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.
You Hurt Me
Little Willie John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That we were through
And all the time, I thought
That your love was true
[Chorus:]
You me, you hurt me so
You know you hurt me
You always told me
We'd never, ever part
But now you turn around
And break my loving heart
[Chorus]
I'm begging, please come back to me!
A life is now at stake
And if you don't soon return
You're gonna drive me to my grave
[Chorus]
I'm begging, please come back to me!
A life is now at stake
If you don't soon return
You're gonna drive me to my grave
[Chorus]
Ooh, you hurt me
You hurt me
You hurt me so
Little Willie John's song, "You Hurt Me," is a reflection on love and its aftermath. The song begins with the singer recalling the end of his relationship, where he was led to believe that his lover's love was true. The chorus speaks to his pain and sadness; he repeats that he's been hurt so much by her leaving. The verses convey the irony of the situation - where Little Willie John was told they would never part, only to be left alone with a broken heart.
The song's message is clear: love can be deceiving and its consequences can be cruel. The singer is left with a profound sense of loss and desperation, begging his ex-lover to return. The final lines of the song, "you hurt me so," underscores his anguish and the depth of his loss.
Little Willie John expertly conveys the complexities of love and heartbreak in "You Hurt Me." His powerful performance, combined with the song's lyrics, has made it a classic staple of the soul and R&B music genres.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night you told me
You spoke to me last night
That we were through
You ended our relationship
And all the time, I thought
I believed all along
That your love was true
That your love for me was genuine
[Chorus:]
Refrain
You me, you hurt me so
You caused me immense pain
You know you hurt me
You are aware of the pain you've caused
When you let me go
When you broke up with me
You always told me
You repeatedly assured me
We'd never, ever part
We would always stay together
But now you turn around
But you've changed your mind suddenly
And break my loving heart
And shattered my affectionate heart
[Chorus]
Refrain
I'm begging, please come back to me!
I'm pleading for you to return
A life is now at stake
My existence is in danger
And if you don't soon return
If you don't come back quickly
You're gonna drive me to my grave
You will lead me to my death
[Chorus]
Refrain
Ooh, you hurt me
You caused me pain
You hurt me
You caused me pain
You hurt me so
You caused me a lot of pain
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DARLYNN BONNER JOHN, JOHN JR. MERTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
giro manuele
Little Willie John can not day enough of this master of R&B love every thing about his Rock and Roll demeanor
Zeph100
His voice has that power and tone of Nina's. Sends a shiver.....
MALZZZZification
@GravityLee Straight from Africa man.
arjanvanwijnen
Masterpiece, pure soul
ws3423
amen, what a powerful voice!
Pasty Alexander
I love this song
Cranky Shay
What a good treat to get a chance to hear one of the greatest singers of all times very awesome singer I appreciate what he shared with us all. And he's is missed resting until they call him and Mr John my brother will answer 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
Eloise Rosas
This song makes it all so real.
Lori Romano
This young man sounds like a bitter old man singing the BLUES. OLD SOUL I guess. Fantastic blues singer.
Joyce Rosic Smith
Born with the blues in 1937,died in prison in 1968--he was 31 years old..