"Jemima Surrender" is a song written by Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson. It was first released on the Band's self-titled album in 1969. Usual Band drummer Levon Helm played guitar and sang the lead vocal while usual Band pianist Richard Manuel played drums. The song's lasciviousness helped inspire Naomi Weisstein to form the Chicago Women's Liberation Rock Band.
| "Jemima Surrender" | |
|---|---|
| Song by The Band | |
| from the album The Band | |
| Released | September 22, 1969 |
| Recorded | 1969 |
| Length | 3:31 |
| Label | Capitol |
| Songwriter(s) | Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson |
| Producer(s) | John Simon |
Lyrics and music
editThe song's lyrics express the singer's sexual desire for the Jemima of the title.[1][2] The Band FAQ author Peter Aaron notes that it "builds on the amorous hubris" of the group's single from the album, "Rag Mama Rag."[3] Sexual double entendres in the song include the singer's offer that "I’ll bring over my Fender, and I’ll play all night for you," which Robertson punctuates with a lead guitar riff.[1][2] Another line states that "I hand you my rod and you hand me that line."[3] Steve Millward interprets "Jemima Surrender" as a "gently satirical" song about "a hapless country bumpkin" who can't control his girlfriend."[4]
The object of the singer's desire may be a woman of color.[3][5] Band biographer Craig Harris notes that although the name Jemima originates in the Biblical Book of Job, by the late 1800s in the United States it has been largely associated with African Americans, particularly with Aunt Jemima, the logo of a brand of pancake syrup.[5]
Helm sings the lead vocal.[1][2] The song uses the band's alternative instrumental lineup, in which Helm plays strings instead of drums, Richard Manuel plays drums instead of piano and Garth Hudson plays piano instead of organ.[1][2][6] Unlike many Band songs with this lineup, however, Helm plays guitar rather than mandolin.[6][3] Hudson also plays baritone saxophone and producer John Simon plays tuba.[6][3] Several commentators have focused on Manuel's drumming, calling it "gloriously off-kilter" and "engagingly clumsy".[1][2] Barney Hoskyns describes Garth Hudson's piano playing as being in a similar barrelhouse style as "Rag Mama Rag".[1] George Harrison biographer Simon Leng suggested that Robertson's economical guitar playing on the song was similar to Harrison's style.[7]
A section in the middle of the song is described by Aaron as "slipping into a burlesque bump 'n' grind".[3]
Reception
editAaron rates "Jemima Surrender" as one of the group's greatest songs.[3] He finds the "recurring, stuttering riff" to be "irresistible" and the burlesque section to be "clever."[3] Hoskyns refers to the song as a "crunching little rocker" but notes that its lyrics reflect the Band's "occasionally rather Neanderthal attitude towards women.[1] Music critic Nick DeRiso similarly describes it as a "lip-smacking, knuckle-dragging hoot" while stating that it "won't win any awards for cosmopolitan thinking, but it couldn't be more fun."[2] DeRiso also states that "Helm might never have been more grinningly lascivious, and the feeling is simply contagious." Colin Larkin also praised the impact of Helms' "intense vocals."[8] Pete Prown and Harvey P. Newquist praise Robertson's guitar playing for its "tough rhythm progressions and a tart Claptonesque solo."[9] The song, particularly the lyrics "Jemima surrender/I'm going to give it to you," inspired Naomi Weisstein to form the Chicago Women's Liberation Rock Band, as the song made her feel "how criminal to make the subjugation and suffering of women so sexy? We'll organize our own rock band."[5][10]
A version of "Jemima Surrender" was included on the Band compilation album A Musical History.[11] Although no live recordings of the song have been officially released, Jemima Surrender was common in the Band's live shows during 1970.[1]
Performers
edit- Levon Helm – lead vocal, electric rhythm guitar
- Richard Manuel – drums, backing vocal
- Rick Danko – 6 string bass, backing vocal
- Garth Hudson – piano, baritone saxophone
- Robbie Robertson – electric guitar
with:
- John Simon – tuba
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Hoskyns, Barney (2006). Across the Great Divide. Hal Leonard. pp. 184, 209, 233, 248. ISBN 9781423414421.
- ^ a b c d e f DeRiso, Nick (24 October 2013). "Across the Great Divide: The Band, "Jemima Surrender" from The Band (1969)". Something Else!. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Aaron, Peter (2016). The Band FAQ. Backbeat Books. p. 43. ISBN 9781617136139.
- ^ Millward, Steve (2014). Different Tracks: Music and Politics in 1970. Troubador. p. 117. ISBN 9781783064762.
- ^ a b c Harris, Craig (2014). The Band: Pioneers of Americana Music. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 98–99. ISBN 9780810889040.
- ^ a b c "The Band: The Brown Album". The Band. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ Leng, Simon (2003). While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison. Hal Leonard. p. 52. ISBN 9781423406099.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music: Grenfell, Joyce – Koller, Hans. Vol. 4. University of Michigan. p. 233. ISBN 9780195313734.
- ^ Brown, Pete; Newquist, Harvey P. (1997). Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists. Hal Leonard. p. 47. ISBN 9780793540426.
- ^ Weisstein, Naomi (2001). "Days of Celebration and Resistance: The Chicago Women's Liberation Rock Band 1970–1973". In Baxandall, Rosalyn; Gordon, Linda (eds.). Dear Sisters: Dispatches From The Women's Liberation Movement. Basic Books. ISBN 9780465017072.
- ^ "Jemima Surrender". Allmusic. Retrieved 2017-04-23.