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.
Late Last Night
Slim Harpo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Layin' down in my bed, alone
Late last night
Layin' down in my bed, alone
Well, I was thinkin' 'bout my baby
Why she wan' do me wrong
I walked all night
I walked all night
Baby, out in the cold and rain
Well, when I found my baby
While makin' love to some other man
Ooh, but she hurt me so bad!
(guitar & instrumental)
Do you love me, baby?
Darlin', right now is the time
Do you love me, baby?
Darlin', right now is the time
You know, ya only one, baby
Darlin', can ease my worried mind.
(harmonica & instrumental to end)
~
The lyrics to Slim Harpo's "Late Last Night" tells the story of a man who is alone in bed, thinking about his woman who has done him wrong. He continues to reminisce about the past love he shared with her and questions why she would hurt him so badly. The chorus mentions that he has spent the night walking in the cold rain and eventually finds her in bed with another man. He confronts her but the pain he feels is evident in his voice. The song ends with him pleading with his woman to love him again and help ease his troubled mind.
The lyrics of this song capture the emotion of heartbreak and betrayal. The use of repetition throughout the song, particularly in the chorus, emphasizes the pain and loneliness that the singer is experiencing. This theme is further reinforced by the slow and steady tempo of the song, which creates a melancholic atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Late last night
Slim Harpo narrates the events of the previous night
Layin' down in my bed, alone
The singer was in bed, but without his lover
Well, I was thinkin' 'bout my baby
Slim Harpo was thinking about his lover
Why she wan' do me wrong
He was wondering why she betrayed him
I walked all night
Slim Harpo was wandering around aimlessly all night long
Baby, out in the cold and rain
He was outside in the cold, wet weather
Well, when I found my baby
The singer found his lover
While makin' love to some other man
but she was cheating on him with another man
Ooh, but she hurt me so bad!
Slim Harpo expresses the emotional pain caused by his lover's betrayal
Do you love me, baby?
The singer addresses his lover and asks her if she loves him
Darlin', right now is the time
He tells her that it's time to answer his question
You know, ya only one, baby
He reminds his lover that she's the only woman in his life
Darlin', can ease my worried mind.
He asks her to comfort him and ease his troubled mind
Contributed by Aiden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.