Most modern music lovers know the song I’m So Glad from the cover versions of Cream and Deep Purple, but few now remember its author. They became the American bluesman Nyemiah Curtis James, better known as “Skip” James (Skip James), who is called one of the most influential performers of country blues and delta blues. He recorded I’m So Glad in the early thirties, although it can be said that the history of the song began even earlier.
The story of creation and the meaning of the song I’m So Glad
In 1927, Gene Austin, who was famous at that time, sang a frankly salon composition called So Tired (music by Art Sizemore, lyrics by George Little). It became very popular and was soon taken up by both white and black musicians, including some real stars.
It’s hard to say in whose performance Skip liked it so much (they say it could have been a variant of the Dallas String Band), but he also decided to take it on. James remade the melody almost beyond recognition, playing the guitar masterfully, significantly changed the words and called his creation I’m So Glad. Frankly, if Skip himself hadn’t told biographer Stephen Colt about his source of inspiration, it’s possible that no one would have guessed what song I’m So Glad is based on.
Artists of I’m So Glad
In 1966, Cream recorded a cover version of I’m So Glad. The song is featured on their Fresh Cream album. And a couple of years later it was performed by Deep Purple for the album Shades of Deep Purple. Note that the albums were debuts for both bands.
To the credit of the members of Cream, the guys made sure that Skip James received the royalties due to him for the song “I’m So Glad”. According to various sources, the amount ranged from five to ten thousand dollars, which was very useful for an almost impoverished and very sick musician.
Skip died in 1969, but he had the opportunity to attend a Cream concert and hear them sing his song live. Needless to say, he was not happy.
And you yourself compare and decide whose version you like more.
Interesting Facts
- Deep Purple’s cover of the song begins with an intro that uses motifs from Scheherazade, a suite by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
I’m So Glad Lyrics by Skip James
I’m so glad, and I am glad
I am glad, I am glad
I don’t know what to do
Don’t know what to do
I don’t know what to do
I’m tired of weepin’, tired of moanin’
Tired of groanin’ for you
And I’m so glad, I am glad
I’m glad, I’m glad
I’m tired of weepin’, tired of moanin’
Tired of groanin’ for you
And I’m so glad and I am glad
I’m glad, I’m glad
I’m so tired of moanin’, tired of groanin’
Tired of moanin’ for you
I’m so glad, I’m glad
I’m glad, I’m glad
I don’t know what to do
Don’t know what to do
I don’t know what to do
I’m so tired, indeed I am tired
I am tired
And I’m so glad, I am glad
I’m glad, I’m glad
I don’t know what to do
Don’t know what to do
I don’t know what to do
I’m tired of weepin’, tired of moanin’
Tired of groanin’ for you
And I’m so glad, I am glad
I’m glad, I’m glad
I’m so tired, I am tired
I’m tired
I’m tired of weepin’, tired of moanin’
Tired of groanin’ for you
I’m so glad, I’m glad
I’m glad, I’m glad
Don’t know what to do
Don’t know what to do
Don’t know what to do
Song quote
Hell, they played her topsy-turvy. They have neither harmony nor rhythm. I was twice as fast. It’s too good a song to screw up like that. No one will ever play it like me.
Skip James on the Cream version
