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Help Me

In 1963, Booker T. & the M.G.'s instrumental "Green Onions" was tearing up the radio. Sonny Boy Williamson II loved the groove so much he decided to steal it. Accompanied by organ (likely Lafayette Leake or Billy...

RecordedJanuary 11, 1963, Chess Studios, Chicago, Illinois
LabelChecker
Show PlacementShow 18 (track order 27)

In 1963, Booker T. & the M.G.'s instrumental "Green Onions" was tearing up the radio. Sonny Boy Williamson II loved the groove so much he decided to steal it. Accompanied by organ (likely Lafayette Leake or Billy Emerson), the band locked into a slow, grinding version of the famous bassline. Sonny Boy stepped to the mic and delivered "Help Me," singing with an exhausted, weathered dignity. Instead of energetic solos, he used his harmonica to create deep, textural moans. It was an instant classic, finding huge fame in Europe where it became a staple for the Yardbirds.