I go through the strangest kind of changes
Tryin' to find myself a way to pay my dues
And would you believe it I'm so urban
My suburban friends don't know my bag of blues
I'm up in the morning on the corner so siditty

That you'd hardly know it's me
And late in the evening when I'm mellow
There's my fellow with the world for me to see
It's a world full of cocktails at nine
And dinners and wine very late shows
And where the crowd goes

I'm a girl with a world of her owna queen on her throne
Till everything's gone and then
I wake up to find that I'm a stranger
In a world where I have never before
I look for my man who held my hand

But now I know that he'll be coming back no more
I'm telling you 'bout this bag of blues
Paid a whole lotta dues baby
Gonna change my way of livin' talkin' bags of blues
Mister don't you see I'm paying dues
Gonna change me some shoes baby

Walkin' in a daze to my apartment where I'll grab another wink
And doze on the sofa 'til eleven then get up and pour myself another drink
While back at the party I'll be hardy while I'm waitin' for some better news
But now in the meantime I'll just sit right here and cool it
We're gonna cool it now and listen to the rhythm
Ahmad's blues

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ahmad Jamal's song "Ahmad's Blues" encapsulate the feeling of being lost and struggling to find oneself in a fast-paced, urban world. The singer of the song is experiencing a constant state of flux and transition, as they move between different social circles and environments. They describe feeling like a "girl with a world of her own" one moment, but then wake up to find themselves a "stranger" in a world they've never known before.

The song also touches on themes of addiction and self-destructive behavior, as the singer confesses to "grabbing another drink" and feeling like they're "walkin' in a daze." Despite this, the singer also expresses a desire to change their ways and "pay their dues." The song ultimately ends on a positive note, with the singer encouraging the listener to "cool it" and enjoy the rhythm.

Overall, the lyrics of "Ahmad's Blues" paint a vivid portrait of someone struggling to find their place in the world, while also acknowledging the temptation to give in to vices and unhealthy habits.

Line by Line Meaning

I go through the strangest kind of changes
I experience various unexpected changes in my life

Tryin' to find myself a way to pay my dues
I'm trying to find a way to overcome my hardships and struggles

And would you believe it I'm so urban
I have adapted to city life so much that it's hard for my suburban friends to recognize me

My suburban friends don't know my bag of blues
My friends from the suburbs cannot relate to my struggles and hardships

I'm up in the morning on the corner so siditty
I dress up and carry myself in a fancy manner in the morning

That you'd hardly know it's me
To the extent that it's hard for others to recognize me

And late in the evening when I'm mellow
When I calm down later in the day

There's my fellow with the world for me to see
There's someone I care about who makes the world a better place for me

It's a world full of cocktails at nine
My world involves drinking cocktails at night

And dinners and wine very late shows
Having fancy dinner and wine while watching late-night shows

And where the crowd goes
I follow the crowd and its trends

I'm a girl with a world of her owna queen on her throne
I feel special and powerful in my own world

Till everything's gone and then
Until I lose everything I had

I wake up to find that I'm a stranger
I realize that I do not recognize myself anymore

In a world where I have never before
In a world that's new and different to me

I look for my man who held my hand
I look for the person who supported me in the past

But now I know that he'll be coming back no more
To my realization that person is no longer around

I'm telling you 'bout this bag of blues
I'm sharing with you about my sorrows and struggles

Paid a whole lotta dues baby
I have worked hard and paid a high price for everything

Gonna change my way of livin' talkin' bags of blues
I am planning to change my lifestyle and move on from my sorrows and struggles

Mister don't you see I'm paying dues
I'm reminding you that I'm still paying my way through my struggles

Gonna change me some shoes baby
I am planning to buy new things for myself and renew my lifestyle

Walkin' in a daze to my apartment where I'll grab another wink
I walk in a confused state to my apartment and take a nap

And doze on the sofa 'til eleven then get up and pour myself another drink
I sleep on the couch until 11am and have another drink when I wake up

While back at the party I'll be hardy while I'm waitin' for some better news
While others continue to party and have fun, I wait for things to get better

But now in the meantime I'll just sit right here and cool it
For now, I will sit here and relax

We're gonna cool it now and listen to the rhythm
Let's take a break and listen to the rhythm of the music

Ahmad's blues
This song is Ahmad's blues

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AHMAD JAMAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@thomasboehnlein5205

5y↑19

This isn't the song that got me started with jazz. But had I heard this song first, it absolutely would have been the one to start the obsession. I fell in love with it instantly.

@TravelLifestyleWithAlinase

Agreed 🥰

@CalebOrvik

1y↑8

Rest In Peace to the great Ahmad Jamal…💯

@omiriandadream

1y↑4

Kaleidoscope on Netflix 'episode orange' brought me here

@greenblaze9189

1y↑1

I can't believe this day has actually come. I thought I'd be prepared emotionally.

@JeffTheGent

1y↑1

🕊❤️ to one of the greatest to ever touch the 88s, Ahmad Jamal, born Frederick Russell Jones, 7/2/30 - 4/16/23. 💐🎼🎹

@RonReederDigstheUniverse

1y↑1

The late great Paul Ray opened his shows with this song on Austin's KUT back in the 90s. It still gives me chills.

@MH-il1lk

4y↑22

If someone doesn't understand the swing feel, play them this piece.

@Bati_

Exactly! Swing feel is so good on this one…

@garrettgoins9894

1y↑1

""TO THE PERSON WHO SHARED THIS ALBUM ,.. YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED AND APPRECIATED BY COLLECTORS OF BLUES AND JAZZ , HISTORIANS, MUSICOLOGIST, PRESERVING LP LIKE THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME, AND MANY MANY OTHERS, THEY JUST HAVEN'T TOLD YOU YET...SERIOUSLY WE ALL THANK YOU, YOU BRING SO MUCH JOY,..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.. (MISSING A GREAT JAZZ PLAYER AHMAD JAMAL LEFT US WITH A HUGE AMOUNT OF JAZZ IN THE VAULTS TO BE RELEASED ON CHESS)

@iftymo5880

4y↑5

A masterpiece, atmospheric, a true genius. Much respect xxxxx

@theycallmetrouble226

13y↑6

I just lucked into this song, another new favorite of mine...I love Ahmad Jamal..going to see him this winter again!!

@jakeabides771

4y↑2

The type of things that blows minds... Great sound!!!

@laynedavisson3988

4y↑1

Simple and brilliant...subtle and captivating...

@327Jhigh

12y↑18

@MasterXelpud My grandfather's best friend in high school was then Freddie Jones aka Ahmad Jamal. They attended Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, Pa; and my grandfather always told me growing up that he used to beg his friend Freddie to come over and play for him and his family everyday after school. He said Freddie was really shy and unsure of himself; reluctant always, my grandfather's power of persuasion and charm overruled lol. I guess you can credit my grandfather Lonnie Mitchell

@jasonpfinch

Great story: thanks!

@sweetyonee

4y↑1

Great story.

@g6martin

14y↑1

i discoved this song as it was done by Gene Harris. liked it so much that i had to hear Jamal's version. WOW! thats incredible! thanks for posting.

@vinyltapelover

13y↑7

I was getting ready to mention Erroll Garner until I took the time to read all the comments. From what I have seen here,If the list of great pianists isn't limitless, it is at least long and distinquished. All kinds of musical flavors to suit various palletes.I was fortunate that my mother started my listening education on Peter Nero, Eddy Duchin, Steve Allen, Roger Williams, Ramsey Lewis. I 've go to look into Tristano and Dave Frank. I'm so jazzed I might have hit "Subscribe" twice.

@romain415

13y↑2

Tout en puissance....

@julianvickery8341

7y↑1

"Ahmad's Blues" by The Ahmad Jamal Trio (1951)
From his debut solo release as a bandleader on the Okeh record label.

@Guitfiddlejase

10y↑4

...just killer dude...

@williamwoods8182

49w

Rest in glory King

@funlolafamuyiwa3884

Couldn't get better. . .

@MPOURNOUZIS

14y

thank you man you have great taste to jazz especially wynton kelly is amazing...i knew some pianists that you told me though hancock and monk are great piano players...

@327Jhigh

12y↑2

@MasterXelpud for the man the world now knows today as Ahmad Jamal. He always told me that Ahmad was the greatest piano player that ever lived; but I figured he was just being biased for obvious reasons lol. I have to admit that now being a mature adult; my grandfather wasn't wrong. I am proud to say that I was this close to greatness. It blows my mind to think that my grandfather was one of the first people to bear witness of this great gift to the world.

@diamix2010

13y

very good!!!!!

@vinyltapelover

13y

@Ahash31 Thanks for the Tristano and Frank tips. Enjoyed both and got them in my favorites.

@adamryder5464

33w

Rock n roll before rock and roll

@MasterXelpud

13y

@vanea99 Well, in all honesty, that was less meant to be a definitive "Who's Who" list for jazz pianists, and more of a list of some of the first people to come to my mind. Were I to update that list now, I can think of several other pianists I'd add to the list (say, Oscar Peterson, Ray Bryant, Red Garland, Bud Powell, and Hank Jones just to name a few), but like I said, that was mainly intended just to offer a small view of what was out there in the world of jazz piano.

@vinyltapelover

13y↑1

I was trying to get out the door to get a Sunday paper and 'clicked" on this just for the heck of it and realized I had heard it before but it had been years. As I am going through your catalogue, I'm findind that I have heard more Ahmad jamal than I realized. A lot of times the cuts might be played be the artists might be mentioned way before or after the playing of multiple cuts. Wow! BTW, is it my imagination but was this done a a jazz vocal by a female artist? Thanks for another g8 post.

@kempfkempfkempf

29w

Natalie Cole and Marlena Shaw

@yvestheiler53

❤

@vanea99

13y

@MasterXelpud GREAT POSTING, thank you so much. But why, if I may ask, you did not put Oscar Peterson (and Keith Jarrett) among the masters?

@brunomunoz467

Nice

@theresahaffner

13y

"Poinciana" is probably his best known. Others in that direction are Ramsey Lewis. the Three Sounds, Andre Previn. Jazz purists of the time didn't approve of Jamal because he wasn't straight ahead enough. His influence entered mainstream jazz however because Miles Davis liked his playing and tried to encourage pianists in his quintet to play like him. In particular Red Garland, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly. You might also enjoy John Lewis of Modern Jazz Quartet and also Nina Simone.

@suzannewheat9607

The first jazz I ever heard was this piece on the jukebox at a bar. I was 13 and spellbound--and hooked on jazz for good.

@i8theforce

13y↑1

@MasterXelpud Gotta add Bud Powell to that list!

@MasterXelpud

14y↑1

Well, I'm afraid I can't think of any other pianist that sounds like Jamal, because only Jamal sounds like Jamal. That being said, if you're looking for good jazz pianists, some I would highly recommend listening to are: Herbie Hancock, Wynton Kelly, Thelonious Monk, Andrew Hill, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, Horace Silver, Chick Corea, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington, Brad Mehldau, Sonny Clark, and of course, Ahmad Jamal (Chamber Music of the New Jazz is a favorite of mine). Good luck with your search!

@finy86

12y↑1

@MasterXelpud This list is awesome. Thanks man. I guess I'll expand on my jazz collection. And also, you might already know about this, but if you don't, check out Robert Glasper. You might not rate him but I think he's cool. Cheers

@JimGarverK7YO

I showed this piece to my mother, who was excellent on piano. "Oh, that,s just someone fooling around", she said. EXscatly how I listen to jazz.
s

@luthiersunite

13y↑1

@vanea99 They are both great, of course. But when you compare the sound of Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown to this masterclass by Ahmad Jamal and Israel Crosby the first partnership sounds too heavy and overdone. Keith Jarrett himself speaks with embarassment about most of his records (including Koln) saying that he always played "too many notes". There is a time for Jarrett and Peterson, but they should not be recommended to someone who wants pianists "like Jamal" whose playing is perfectly light.

@MPOURNOUZIS

14y

hey MasterXelpud i am new to jazz can you tell me other pianist like jamal please he is great.

@ornellacontreras4554

Te amooooooooooooooooooooo

@MPOURNOUZIS

14y

hey master i agree with you nothing beats the technique of jamal great player can you suggest me blues piano players instead of jazz im searching someone who played dirty blues like ike turner something like jimi hendrix on piano....

@TheYeremo

7y↑1

Daniel Kalamaras check out oscar peterson

@AlmostEthical

12y

@finy86 For mellow McCoy try Trane's Alabama. You might like some of Hiromi's more mellow songs.

@budrich2773

RIP

@leonsaieg2959

Call O Da Wild - Sometimes The Neighborhood

@Dogdrum

13y

@MPOURNOUZIS Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, Bud Powell, Thelonius Monk, Oscar Peterson Michel Petruccianni//.. just to name a few to start with..

@willshakeyou

12y↑1

@finy86 Bill Evans might do the trick! =)

@finy86

12y↑2

I hope you don't mind me asking you this. Any chance you could name me some Jazz Pianists with a slow, mellow rhythm? Similar to this? I was listening to McCoy Tyner and I find his music too fast. Want to avoid fast music. Need music to relax to. Please? Thanks

@TheYeremo

finy86 oscar peterson and count basie.

@thomasboehnlein5205

You could look at Elmo Hope.

@Ahash31

13y

Let's not forget Lennie Tristano or Dave Frank

@PepperWilliamsMusicBlend

13y

Red Garland and McCoy Tyner.

@moblackqb31

10y

Call of the wild-sometimes the neighborhood

@marcderrien5139

3y↑1

Dawn

@PrettyCashBeats

терле терле терле

@drodon1474

1y↑1

kalidoscope

@anderson1245

13y↑1

Where is the master, Oscar Peterson?

@TheYeremo

wesley anderson probably the best along side art Tatum the great.

@lioneldubinsky7553

tatum

@donach9

Don't you reckon, that altho it's a completely different attitude, that maybe Rod McKuen took some harmonic inspiration from this for The Beat Generation? https://youtu.be/Y5-HlUAOjGE

@kultenhughes3585

Ain't no way he's dead

@DJGhettoVerite

13y

Some freak show doesn't like this. Check it out, one dislike. Now, either that's Satan, who of course is exempt due to the fact that he never had a soul to start with or it is one of us... You... Disliker... Make yourself known...