Jordan was one of the first black recording artists whose popularity crossed over into the mainstream white audience and who scored hits on both the "race" charts and the mainstream white pop charts. He is now acknowledged as one of the most successful African-American musicians of the 20th century, ranking fifth in the list of the all-time most successful black recording artists.
Jordan scored at least four million-selling hits during his career, regularly topping the "race" charts, as well as scoring simultaneous Top Ten hits on the white pop charts on several occasions. Many of the songs he wrote or co-wrote have become 20th century popular music classics.
With his dynamic Tympany Five bands (which also pioneered the use of electric guitar and electric organ) Jordan largely mapped out the main parameters of the classic R&B, urban blues and early rock'n'roll genres with a series of hugely influential 78 rpm discs for the Decca label that presaged virtually all of the dominant black music styles of the 1950s and 1960s and which exerted a huge influence on many leading performers in these genres.
Run Joe
Louis Jordan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey)
Joey, Joey, Joey, Joey, Joey
(Joey, Joey, Joey, Joey, Joey)
*Eh, come in, fool boy, eh-eh, the police mon is on the premises!
*What is he doing in here?
Mo and Joe had a candy store
Cop grabbed Mo and as Joe ran out
Brother Mo then began to shout
(Run Joe!) Eh, de man at de door
(Run Joe!) He man won't let me go
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
(Run Joe!) Police holding me han'
(Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey)
(Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey)
Ask Juanita to stand me bail
Don't want to sleep in this rotten jail
Hide de crystal ball by de fence
So dey won't find no evidence
When you reach home, get in de bed
Call a doctor and tie your head
Let Juanita invent a lie
Got to have a good alibi
(Run Joe!) Eh, de man at de door
(Run Joe!) De man won't let me go
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
(Run Joe!) De police holdin' me han'
(Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey)
Get a mouthpiece to talk for me
They'll sure give me de third degree
When dey take me before de sarge
I am going to deny de charge
When de judge ask me how I plead
"Not guilty, sir, most decidedly
You can see, Judge, at a glance
I'm a victim of circumstance."
(Run Joe!) Eh, man at de door
(Run Joe!) De man won't let me go
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
(Run Joe!) De police holdin' me han'
(J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey)
(Joey, Joey, Loey, Joey, Joey)
I'll be home by de break of day
If de judge believe what I say
If he don't I'll be lookin' cute
Behind de bars with me striped suit
(Run Joe!) Eh, de man at de door
(Run Joe!) De man 'e won't let me go
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
(Run Joe!) De police holdin' me han'
(Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey)
(Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey)
Me mama told me not long ago
To keep 'way from that worthless Joe
If I heard what me momma say
I wouldn't be in this mess today
(Run Joe!) Eh, de man at de door
(Run Joe!) De man won't let me go
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
(Run Joe!) De police holdin' me han'
Don't you hear what I told you? (Run Joe!)
I don't want you in school (Run Joe!)
Don't let de policeman hold you (Run Joe!)
Di'nt your mamma done told you? (Run Joe!)
Hey, de policeman catching up with Joe
Joe run too slow, Joe
The song "Run Joe" by Louis Jordan tells the story of two brothers, Mo and Joe, who run a candy store and offer fortune-telling services behind a door. One day, the police come to the store and catch Mo, while Joe manages to escape. The song follows Joe as he runs from the police and tries to clear his name. He seeks help from a girl named Juanita to bail him out and come up with an alibi. Joe plans to deny the charges and plead not guilty, claiming he is a victim of circumstance. The song ends with the police catching up to Joe, who is unable to outrun them.
The song is a commentary on the racial inequality and police brutality prevalent in the US during the time it was released in the late 1940s. The lyrics suggest that Joe is being unfairly targeted and chased by the police, and that he must take desperate measures to clear his name. The song also highlights the theme of brotherly loyalty, as Mo shouts to Joe to run as fast as he can when the police arrive.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was covered by a number of artists over the years, including The Rolling Stones, who recorded a version of it in 1964. Another interesting fact is that Louis Jordan, the original artist, was known as the "King of the Jukebox" and was one of the most successful African-American musicians of the 1930s and '40s. He was a major influence on the development of R&B and rock and roll music.
Line by Line Meaning
Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey
Addressing someone named Loey with urgency.
(Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey)
Repeating the address to Loey.
Joey, Joey, Joey, Joey, Joey
Addressing someone named Joey with urgency.
(Joey, Joey, Joey, Joey, Joey)
Repeating the address to Joey.
*Eh, come in, fool boy, eh-eh, the police mon is on the premises!
Alerting someone that the police are around.
*What is he doing in here?
Asking about the presence of the police officer.
Mo and Joe had a candy store
Setting the scene to Mo and Joe's candy store.
Telling fortune behind a door
Informing the listener that Mo and Joe also told fortunes in secret.
Cop grabbed Mo and as Joe ran out
The police officer caught Mo and Joe's partner, Joe, escaped.
Brother Mo then began to shout
Mo's brother raised his voice at the police officer.
(Run Joe!) Eh, de man at de door
Urging Joe to run from the police officer.
(Run Joe!) He man won't let me go
Stating the reason why Joe should run.
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
Encouraging Joe to run as fast as possible.
(Run Joe!) Police holding me han'
Explaining the situation that Joe needs to run from.
(Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey)
Repeating the address to Loey.
(Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey, Loey)
Repeating the address to Loey.
Ask Juanita to stand me bail
Asking Juanita to bail Mo out.
Don't want to sleep in this rotten jail
Stating Mo's aversion to sleeping in jail.
Hide de crystal ball by de fence
Instructing Joe to hide the crystal ball in a safe place.
So dey won't find no evidence
Explaining why the crystal ball needs to be hidden.
When you reach home, get in de bed
Instructing Joe to go straight to bed after hiding the evidence.
Call a doctor and tie your head
Suggesting that Joe should seek medical help.
Let Juanita invent a lie
Advising Juanita to come up with a good excuse for Joe.
Got to have a good alibi
Explaining why it's important to have a good excuse.
(Run Joe!) Eh, de man at de door
Urging Joe to run again.
(Run Joe!) De man won't let me go
Repeating the reason why Joe needs to run.
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
Encouraging Joe to run faster.
(Run Joe!) De police holdin' me han'
Repeating the situation that Joe needs to run from.
(Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey)
Alternating between addressing Loey and Joey with urgency.
(Joey, Joey, Loey, Joey, Joey)
Alternating between addressing Loey and Joey with urgency.
Get a mouthpiece to talk for me
Advising Joe to get a lawyer to speak for him.
They'll sure give me de third degree
Explaining why Joe needs a lawyer.
When dey take me before de sarge
Anticipating being taken before the sergeant.
I am going to deny de charge
Planning to plead not guilty to the charges.
When de judge ask me how I plead
Anticipating the judge's question.
"Not guilty, sir, most decidedly
Denying the charges formally.
You can see, Judge, at a glance
Arguing that the judge can clearly see Joe's innocence.
I'm a victim of circumstance."
Explaining Joe's situation as a victim of an unfortunate circumstance.
(Run Joe!) Eh, man at de door
Urging Joe to run again for the final time.
(Run Joe!) De man won't let me go
Repeating the reason why Joe needs to run for the final time.
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
Encouraging Joe to run as fast as he can for the final time.
(Run Joe!) De police holdin' me han'
Repeating the situation that Joe needs to run from for the final time.
(Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey)
Alternating between addressing Loey and Joey with urgency.
(Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey, J/Loey)
Alternating between addressing Loey and Joey with urgency.
Me mama told me not long ago
Recalling a piece of advice from his mother.
To keep 'way from that worthless Joe
Reminding himself that he should have listened to his mother's advice about Joe.
If I heard what me momma say
Regretting not listening to his mother's advice.
I wouldn't be in this mess today
Acknowledging that he wouldn't be in trouble if he had listened to his mother.
(Run Joe!) Eh, de man at de door
Urging Joe to run one final time.
(Run Joe!) De man won't let me go
Repeating the reason why Joe needs to run one final time.
(Run Joe!) Run as fast as you can
Encouraging Joe to run as fast as he can one final time.
(Run Joe!) De police holdin' me han'
Repeating the situation that Joe needs to run from one final time.
Don't you hear what I told you? (Run Joe!)
Asking if Joe heard him.
I don't want you in school (Run Joe!)
Advising Joe to run again.
Don't let de policeman hold you (Run Joe!)
Telling Joe to avoid being held by the police officer again.
Di'nt your mamma done told you? (Run Joe!)
Reminding Joe of his mother's advice.
Hey, de policeman catching up with Joe
Announcing that the police officer is fast approaching Joe.
Joe run too slow, Joe
Informing Joe that he isn't running fast enough.
Contributed by Lila L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lisawalker8014
Many many years ago I first heard this song coming through the static of a Faraway station on AM radio at night. I was immediately hooked and eventually discovered all the work of Louis Jordan and the timpani 5. He was the brilliant, hilarious, severely underrated king of 40s jump Blues and he can pretty much do no wrong. Go listen to any song he ever did from the hilarious Open the Door Richard to the heart achingly beautiful Azure Tay(spelling undoubtedly wrong) and I'm telling you you'll be glad you did. Unless you just don't like music at all and then that's your problem.
@Blessed22b
Thanks so much for including this on U Tube. This is what makes you tool priceless. My Father who passed away decades ago used to sing this very song to my siblings and I some fifty years ago. How precious it is to find out it was actually a recording. Thank you soo much.
@nettune9980X
Rest in peace to your father.
@jackiesullivan5667
why joe?
@jackiesullivan5667
do not let me find to @ petre torque
@platopyro
we used to sing this song in primary school. it was a personal favourite, calypso boys are amazing!
@davidbarrett114
Chuck Brown was on point when remade Run Joe.RIP Chuck Brown
@lajoi1901
My granddad used to sing this to us !! We thought he made it up!
@antonioortizramos7489
Louis Jordan, one of the greatests artists of all time.
@lmckinney4303
Yes I agree with you💯