Humphreys County, Mississippi - d. 31 January 1980) was a pioneer rockabilly singer and guitar player.
Smith was born to Ioda and Willie Warren Smith, who divorced when he was young. He was raised by his maternal grandparents in Louise, Mississippi where they had a small farm and dry goods store.
Smith took up the guitar to while away his evenings while in the United States Air Force stationed in San Antonio, Tx. By the time of his discharge from the service, he had decided to make a career of music. He moved to West Memphis, Arkansas and auditioned, successfully, to play the Cotton Club, a local hot spot. Steel guitarist Stan Kessler, who was playing at that nightclub with the Snearly Ranch Boys, immediately spotted Smith's potential and took him to Memphis' famed Sun Records, to audition for Sam Phillips with the Snearly Ranch Boys providing backup.
Phillips liked what he heard, and decided that "Rock & Roll Ruby", a song credited to Johnny Cash, would be Smith's first record. (Smith later claimed that "Rock & Roll Ruby" was actually written by George Jones and sold to Cash for $40.) Smith recorded that rock & roll classic on February 5, 1956. Phillips, who was hedging his bets over whether rock & roll would maintain its popularity, released that record with a country crooner, aptly named "I'd Rather Be Safe Than Sorry", on the flip side. By May 26, "Rock & Roll Ruby" had hit number 1 on the local pop charts. Smith's first record for Sun went on to outsell the first Sun releases by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.
In August 1956, Smith went back to the Sun Records studio to record his second release "Ubangi Stomp". This infectious rocker had a politically incorrect lyric including an African chief with the syntax of a movie Indian. For the B side, Smith recorded the classic ballad "Black Jack David". This song, which originated in early eighteenth century Britain and survived in various forms, in the mountains of the American south, may be the oldest song ever recorded by a rock & roll performer. Although a resounding artistic success, this record did not sell as well as Smith's debut.
Although Smith continued to make great rockabilly records for Sun, including a rocking cover version of Slim Harpo's "Got Love If Your Want It" (recorded in October 1957), these records did not do well commercially. Toward the end of 1958, Smith, seeing his future in country music, cut a final record for Sun, a cover version of Don Gibson's "Sweet Sweet Girl". In spite of a review in Billboard magazine calling it "ultra commercial" (high praise from a music business publication), this record also failed to sell. Smith decided to leave Sun Records.
In 1959, Smith and his wife and son moved from Mississippi to California, settling in Sherman Oaks, not far from Johnny and Vivian Cash. Cash offered Smith a spot on his show, but Smith turned it down, seeing himself as a headliner, not a supporting player. In early 1960, Smith signed with Liberty records, and immediately scored a hit with "I Don't Believe I'll Fall in Love Today", which went to #5 on Billboard's Country & Western chart. This record, and Smith's subsequent records, was produced by Joe Allison, and featured one of California's best country session musicians, Ralph Mooney, on pedal steel guitar. Smith scored again with his next record for Liberty, "Odds and Ends, Bits and Pieces", written by Harlan Howard. Liberty had Smith record several more tracks, mostly cover versions of recent country hits, to flesh out an album called "The First Country Collection of Warren Smith".
Smith continued to record with some success for Liberty, and to tour with his band, from 1960 - 1965. On August 17, 1965, Smith, had a serious car accident in LaGrange, Texas, suffering serious back injuries, from which it took him nearly a year to recover. By this time, his contract with Liberty had lapsed. Smith made several attempts to restart his career, first with a small, virtually amateur label called Skill records, then for Mercury Records, but, sadly, difficulties with addictions to pills and alcohol held him back. Eventually, Smith's drug problems led to an 18-month term in an Alabama prison for robbing a pharmacy.
After his release from prison, Smith continued to struggle to restart his career. In the late 1970s, he got a bit of a boost from the rockabilly revival then occurring. He was invited, in 1977, to appear at London's Rainbow Theatre, on a bill featuring Charlie Feathers, Buddy Knox and Jack Scott. To his shock, Smith was received in London with standing ovations. His reception in England boosted his spirits and, upon his return to the U.S., he began to perform with newfound vigor. In November 1978, Smith and fellow Sun alumnus Ray Smith toured Europe, again to great success.
In 1980, while preparing for another European tour, Smith died of a heart attack at 47 years of age.
Warren Smith's contribution to the rockabilly music has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Tee other Warren Smith :
The virtuoso percussionist, Warren Smith (b. 14 May 1934, Chicago, Illinois) has worked with diverse artists as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Sam Rivers, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, Bill Cole and Harry Partch, and he was a founding member, along with Max Roach, of the percussion group, M'Boom.
So Long I'm Gone
Warren Smith Lyrics
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I don't even remember the number on your door
I don't need you any longer, I don't want your devil's charm
So go and cry your heart out, In your other lover's arm
So long, I'm gone, you won't forget me
I hope you recall all of our fun
So long, be sweet and remember
When you want me back, think of what you've done
You've lost a guy who loved you, don't say I didn't try
This time I'm gone forever, I've said my last goodbye
So long, I'm gone, you won't forget me
I hope you recall all of our fun, so long, be sweet and remember
When you want me back, think of what you've done
The song "So Long I'm Gone" is a classic break-up song where the singer has decided he has had enough of a toxic relationship and is finally leaving. He is very clear about his intentions and emotions as he sings about how he has called the person for the last time and won't hang around anymore. He is done with her devil's charm and doesn't want her anymore. He hopes that she would cry her heart out in her other lover's arm and remember all of the good times they shared.
The lyrics of the song indicate that the singer has tried his best, but the relationship just didn't work out. He is heartbroken but firm in his decision, and he doesn't want the person to forget him. He wants her to remember him if and when she wants him back, and to think of what she has done. This is a classic country song motif where the singer illustrates the emotional depth of failed love and decisiveness to leave the relationship.
The song's structure is relatively simple, with a few verses repeated between each chorus. The overall melody and guitar work are typical of country music, with a catchy tune and simple chord progressions that allow the lyrics to take center stage. It's a straightforward but effective song that conveys the raw emotion of a failed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I called you for the last time, I won't hang around no more
I have reached the end of my patience and will not call you again.
I don't even remember the number on your door
I have moved on and no longer even remember where you live.
I don't need you any longer, I don't want your devil's charm
I have realized that your love was toxic and don't want it anymore.
So go and cry your heart out, In your other lover's arm
I know you will be hurt by my departure, but you will have to find comfort in someone else's arms.
So long, I'm gone, you won't forget me
I am leaving and you will remember me always.
I hope you recall all of our fun
I hope you remember the good times we had together.
So long, be sweet and remember
I am leaving, but I still wish you well.
When you want me back, think of what you've done
If you ever regret losing me, remember the mistakes you made and the hurt you caused.
You've lost a guy who loved you, don't say I didn't try
I loved you deeply, but you didn't appreciate it and now it's too late.
This time I'm gone forever, I've said my last goodbye
I am leaving and this time it's for good. I won't be back.
Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.