Born James Moore in Lobdel, Louisiana, the eldest in an orphaned family, Moore worked as a longshoreman and building worker during the late 1930s and early 1940s. One of the foremost proponents of post-war rural blues, he began performing in Baton Rouge bars under the name Harmonica Slim. He later accompanied Lightning Slim, his brother-in-law, both live and in the studio, before commencing his own recording career in 1957.
Named Slim Harpo by producer Jay Miller, the artist's solo debut coupled "I'm A King Bee" with "I Got Love If You Want It". Influenced by Jimmy Reed, he began recording for Excello and enjoyed a string of popular R&B singles which combined a drawling vocal with incisive harmonica passages. Among them were "Rainin' In My Heart" (1961), "I Love The Life I Live", "Buzzin'" (instrumental) and "Little Queen Bee" (1964). On these hits he was accompanied by understated electric backing from the regular stable of Excello musicians — including Lazy Lester, whom Harpo influenced.
The singer was known as one of the masters of the blues harmonica; the name "Slim Harpo" was a humorous takeoff on "slim harp," the popular nickname for the harmonica in blues circles.
Harpo was the point man of the 1950s Louisiana Swamp/Blues movement. Harpo, along with Lightning Slim, Lazy Lester, Lonesome Sundown, and a dozen other downhome artists recorded for A&R man J.D. Miller in Crowley, Louisiana. The records were then issued on the Excello label, based in Nashville.
Harpo's relaxed, almost lazy, performances set the tone for his subsequent work. His warm, languid voice enhanced the sexual metaphor of "I'm A King Bee", which was later recorded by the Rolling Stones. The same group also covered the pulsating "Shake Your Hips", which Harpo first issued in 1966, while the Pretty Things, the Yardbirds and Them featured versions of his songs in their early repertoires. Later, the riff from Harpo's hit "Shake Your Hips" was used in the ZZ Top hit "La Grange," and the Rolling Stones covered the song on their 1972 album, Exile On Main Street. Harpo enjoyed a notable US Top 20 pop hit in 1966 with "Baby Scratch My Back" (also a number 1 R&B hit), which revitalized his career.
Never a full-time musician, Harpo had his own trucking business during the 1960s, although he was a popular figure in the late 1960s blues revival, with appearances at several renowned venues including the Electric Circus and the Fillmore East. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack on 31 January 1970 at the age of 46, and was buried in Mulatto Bend Cemetery in Port Allen, Louisiana.
Buzz Me Babe
Slim Harpo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You buzz me babe, on your telephone
Wanna know from you baby, stayin' still goin' on
While I'm young babe, and I'm still in my prime
While I'm young babe, and I'm still in my prime
Wanna love you baby, while I still have time
(harp solo here)
When I'm old babe, and can't stand no more
I wanna hug and kiss you baby, and I think I'll let you go
In Slim Harpo's song Buzz Me Babe, the singer is addressing his lover who he is missing terribly. He expresses his desire for her companionship by saying "You buzz me babe, on your telephone", referring to how he wishes she would call him more often. He also asks her about her life, saying "Wanna know from you baby, stayin' still goin' on", implying that he wants to catch up with her and be a part of her life.
He then goes on to talk about how he is still young and in his prime, wanting to love her while he still has time. The harmonica solo in the middle represents the longing and melancholy that he feels, adding a layer of emotion to the song. The lyrics take a sad turn towards the end, with the singer acknowledging that he won't always be young and that his time is limited. He wants to make the most of the time he has, saying "When I'm old babe, and can't stand no more, I wanna hug and kiss you baby, and I think I'll let you go". The ending is bittersweet, with the singer wanting to love and hold onto his lover while he still can, but ultimately accepting the reality that time is fleeting and things change.
Line by Line Meaning
You buzz me babe, on your telephone
You contact me, babe, through your telephone
Wanna know from you baby, stayin' still goin' on
I want to hear from you, baby, what is happening
While I'm young babe, and I'm still in my prime
While I am young, baby, and at my best
Wanna love you baby, while I still have time
I want to love you, baby, while I still can
(harp solo here)
When I'm old babe, and can't stand no more
When I am old, baby, and unable to do anything
I wanna hug and kiss you baby, and I think I'll let you go
I want to embrace and kiss you, baby, before I say goodbye
Contributed by Caroline K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.