Memphis Slim (3 September, 1915 in Memphis, Tennessee – 24 February, 1988 i… Read Full Bio ↴Memphis Slim (3 September, 1915 in Memphis, Tennessee – 24 February, 1988 in Paris, France) was a blues pianist and singer. His birth name was John Len Chatman although he himself claimed to be born Peter Chatman (the name he gave himself in honour of his father Peter Chatman Sr. when he first recorded for Okeh in 1940). He composed the blues standards "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "Mother Earth". Memphis Slim got his start playing the blues at the Midway Café, at 357 Beale Street (southeast corner of Fourth and Beale Streets) in Memphis in 1931. Two years before his death, Memphis Slim was named a Commander in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of France. Memphis Slim died on 24 February, 1988 in Paris, France at the age of 72. During his lifetime, he cut over 500 recordings and influenced blues pianists that followed him for decades.

I Believe I'll Settle Down
Memphis Slim Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I believe I'll marry, I believe I'll settle down
I believe I'll marry, I believe I'll settle down
Lord, I'm tired of bein' a rambler, my last trip for runnin' around
Lord, I wonder, will she ever call my name?
Lord, I wonder, will she ever call my name?
Now she don't love me no mo', peoples ain't that a cryin' shame?
They tell me marriage is a sweet life, I believe I'll try myself
They tell me marriage is a sweet life, I believe I'll try myself

If I can't get the one I love, I won't take a chance with no one else
Lord, I wonder, will she ever think of me?

Lord, I wonder, will she ever think of me?
I'm sittin' with my head bendin' down, and tears fallin' on my knees

Overall Meaning

In the song "I Believe I'll Settle Down" by Memphis Slim, the singer is expressing his desire to leave behind his wandering ways and settle down with a woman he loves. He is tired of living the life of a traveler and wants to embrace a more stable and domestic lifestyle. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and uncertainty as the singer wonders if the woman he loves will ever reciprocate his feelings and call out his name. He laments the fact that she no longer loves him and feels the pain, wondering if she will ever think of him.

The song also explores the theme of marriage and the idea that it can be a sweet life. However, the singer is hesitant to commit to anyone else if he can't have the one he loves. He prefers to wait for her rather than taking a chance with someone else. The emotions expressed in the lyrics are raw and poignant, conveying the singer's yearning for love and stability.

Line by Line Meaning

I believe I'll marry, I believe I'll settle down
I am considering settling down and getting married.

Lord, I'm tired of bein' a rambler, my last trip for runnin' around
I am tired of traveling and wandering around.

Lord, I wonder, will she ever call my name?
I am wondering if the woman I love will ever call my name.

Now she don't love me no mo', peoples ain't that a cryin' shame?
It is sad and unfortunate that the woman I love no longer loves me.

They tell me marriage is a sweet life, I believe I'll try myself
I have been informed that marriage can be a wonderful thing, so I am considering it.

If I can't get the one I love, I won't take a chance with no one else
If I cannot be with the woman I love, I am not interested in pursuing anyone else.

Lord, I wonder, will she ever think of me?
I am wondering if the woman I love thinks about me.

I'm sittin' with my head bendin' down, and tears fallin' on my knees
I am sitting with my head bowed and tears falling on my knees, likely due to heartbreak and longing for the woman I love.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER CHATMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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