Lewis began taking piano lessons at the age of four. As a young man, Lewis played with a number of local ensembles, such as Edward Virgil Abner's Knights of Music. Lewis would eventually join a jazz group called The Clefs.
He formed The Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1956 with Eldee Young and Isaac Holt. They started as primarily a jazz unit but after their hit, "The In Crowd", in 1965 (the single reached fifth place on the pop charts, and the album second place) the trio concentrated more and more on pop material. Young and Holt left in 1966 to form the Young-Holt Trio and were replaced by Cleveland Eaton and Maurice White. White was replaced by Maurice Jennings in 1970. In the late 1970s an additional keyboard player was frequently added to the lineup. A contemporary version of "The In Crowd" was recorded for Lewis' 2004 album, Time Flies.
His 2005 album "With One Voice" pays homage to his gospel roots with the help Smokie Norful, Darius Brooks, and Donald Lawrence and the J.W. James Memorial A.M.E. Church Combined Choir.
In addition to recording and performing, he was a radio host on Chicago's Smooth Jazz station, WNUA (95.5 FM). His syndicated show Legends of Jazz, featuring classic jazz recordings from artists such as Charlie Parker and Miles Davis), could be heard in 60 cities in the United States and other countries as well. His Legends of Jazz television series on PBS, was first aired in April 2006.
From December 2006, the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show became a part of Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network, simulcasting on other Smooth Jazz stations across the country for the first time.
Lewis was artistic director of Jazz at Ravinia (an annual feature at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois) and helped organize Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program.
Early in the Morning
ramsey lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I can't get right
Had a little date with my baby last night
Now it's early in the morning
Yes, it's early in the morning
Early in the morning
And I ain't, I ain't got nothin' but the blues
That we used to go
I went to his house, but
He don't live there anymore
And it's early, early in the a.m
Yes, it's early in the morning
Early in the morning
And I ain't, I ain't got nothin' but the blues
I went to jenny lou's
To get something to eat
The waitress looked at me
And said Lorez you sure look beat'
I said it's early, early in the morning
It's still early in the morning
Early in the morning
And I ain't, ain't got nothin' but the blues
I had a lot of money
When I started out
But I couldn't find my baby now my money has run out
Still it's early, early, early in the morning
Yes, it's early in the morning
Early in the morning
And I ain't, I ain't got nothin' but the blues
Ramsey Lewis's song "Early in the Morning" is a story of a woman who is feeling the pain of a failed relationship. The song starts by putting the listener in the scene where it is early morning, and the woman is still feeling the effects of a night out with her partner the previous night. She reminisces about how much fun she had the night before, but the fact that she can't "get right" indicates that something is wrong. She later discloses that she went to all the places they used to go to as a couple, including her partner's house, but he was no longer living there. She is left to face the harsh reality of the failed relationship.
Furthermore, the woman's financial state also reflects the struggles she is facing. She admits to having a lot of money at the start of the relationship but has now lost it due to the failed relationship. This is a clear indication that she invested a lot in the relationship, both financially and emotionally, and now she has nothing to show for it. The chorus, "And I ain't, I ain't got nothin' but the blues" echoes this sentiment.
The song's lyrics suggest that the woman is struggling to come to terms with the breakup and move on with her life. The fact that she is out early in the morning, still feeling the effects of the previous night's activity, is an indication that she might be using this as a coping mechanism. It's a sad story that most people can relate to, and Ramsey Lewis delivers the story with emotion and soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Early in the morning
The singer is up very early in the morning.
And I can't get right
The singer is feeling groggy or out of sorts.
Had a little date with my baby last night
The singer went on a date with their significant other the previous evening.
Now it's early in the morning
Despite the time, it is now the morning.
Yes, it's early in the morning
Reinforcing that it is indeed the morning.
Early in the morning
Stating the time yet again for emphasis.
And I ain't, I ain't got nothin' but the blues
The singer is feeling down or depressed and has nothing else on their mind.
I went to all the places
The artist visited all of the locations that they used to go with their significant other.
That we used to go
Continuing to emphasize the past tense of their outings.
I went to his house, but
Specifically, the artist went to their partner's house.
He don't live there anymore
However, their partner no longer resides there.
And it's early, early in the a.m
Reiterating the time of day once again.
Early in the morning
Again acknowledging the time of day.
And I ain't, I ain't got nothin' but the blues
Repeating that the singer is feeling gloomy and has nothing else on their mind.
I went to jenny lou's
The singer went to a diner called Jenny Lou's.
To get something to eat
Specifically, the artist went to the diner to get food.
The waitress looked at me
The server at the diner noticed the artist when they arrived.
And said Lorez you sure look beat'
The server commented on how the singer appears tired or worn out.
I said it's early, early in the morning
The singer reaffirms the time once more while responding to the server's comment.
It's still early in the morning
Emphasizing that it is still early in the day.
And I ain't, ain't got nothin' but the blues
The artist is still feeling blue and has nothing else on their mind.
I had a lot of money
The artist used to have a considerable amount of money.
When I started out
Referring to a time in their past.
But I couldn't find my baby now my money has run out
After losing their significant other, the artist has also lost a lot of money and is now financially struggling.
Still it's early, early, early in the morning
Despite everything that's gone wrong, it's still the early hours of the day.
Yes, it's early in the morning
Reaffirming that it is still early in the morning.
Early in the morning
One last time, acknowledging the time of day.
And I ain't, I ain't got nothin' but the blues
Repeating the refrain one last time to drive home how the artist is feeling.
Lyrics © KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING LIMITED
Written by: Leo Hickman, Louis Jordan, Dallas Bartley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind