Although John Lee Williamson was a major blues star who had already released dozens of successful and widely influential records under the name Sonny Boy Williamson from 1937 onward, Aleck Miller would later claim to have been the first to use the name, and some blues scholars believe that Miller's assertion he was born in 1899 was a ruse to convince audiences he was old enough to have used the name before John Lee Williamson, who was born in 1914. Whatever the methodology, Miller became known as Sonny Boy Williamson.
Williamson had begun developing a following in Chicago beginning in 1953, when he appeared there as a member of Elmore James's band. In the 1960's he toured Europe during the height of the British blues craze, recording with The Yardbirds and The Animals. Accoring to the Led Zeppelin biography "Hammer of the Gods", while in England Sonny Boy set his hotel room on fire while trying to cook a rabbit in a coffee percolator.
Some of his hit songs include "Fattenin' Frogs for Snakes", "Don't Start Me To Talking" ,"Keep It To Yourself", "Your Funeral & My Trial", "Bye Bye Bird", "Nine Below Zero", "Help Me", and the infamous "Little Village", with dialogue deemed 'unsuitable for airplay' by Leonard Chess. His song "Eyesight To the Blind" was performed by The Who as a key song in their rock opera Tommy (the only song in that opus not written by a band member) and it was later covered on the Aerosmith album Honkin' on Bobo. His recording og "One Way Out" was reworked from the Elmore James original and became popularized by The Allman Brothers Band in the early 1970s.
Sonny Boy Williamson II has had a big influence on modern day blues and blues rock artists and other legendary artists, as is shown by the number of his songs that are still covered. In interviews given in the concert documentary film The Last Waltz, members of the rock & roll group The Band recount jamming with Miller prior to their initial fame as Bob Dylan's electric backing band, and making plans to hook up with Williamson as his backing band. Unfortunately, Williamson's death prevented any such plans from ever being fulfilled.
All My Love In Vain
Sonny Boy Williamson II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all of my love's in vain
Heart have been broken
And all my love's in vain
But the people's always told me
That woman was the glory of a man
You whip her when she need it
The judge will not let you explain
The judge will not let you explain
Because he believe in justice
and a woman is the glory of a man
I'd rather be tied out on the desert
Right out in the falling rain
Tied out on the desert
Right out in the falling rain
Than to lose my baby
She is the glory of a man
The song "All My Love in Vain" by Sonny Boy Williamson II reflects the pain of a man whose heart has been broken by an unfaithful woman. He laments that all his love has been in vain as he loved her deeply but she did not reciprocate. The lyrics suggest that the woman was the glory of a man, but despite this, she treated him badly. The man admits that he whipped her when she needed it, but the judge would not allow him to explain his actions. He further adds that he would rather be tied out on the desert in the falling rain than lose his woman who is the glory of a man.
The song has a deep meaning as it reflects the value of women in society and relations. The lyrics show that women are considered an essential part of a man's life, but at the same time, they are not treated with respect and equality. The man acknowledges that he has made mistakes, but he still values his woman and would never want to lose her. However, it is evident that the woman has already left him, and he is left to suffer in pain.
Overall the song is a reflection of the pain that love can bring and the importance of showing respect and love to the women in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart has been broken
I have suffered from emotional trauma
And all of my love's in vain
My efforts to love have been futile
Heart have been broken
My emotional state has been damaged
And all my love's in vain
My attempts to feel genuine affection have been unsuccessful
But the people's always told me
I have been advised by society
That woman was the glory of a man
Women are the prized possession of men
You whip her when she need it
You should discipline her when necessary
The judge will not let you explain
The law does not accept your justification
Whip her when she need it
It is appropriate to physically correct her actions
The judge will not let you explain
You will not be given the opportunity to present your defense
Because he believe in justice
The judge is committed to enforcing the law fairly
and a woman is the glory of a man
Women are highly valued in male-dominated societies
I'd rather be tied out on the desert
I would prefer to endure extreme hardship
Right out in the falling rain
Even if it meant being exposed to the elements
Tied out on the desert
Stranded in a desolate wilderness
Right out in the falling rain
In the midst of a heavy rainfall
Than to lose my baby
I would rather endure suffering than be separated from my lover
She is the glory of a man
My lover is my most treasured possession
Writer(s): Sonny Boy Williamson
Contributed by Aaliyah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@janbreien8410
Keep 'em coming!!! Love Sonny!!!!
@Flamursmusictv
Sonny the King
@cristinabradatel7453
I'love this music,I'love Sonny Boy!!😊❤
@ranblake3165
Sensational !
@kamikazu9167
Great tune
@pasqualinoabiuso4676
Soltanto 1900 visualizzazioni?! I can't stop hearing!
@sandersonduartedeoliveira8852
The best
@josephmoorer1964
that horn play though
@roseplatine
Fg