Bright lights, big city

You may know these words as the title of a book by Jay McInerny. It was quite popular in the mid-1980’s. I cite it from time to time in writing classes as one of the few books successfully written entirely in the second person.

Long before I read the book, I heard the song. (Which is where the title came from.) It was written and sung by Jimmy Reed (1925-1976), a blues singer with one of the most distinctive voices you’ve ever heard. His voice sounds like you’re resting on a pillow.

Jimmy Reed

I suspect not that many people know about Jimmy Reed these days. He had some hits in his hey-day, in the late 1950s and 1960s, but he never became truly famous, like the early rock ‘n’ roll stars Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. Or even as famous as his fellow bluesman and Mississippian, Muddy Waters. How many even know what his voice sounds like?

I first heard “Bright Lights, Big City” in the early 1960s in Virginia. I know this fact because I bought his album. There was no Spotify, no Apple Music, no Pandora. Just records. Which I loved and still do. They’re a most intimate, informative and gratifying way to listen to music. Not to mention the quality of the sound is unmatched.

Other songs he sang and/or wrote or co-wrote are “Baby What You Want Me To Do,” “Big Boss Man,” “Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby” and, my favorite, “Take Out Some Insurance.”

I can see the 19-year-old me sitting in the living room in Virginia Beach, Virginia, LP playing, swimming in that voice, getting an education. How long does it take to realize your real education is not in school?

If you were to leave me baby
Say you won't be back
That would be the end of me
'Cause I'd have a heart attack.

You better get some insurance on me, baby
Take out some insurance on me, baby
'Cause if ya ever, ever, said goodbye
I'm gonna haul right off and die.

This was a way to learn about people I could never meet or know. This was familiarity. This was a kind of friendship. I certainly gave him all my enthusiasm and affection. He gave me smiles and beauty. Widened my somewhat narrow horizons. In some ways, we’re more segregated than we’ve ever been these days. There are so few ways to connect. Jimmy Reed welcomed me in with his music. What did I know about all this? Not much.

Jimmy Reed died young, age 51, and had his struggles with alcohol along the way.

That’s not to say that people don’t remember Jimmy Reed. Bob Dylan does. His song, “Goodbye Jimmy Reed,” was part of his 2000 album, Rough and Rowdy Ways. Neil Young covered “Bright Lights, Big City” on his Everybody’s Rockin’ album. Elvis Presley covered Jimmy Reed songs, as well. Still, even though he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, it really can’t be said that he’s a household name. Even to music lovers. If you haven’t, try his music.

You don't know me, baby
Like I know myself.

That’s Jimmy Reed! Yeah!