The Free and Easy Meaning Behind “Call Me The Breeze” by J.J. Cale

That title may sound familiar, for it might bring to mind the Lynyrd Skynyrd song at first. Let’s take a closer look at the original rendition of “Call Me The Breeze” by J.J. Cale, and its meaning.

J.J. Cale is considered to be a forefather of Southern rock and a guitar-driven singing, songwriting, inspiring name in the genre. Regarding Cale’s own influences, he grew up listening to artists like Chuck Berry and Les Paul. As he hailed from Tulsa, he thus developed what would become the “Tulsa Sound,” which entailed dynamic electric guitar playing that was groundbreaking for the time.

He recorded his own music, beginning with Naturally (1972), but Cale did not sing many of his biggest hits. Much of his mainstream popularity would come from Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Kansas’ covers of his material. However, his song “Crazy Mama” would enter into the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Therefore, Cale’s success wasn’t entirely snubbed—and he liked it better this way.

The Songwriting

J.J. Cale wrote “Call Me The Breeze” for Naturally. While the album feels down to earth and traditional, Cale utilized new production techniques, namely a drum machine. He told Vintage Guitar in 2004 the reason was because he simply could not afford to bring a live drummer in to record. The rest of the instruments, however, were live. Cale’s band consisted of Carl Radle on bass, and Mac Gayden on slide for select songs.

The Meaning

“Call Me The Breeze” can aptly be described as “breezy” as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s cover solidified in 1974. The song’s sonic tone is perfect for road trips, and other leisurely, or downright uncurbed activities, but the lyrics harken back to this as well. The song opens with a reference to its title and claims that Cale’s draw to the open road is as natural as the wind.

Call me the breeze
I keep blowing down the road Well now they call me the breeze I keep blowing down the road
I ain’t got me nobody
I don’t carry me no load

Cale states he isn’t tied down by anything, or anyone, making him “weightless,” and the transition into the unoccupied lifestyle much easier. The conditions of his departure were also ideal, which can be taken to mean he did not cause a disturbance, and no one would disturb him and spoil his mood.

Ain’t no change in the weather Ain’t no changes in me
Well there ain’t no change in the weather Ain’t no changes in me
And I ain’t hiding from nobody

Nobody’s hiding from me
Oh, that’s the way it’s supposed to be

This extends to the road conditions as well, where traffic and other potential obligations that might lead him in any direction, are non-problems. His travel possibilities are endless.

Well, I got that green light baby
I got to keep moving on
Well, I got that green light baby
I got to keep moving on
Well, I might go out to California
Might go down to Georgia I don’t know

There are hints of a romantic encounter during his visit to Georgia, but soon denies the advances, for he doesn’t wish to settle down in one place, or in a monogamous relationship.

Well, I dig you Georgia peaches
Makes me feel right at home
Well, now I dig you Georgia peaches
Makes me feel right at home
But I don’t love me no one woman
So I can’t stay in Georgia long

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the biggest Southern rock names of all time, but they owe part of their signature sound, and one of their countless popular songs, to J.J. Cale.

The band’s cover of “Call Me The Breeze” appeared on their 1974 album Second Helping. However, compared to J.J. Cale’s version, which clocked in at just over two minutes, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s version is over five minutes long. It features all of the same lyrics, but stylizes and extends the guitar work, with a few distinctive solos throughout. The band ups the tempo as well, making for a more anthemic feeling.

Further Impact

“Call Me The Breeze” has also been covered by Johnny Cash in 1988, John Mayer in 2013, and Eric Clapton in 2014, where they each bring their personal edge to the song.

When asked about the success of songs like “Call Me The Breeze,” and the degree of separation between him and his songwriting’s popularity, J.J. Cale told Performing Songwriter in 2013 that he wasn’t interested in the baggage that came with fame, but still wanted the financial stability of it: ‘I knew what fame entailed,” he said. “I tried to back off from that. I had seen some of the people I was working with forced to be careful because people wouldn’t leave them alone… What I’m saying, basically, is I was trying to get the fortune without having the fame.’

While “Call Me The Breeze” is distinctly J.J. Cale’s song, it is just as much Lynyrd Skynyrd’s, Eric Clapton’s, Johnny Cash’s, and John Mayer’s, as each of these artists made the song special to fans, mirroring the effect Cale’s original songwriting had on them.

J.J. Cale passed away in 2013 due to a heart attack. His album, Stay Around, was a posthumous effort and was released in April of 2019. Though Cale is no longer with us, he lives on through his music, and his innovations that touched millions.

Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns