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.
Talk To Me
Little Willie John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunny and the Sunglows
Talk to me
Talk to me
Ooo I love the things you say
Talk to me
Talk to me
Sweet gentle way
Let me hear
Tell me dear
Tell me oooo
You love me so
Talk to me
Talk to me
Tell me what
I want to know
The many ways
You speak of love
I've heard before
But it sounds so good
Everytime
Please say the one part
I love once more
Talk to me
Talk to me
Hold me close
Whisper low
Talk to me
Baby can't you see
Oh darlin I
I love you so
The song "Talk to Me" by Little Willie John is a soulful ballad that expresses the need for communication and connection in love. The lyrics of the song express the desire and longing to hear reassuring words from a loved one. The song begins with a request to "talk to me" followed by the recognition of the lovable things said by the person to whom the singer is speaking. It portrays love as a two-way street and emphasizes the importance of hearing affirmations of love. The song also depicts love as being sweet, gentle, and tender. The singer wants to be held close and whispered to so that he can feel the fullness of the love that he desires.
Furthermore, the song expresses the longing for the reassurance of love through communication. The singer wants his loved one to tell him that they love him and to do so in a way that only they can. He wants to hear it over and over again, as it never gets old. The song emphasizes the idea that love is about communication, and without it, one cannot feel secure in their relationship. In this sense, the song reflects on the universal theme of love and the insecurities that arise in relationships when it comes to communication.
Line by Line Meaning
Talk to me
Please, communicate with me
Talk to me
Please, continue to communicate with me
Ooo I love the things you say
I adore everything you express
Talk to me
Please, communicate with me
Talk to me
Please, continue to communicate with me
In your own
In your particular
Sweet gentle way
With your tender and mild manner
Let me hear
Allow me to listen
Tell me dear
Share with me, my love
Tell me oooo
Please tell me
You love me so
You cherish me immensely
Talk to me
Please, communicate with me
Talk to me
Please, continue to communicate with me
Tell me what
Share with me what
I want to know
I'm eager to learn
The many ways
The variety of methods
You speak of love
You express your affection
I've heard before
I know already
But it sounds so good
But it's so pleasing to hear
Everytime
On every occasion
Please say the one part
Please repeat the specific part
I love once more
That I adore hearing again
Talk to me
Please, communicate with me
Talk to me
Please, continue to communicate with me
Hold me close
Embrace me intimately
Whisper low
Speak softly
Talk to me
Please, communicate with me
Baby can't you see
My dear, don't you realize
Oh darlin I
Oh my love, I
I love you so
Adore you deeply
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOE SENECA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wayne beauchamp
I was 10 when this song came out. I can listen to it and just float away. Dating at 16 it was my theme song. I'm 72 now and wrote this while floating off in beautiful memories when I was 16. RIP Mr Willie John
5856LetsGo 5856LetsGo
I was 9 (I'm 71 now). It was my Aunt's favorite song. We'd go to her house on the weekends to go swimming. She would make a big pot of chicken noodle soup with big thick noodles, singing all the while, as she blasted this song on repeat. We would swim until we were shriveled up like prunes, then rush in to get warmed up with that delicious soup. Sure brings awesome memories / feelings (life was so simple then!)
Dorothy Curtis
I can too I'll listen to this song here over and over again I remember my mother and father used to listen to this song this is one beautiful song enjoy because I do
David Newlove
Thanks for sharing such beautiful memories.
Dorothy Curtis
Yes I remember this song when I was a little girl I enjoy I play it all the time have a wonderful life
David Mason
Soulful, pleading voice.
Rudy Ozuna
My father rerecorded this awesome song in 1963 at the age of 19 and took him all the way to Dick Clark's American Band Stand selling 5 1/2 million copies and #1 on billboards chart for several weeks...Willie was awesome...RIP
Garwin Wayne
Your pops was Sunny of the Sunglows if i'm correct??
Barbara English
I was 17 when I first heard this perfect song. Iβm 75 now and I get the same thrill closing my eyes and letting this song and Willy take me wherever theyβre going. Iβm going to be very upset if I canβt hear this when I get to heaven.
Mark Connors
Your dad's rendition was the first one I heard on Oldies radio back in the day. Such a killer version, along with many other songs your dad recorded.