Steve Miller (born 5 October 1943) is a blues and rock and roll guitarist and performer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but attended high school in Dallas. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, he formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught one of his classmates, Royce Boz Scaggs, a few guitar chords so that he could join the band; Scaggs became better known by his nickname, Boz. Miller attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1960s, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year. Ben Sidran was added to the Ardells as a keyboardist the following year.
In 1968, Miller formed the Steve Miller Band, with Scaggs handling vocals, and released an album, Children of the Future, the first in a series of discs rooted solidly in the psychedelic blues style that dominated the San Francisco music scene at the time. Scaggs would leave the band after a couple of albums with vocal chores taken over by drummer Tim Davis; Miller himself would begin singing occasional lead on 1969's Brave New World. These albums performed respectably on the album charts but failed to yield a hit.
In the 1970's the band had some hits that became classics over the years - Jet Airliner, with some evocative lyrics that brought home the loss of life on the road; and The Joker which includes the famous line about the "pompatus of love", which is of course nonsense, but that didn't stop a lot of stoned folks from spending years talking amongst themselves.
Steve Miller's father was a wealthy doctor in Dallas, and friends with famous guitarist and guitar designer Les Paul. Les Paul gave Miller his first guitar lessons.
Longtime member Norton Buffalo (harmonica player) died from lung cancer on October 30, 2009.
John King (drummer during "The Joker" era) died after a short bout of kidney cancer on October 26, 2010.
Band-member James Cooke died from cancer on 16 May 2011.
Fannie Mae
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
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I know, my baby told me so
Yes, I know, my baby told me so
She said I'm leavin' you, daddy
Got such a long way to go
Well, I can hear your {??} ringin', baby all down that line
And when I hear your {??} ringin'
I know you're not far behind
Fanny Mae, baby won't you please come home
Now I'm so tired livin' all alone
The lyrics in "Fannie Mae" by Steve Miller Band tell a story of heartbreak and longing for a lost love. In the first few lines, the singer acknowledges that their partner has told them they are leaving. The repetition of "I know, my baby told me so" emphasizes the certainty and acceptance of the situation. The partner expresses that they have a long journey ahead of them, implying that the relationship is over and they need to move on.
The mention of hearing something ringing down the line suggests a metaphorical connection or communication between the singer and their departed lover. The ringing could symbolize a sense of longing or a communication that transcends physical distance. This imagery adds a layer of depth to the emotional landscape of the song, depicting a sense of longing and awareness of the partner's presence even when physically apart.
The reference to "Fannie Mae" in the lyrics could be interpreted as a plea for the partner to come back home. Fannie Mae is often used as a symbol for a loved one or a significant other in old blues and rock songs. The singer's plea for Fannie Mae to come back suggests a desire to reunite and end the loneliness of living alone. The repetition of the request "Fannie Mae, baby won't you please come home" highlights the singer's yearning for reconciliation and companionship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Fannie Mae" convey a sense of loss, longing, and a plea for reconciliation. The singer's emotional journey is portrayed through vivid imagery and evocative language, capturing the pain of heartbreak and the hope for a reunion with a lost love. The song's soulful delivery and blues-inspired melodies further enhance the emotional depth of the lyrics, creating a poignant narrative of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I know, my baby told me so
I am aware of what my partner has communicated to me
She said I'm leavin' you, daddy, Got such a long way to go
She mentioned that she is ending the relationship with me and has a journey ahead
Well, I can hear your {??} ringin', baby all down that line
I can feel your presence and connection to me through the distance
And when I hear your {??} ringin', I know you're not far behind
Upon sensing your presence, I understand that you are close by
Fanny Mae, baby won't you please come home
Fanny Mae, I am longing for your return home
Now I'm so tired livin' all alone
Living in solitude has left me feeling exhausted
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Clarence L Lewis, Morris Levy, Waymon Glasco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind