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.
One More Day
Slim Harpo Lyrics
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One mo' day I been alone
One mo' day
One mo' day I been alone
Got a letter from my baby
Sayin' she's on her way back home
Why don't ya call me, baby
Why don't ya call me, baby
Sayin' you bringin' yo' clothes back home?
You know I'm crazy 'bout you, baby
But you been gone away too long
Slim Harpo's song "One More Day" is a classic blues tune that speaks to the pain of being alone and the joy of being reunited with a loved one. The song's opening lines, "One mo' day, one mo' day I been alone, got a letter from my baby sayin' she's on her way back home" set the stage for a tale of love lost and found. The repetition of "one mo' day" emphasizes the singer's longing for his partner's return and the hope that he will not have to spend another day without her.
The lyrics also speak to the frustration and confusion of being left behind. When he asks "Why don't ya call me, baby, sayin' you bringin' yo' clothes back home?" he is expressing his hurt at not being kept in the loop about his lover's plans. He is also expressing his desire for her to come back to him and his willingness to forgive her for leaving. The line, "you know I'm crazy 'bout you, baby, but you been gone away too long" showcases the singer's true feelings for his partner and acknowledges the problems that arise when two people are separated for an extended period.
Overall, "One More Day" is a song of hope and reconciliation. It highlights the struggles of being apart from a loved one and the joy of finally being reunited. The song's bittersweet nature is what makes it such a classic blues tune.
Line by Line Meaning
One mo' day
Another day has passed
One mo' day I been alone
I have been alone for one more day
One mo' day
One more day has gone by
One mo' day I been alone
I have continued to be alone for another day
Got a letter from my baby
Received a letter from my significant other
Sayin' she's on her way back home
The letter states that she is returning home
Why don't ya call me, baby
Why haven't you called me?
Sayin' you bringin' yo' clothes back home?
Are you bringing your belongings back home?
Why don't ya call me, baby
I wish you would call me
Sayin' you bringin' yo' clothes back home?
I hope you're bringing your things back with you
You know I'm crazy 'bout you, baby
You know how much I love you
But you been gone away too long
You've been away for too much time
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Jerry West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind