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.
Raining In My Heart
Slim Harpo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since we've been apart
I know I was wrong
Baby, please come home
You got me cryin'
'Bout to lose my mind
Don't let me cry in vain
Honey, I need your love
Darlin', you know why
If you would come back home
There'll be no need for me to cry
Raining in my heart
Since we been apart
I know I was wrong
Baby, please come home
The "Rainin' in My Heart" by Slim Harpo is a song about the sorrow and desperation of a man who misses his lover, who left him. The man acknowledges that he was wrong and pleads for his lover to come back to him. As the title suggests, it is raining in his heart, and his heartbreak is overwhelming, causing him to cry and almost lose his mind.
The artist uses repetition to emphasize the emotional pain that the man feels, who can't stop thinking about his lover. The lyrics express a deep sense of remorse and regret for the mistakes he has made that led to the end of their relationship. The man is admitting his wrongdoings and asking for a second chance, hoping that his lover will forgive him and come back.
In conclusion, the song portrays the desperation of a man who can't cope with the heartbreak of losing his lover. The song communicates the message that sometimes we realize the true value of something, only when it is gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Rainin' in my heart
Feeling sad and lonely without you
Since we've been apart
Ever since we separated
I know I was wrong
I realize my mistake
Baby, please come home
I want you to return back to me
You got me cryin'
You make me weep
'Bout to lose my mind
I'm on the verge of going insane
Don't let me cry in vain
Please don't make me shed tears for nothing
Try my love just once, again
Give me another chance to prove my love
Honey, I need your love
My love for you is strong and vital
Darlin', you know why
You are aware of the reason why
If you would come back home
If you decide to return to me
There'll be no need for me to cry
I wouldn't have to weep anymore
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES MOORE, JERRY WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Михаил Сергопольцев
Rainin' in my heart
Since we've been apart
I know I was wrong
Baby, please come home
You got me cryin'
'Bout to lose my mind
Don't let me cry in vain
Try my love just once, again
Honey, I need your love
Darlin', you know why
If you would come back home
They'll be no need for me to cry
Raining in my heart
Since we been apart
I know I was wrong
Baby, please come home
budabobnu
My first time to ever hear Slim Harpo. So good. It won't be my last time hearing him.
Elizabeth Austin
Seriously? He's super awesome. I love his music
countrypaul
Slim Harpo proved you don't have to scream to have soul. The real deal!
Tom Beech
We don't have good music like that anymore. Him and Jimmy Reed .
Truth_ isBeauty
The best version by far - Slim's harmonica rocks it.
Renée Matte
Thanks Slim Harpo for all this Love in Music 🎼🎸🎹💖🥁
GothikGem
In my opinion, this is the best Slim Harpo version I have heard.....sweet ♡
Pete Rodriguez
This is Real music 👌
David Sandler
I remember KDIA in Oakland. When I was a little kid living outside Boston I listened to WILD radio, rhythm and blues in Saugus, MA.
Danny Reid
Love this song, great music