the specific circumstances

Or why, or how
I don't understand the reasons or causes

I must have been wrong
I acknowledge that I have made a mistake

'Cause now I'm suffering with the blues
And it has led to my current state of sadness

Why does your love taunt me
I feel tormented by your affection

Haunt me through the night?
It occupies my thoughts and worries me at night

When I know that you don't, oh want me
I am aware that you do not have feelings for me