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.
I've Got Love If You Want It
Slim Harpo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got love if you want it, babe
Got love if you want it
Got your love if you want it
Got love it you want it
We can rock awhile
We can rock awhile
Quit teasin' me, baby
Quit teasin' me, baby
A-wit' yo' fine bone frame
Wit' yo' fine bone frame
If you let me love you, baby
I'll be yo' lovin' man
I'll be yo' lovin' man
Now, here you come, baby
Now, here you come, baby
A-wit' ya head hung down
A-wit' ya head hung down
I know ya been followin'
The talks all over town
The talks all over town
Now, the next-do' neighbor
Now, the next-do' neighbor
Peepin' through the blinds
Peepin' through the blinds
Don't worry, nobody
That's all, they spyin'
That's all, they spyin'
I love you, little woman
I love you, little woman
Better than I do myself
Better than I do myself
But you mistreat me, baby
For someone else
For someone else
For someone else
For someone else
For someone else
For someone else
The song "I Got Love If You Want It" by Slim Harpo is a classic R&B love song that captures the essence of a man who is passionately in love and willing to do whatever it takes to be with his lover. The lyrics are straightforward and simple, yet they convey a deep emotional message that speaks to the heart.
The opening lines of the song, "Got love if you want it, babe" are an invitation to the lover to come and experience the overflowing love that the singer has. He repeats this line several times to emphasize his point and show how much he desires his lover. The next lines, "We can rock a while" are an indication that the singer is in the mood to dance and have a good time with his lover.
The verse that follows, "Quit teasin' me, baby, wit' yo' fine bone frame" is an indication that the singer is attracted to his lover's physique and is urging her not to play games with him. He wants her to give in to his advances and reciprocate his love for her. The chorus comes in again, indicating that the singer got love if his lover wants it.
In the succeeding verse, the singer notes that his lover has been following the talk all over town, and he assures her not to worry about the neighbors who are spying. He then reiterates his deep love for her, stating that he loves her more than he does himself. But he laments that she mistreats him for someone else.
Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of romantic love that transcends time and generations. It has a catchy beat, and the lyrics are easy to sing along, making it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Got love if you want it, babe
I am capable of giving you love if you desire it, my dear
Got love if you want it
I have the capacity to give you affection whenever you may need it
Got your love if you want it
I have reserved my love for you only; you have the option to receive it
We can rock awhile
We can spend some quality time together, having fun and enjoying each other's company
Quit teasin' me, baby
Please stop teasing me, my dear, and be honest about your intentions
A-wit' yo' fine bone frame
Your well-built physique is captivating me and making it hard for me to resist you
If you let me love you, baby
If you grant me permission to show you affection, I will be your devoted partner
I'll be yo' lovin' man
I will dedicate myself to loving and caring for you, my dear
Now, here you come, baby
I see that you have finally decided to join me, my dear
A-wit' ya head hung down
You seem to be feeling down and sad as you approach me
I know ya been followin'
I understand that you have been tracking my activities and whereabouts
The talks all over town
People in the neighborhood are gossiping and discussing us behind our backs
Now, the next-do' neighbor
Our neighbor from the house next door
Peepin' through the blinds
Watching us secretly from behind the curtains
That's all, they spyin'
We do not have to worry about them; they are just spying on us
I love you, little woman
My feelings for you are strong and deep; you are the most important person to me
Better than I do myself
My love for you exceeds even the love I have for myself
But you mistreat me, baby
Unfortunately, you have not always treated me well, my dear
For someone else
You have devoted your love and attention to another person instead of me
For someone else
Your actions and behavior show that you have chosen to give your love to someone else
For someone else
You have left me behind and decided to give your affection to another person
For someone else
My love for you remains, even though you have chosen another person to be with
For someone else
I am heartbroken that you have chosen someone else over me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind