They Say I'm Different
Betty Davis Lyrics
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mi great grat grand
Betty Davis's song "They Say I'm Different" is a powerful and introspective reflection on the way that society views her as an artist and as a person. The opening line, "They say I'm different," sets the tone for the rest of the song, which explores the ways that Betty's unique perspective and individuality are both celebrated and criticized by those around her.
As the song progresses, Betty contrasts the praise she receives from fans and admirers with the judgment and skepticism she faces from those who are threatened by her unconventional approach to music and life. She also muses on the impact her ancestors have had on her identity, noting that her "great grand" has shaped who she is and continues to inspire her to be true to herself.
The final lines of the song serve as a powerful rallying cry for those who feel marginalized or misunderstood: "So don't you blame me for following in their steps / So maybe they're the ones who's weird / And maybe they're scared." In these lines, Betty asserts her right to be different and suggests that those who judge her harshly are the ones who are truly out of step with the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
they say I'm different
People claim that I stand out as unusual or unconventional
my greatness would be grand
If I am great, my achievement would be impressive and grand
Contributed by Juliana I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
andrew james Bunting
Lyrics
They say I'm different 'cause I'm a piece of sugar cane
Sweet to the core that's why I got rhythm
My Great Grandma didn't like the foxtrot
Now instead she spitted snuff and boogied to Elmore James
Spit on
They say I'm different 'cause I eat chitlins
I can't help it, I was born and raised on 'em
That's right, oh, every mornin' I had to slop the hogs
And they be gettin' off humpin' to John Lee Hooker
Gettin' off
They say I'm different 'cause I'm a piece of sugar cane
And when I kick my legs I got rhythm
My Great Grandpa was a blues lover
He be rockin' his moonshine to B.B. King and Jimmy Reed
Rock on pappy
That's why they say I'm different
And that's why they say I'm strange
I'm talkin' 'bout Big Mama Thornton (talk about it, talk about it)
Talkin' 'bout Lightning Hopkins (talk about it, talk about it)
Talkin' 'bout Howlin Wolf (talk about it, talk about it)
I'm talkin' 'bout Albert King (alright, alright)
Chuck Berry, Chuck Berry, Chuck Berry
When I was sweet sixteen
And that's why they say I'm different
And that's why you think I'm strange
I'm talkin' 'bout T. Bone Walker (talk about it, talk about it)
I'm talkin' 'bout Muddy Waters (talk about it, talk about it)
I'm talkin' 'bout Leadbelly, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Son House, and Freddie King (alright, alright)
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith, oh, oh hey
Oh, Bo Diddley have you heard it?
they say I'm different
And that's why they say I'm strange
And that's why they say I'm funky
A Little Richard, Wild Lou, sunshine you sure can sing (alright, alright)
Robert Johnson, Robert Johnson, Robert Johnson
You play the blues for me
And that's why, and that's why, and that's why they say I'm different
And that's why, and that's why, and that's why they say I'm strange
That's why, why, why, why
That's why, why, why, why
And that's why, why, why, why
They say I'm funky, funky, uh-uh, funky, funky
And that's why, why, why, why
And that's why, why, why, why
And that's why, why, why, why
And that's why they say I'm different
That's why, why, why, why
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[Verse 1]
They say I’m different 'cause I’m a piece of sugar cane
Sweet to the core, that’s why I got rhythm
My great grandma didn’t like the foxtrot
Nah, instead she’d spit her snuff and boogie to Elmore James
They say I’m different 'cause I eat chitlins
I can’t help it I was born and raised on’em, that’s right
Every mornin' I'd have to slop the hogs
And they’d be gettin’ off humpin’ to John Lee Hooker
They say I’m different 'cause I’m a piece of sugar cane
And when I kick my legs, I got rhythm
My great grandpa was a blues lover
He’d be rockin’ his moonshine to B.B. King and Jimmy Reed
Rock on now
[Chorus]
And that’s why they say I’m different
And that’s why they say I’m strange
[Verse 2]
I’m talkin bout Big Momma Thornton
Lightning Hopkins
Howling Wolf
Albert King
Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
When I was sweet sixteen
[Chorus]
And that’s why they say I’m different
And that’s why you think I’m strange
[Verse 3]
I’m talkin' bout T-Bone Walker
(I get my) Muddy Waters
Leadbelly
Sonny Terry
Brownie Mcghee
Son House and Freddie King
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith
Oh, Hey
Bo Diddley, have you heard?
[Chorus]
That’s why they say I’m different
That’s why they say I’m strange
That’s why they say I’m funky
[Verse 4]
Little Richard
Wow, you sure showed 'em you sure could sing
Alright, alright
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson
He played the blues for me
[Outro]
That’s why
And that’s why
And that’s why they say I’m different
That’s why
And that’s why
And that’s why they say I’m strange
That’s why
And that’s why
And that’s why they say I’m funk
Tony Vaughn
It was so much fun doing this LP with Betty! The day I hit San Fran. I went into the studio. I didn't even get to drop my stuff at the house! I flew from Washington. DC. But when I got there, it sure was funky!! I had big fun. Even met Buddy Miles! Very cool time for a young kid like myself. (at the time!) :) I still love you Betty!!
slimturnpike
Awesome dude. Who played what on this track?
Proto Alcibiade
Amazing story, man! Love it!
Tom Silberberg
@slimturnpike What I can find:
Written By Betty Davis
Piano - Tony Vaughn
Drums - Mike Clark
Tom Silberberg
Good work Tony, a real bit of music history you helped make here :)
Roy Amit
Where is she at today.
only the lonely
I can't believe or understand the lack of credit this woman gets.she wrote the wildest lyrics and was not afraid to be different, or strange. She's a revolutionary and a genius
Niels Zindel
Sexism, husband more important that is how it was in those days....Delia Morris
Tiago Ribeiro
ONLY heard of her today... Damn, wow. She rocks
Bob Arctor
Completely envious of anyone who hears her for the first time. I remember how incredible that was.