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T-Bone Shuffle
T-Bone Walker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let your hair down baby
Let's have a natural ball
Let your hair down baby
Let's have a natural ball
Cause when you're not happy
It ain't no fun at all

You can't take it with you
That's one thing for sure
You can't take it with you baby
That's one thing for sure
There's nothing wrong with ya baby
That a good T-Bone shuffle can't cure

Have fun while ya can
Fate's an awful thing
Have fun while ya can
Fate's an awful thing
You can't tell what might happen
That's why I love to sing

Overall Meaning

In "T-Bone Shuffle," T-Bone Walker is encouraging someone to let go of their worries and enjoy themselves. He urges them to relax and have fun, saying, "Let your hair down baby, let's have a natural ball." He acknowledges that being unhappy is no fun at all, and wants to convince the listener to enjoy themselves while they can. His message is reinforced by the idea that "fate's an awful thing," and that no one knows what may happen in the future.


T-Bone's simple yet profound message in this song is meant to inspire people to embrace their lives and not take themselves too seriously. He wants people to appreciate the fleeting nature of life and to make the most of every moment while they can. By encouraging listeners to have a good time, he reminds them that happiness can be found in even the most difficult situations. The song's upbeat tempo and playful tone make it a perfect tune to dance, sing, and let loose to.


Line by Line Meaning

Let your hair down baby
Relax and have fun


Let's have a natural ball
Let's enjoy ourselves in a carefree manner


Cause when you're not happy
Because when you're feeling down or unhappy


It ain't no fun at all
It's no fun or enjoyable


You can't take it with you
You cannot take material possessions to the afterlife


That's one thing for sure
That's an absolute truth


You can't take it with you baby
You cannot take your material possessions with you


There's nothing wrong with ya baby
There's nothing physically wrong with you


That a good T-Bone shuffle can't cure
That a lively, upbeat T-Bone shuffle music can cure the emotional blues


Have fun while ya can
Enjoy life while you have the chance


Fate's an awful thing
The unknown force of fate can be terrifying


You can't tell what might happen
It's impossible to predict the future


That's why I love to sing
That's why I enjoy expressing myself through music




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: T-BONE WALKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@totc6196

To me TBONE was way ahead of his time and surely doesn’t get enough credit

@theeclecticreader5657

Thank you for listing all the side cats. Nobody ever does that.

@jsamc

I first heard this on Showdown featuring Robert Cray, Robert Copeland, and Albert Collins. Glad I'm finally hearing the original.

@guildt50

The shuffle is the mainstay of swing expression ...and such a joy to listen to all through the years....and to play with a smile and a tapping foot.

@kristophersaul562

instablaster...

@reuvenzadik2443

What a nice fusion between Blues and Jazz..Nightlike, foggy and dreamy song from a master as he was...

@norai.5826

blues/r&b
+ jazz/jump blues (with shuffle/boogie woogie rhythmic pattern)
+ virtuoso using electric guitar as the main character
= something rare and influential

@WillieEWoof

Amazing! That is exactly (in time, and in music) where jazz and blues and rock meet!

@mwalimuwade6910

Rock came from the blues

@gboard7

Does it get any better than this?

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