Roll 'Em Pete

Big Joe Turner

About Roll 'Em Pete

"Roll 'Em Pete" is a rhythm and blues song, originally recorded in December 1938 by Big Joe Turner and pianist Pete Johnson. The recording is regarded as one of the most important precursors of what later became known as rock and roll."Roll 'Em Pete" was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2018, as one of the five new entrants in the "Classic of Blues Recording (Song)" category.


Year:
2008
3:58
74 

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Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
Well, I got a gal, she lives up on the hill
Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord, but I love her still

She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
She's got eyes like diamonds, they shine like Klondike gold
Ev'ry time she loves me, she sends my mellow soul

Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
Well, you're so beautiful, you've got to die someday
All I want's a little loving, just before you pass away

Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away and leave you by yourself
You've mistreated me, now you can mistreat somebody else

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Big Joe Turner

Big Joe Turner (born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr., May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to the songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." Although he came to his greatest fame in the 1950s with his pioneering rock and roll recordings, particularly "Shake, Rattle and Roll", Turner's career as a performer stretched from the 1920s into the 1980s. Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. more »

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Written by: Joe Turner, Pete K. H. Johnson

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Genre
The song "Roll 'Em Pete" by "Big Joe Turner" and "Pete Johnson" is considered a seminal blues and boogie woogie song.
Recording Date
The song was recorded on December 30, 1938.
Instrumental Feature
"Roll 'Em Pete" prominently features a "walking bass" line, a type of bass accompaniment commonly used in blues and jazz which provides a regular rhythmic pattern in the bass range of the music.
Music Label
The song was released under the label Vocalion, which was a significant record company known for its recordings of blues, jazz, and country music.
Historical Significance
"Roll 'Em Pete" is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that have significantly shaped Rock and Roll, due to its influence on the genres.
The Lyrics
The song's lyrics are said to be improvised, seemingly based on a series of common blues themes, moving verse by verse through lonely nights, lost love, and homelessness.
Song Structure
"Roll 'Em Pete" features a typical structure for many classic blues songs, with three lines of lyrics over a twelve-bar length, commonly referred to as a `12-bar blues` form.
Collaboration
This song served as a cornerstone of the partnership between Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson, a powerful singer and a pianist respectively, creating an influential blues tandem in their era.
Influence on Artists
The song is believed to be among the works that influenced and shaped later artists and bands, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, who adopted its bluesy rhythms and lyrical themes.
Cover Versions
Many popular musicians have covered "Roll 'Em Pete," including Louis Armstrong, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Count Basie, highlighting its enduring appeal and influence in the music industry.
Song Title
The title "Roll 'Em Pete" is inspired by the phrase "Roll 'em, Pete!" which Big Joe Turner would often call out during performances to encourage Pete Johnson to play a piano solo.
Live Performances
The song's lively tempo and infectious rhythm made it a popular choice for live performances, and it was reportedly often used as the closing number during Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson's shows.

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