Three O'Clock Blues
B.B. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't even close my eyes
Oh, three o' clock in the mornin', baby
Can't even close my eyes
Well, I can't find my baby
Lord, and I can't be satisfied
Lord, I've looked around me
Whoa, my baby can't be found
Whoa, looked all around me, people
Whoa, my baby can't be found
Well, if I don't find my baby
I'm goin' down to the boilin' ground, that's where the mens hang out
Well, I'm bound to find her
Yeah
Come here, baby
Well, goodbye, everybody
Lord, I believe this is the end
Oh, goodbye, everybody
Lord, I believe this is the end
Well, you can tell my baby
To forgive me for my sins
The lyrics to B.B. King's Three O'Clock Blues convey the feeling of heartache and the desperation that comes with not being able to find a loved one. The singer is awake at three in the morning, unable to close his eyes, lamenting that he cannot find his baby and as a result, cannot be satisfied. He looks around him, but his baby is nowhere to be found, and this drives him to consider going to places like the boilin' ground where men hang out. The song ends on a somber note, with the singer resigning himself to his predicament, saying goodbye to everybody because he believes this could be the end. He also appeals to whoever will see his baby to ask for forgiveness for his past mistakes.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of lost love, and the feelings of hurt and longing that come with it. B.B. King's delivery is impeccable, and one can easily connect with the emotional intensity that is communicated through the song. The song also touches on the frustrations and desperation that can come with searching for a loved one, and the hopelessness that will often come when that search proves futile.
Line by Line Meaning
Now here it is three o' clock in the mornin'
It's currently 3 AM
Can't even close my eyes
I can't fall asleep
Oh, three o' clock in the mornin', baby
Addressing his lover who is not present with him
Well, I can't find my baby
He doesn't know where his lover is
Lord, and I can't be satisfied
He's unhappy without his lover
Lord, I've looked around me
He's searched everywhere
Whoa, my baby can't be found
Still can't find his lover
Whoa, looked all around me, people
Asking people around to help him
Well, if I don't find my baby
He needs to find his lover
I'm goin' down to the boilin' ground, that's where the mens hang out
He's gonna go to a busy place to search for his lover
Well, I'm bound to find her
He's determined to find his lover
Yeah
Expression of determination
Well, goodbye, everybody
He's leaving
Lord, I believe this is the end
He thinks his life may end without his lover
Oh, goodbye, everybody
Confirmation that he's leaving
Well, you can tell my baby
He has a message for his lover
To forgive me for my sins
He's acknowledging his mistakes and asking for forgiveness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jules Bihari, Riley B. King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cheryljohn4257
My moma loved BB! As I listen to this song… mind you I am not crying(I am surprised) my moma passed on one month ago! Thank you “Suga” for introducing me to the blues! My moma was so classy!💔
@ChrisChurton
Shows you don't have to shred a guitar lick to play great guitar. It's all about the feel and soul you put in.
@VNCV96
However this is way harder than shredding.
@idk9637
@Vincenzo Covelli definitely not. I dont even like shred.. but if u seriously believe blues is harder then ur in denial.
@VNCV96
@VonTonSoup no man. Learn your minor scales and you shred up and down the neck, it's that easy. But for this kind of phrasing there Is a lot more. Playing over the changes with the right feel and with a extremelly soulful touch. This needs spiritual growth, introspection. This is being an artist at its purest form, without any sort of taking the easy way of speed ostentation, without fake virtuosism. Try and then tell me.
@dylanmorgan6053
@Vincenzo Covelli couldnt have said it better myself
@VNCV96
@Dylan Morgan thanks man!
@babscabs1987
Rest in Peace. You changed the world!
@ishakriah9897
How?
@iyaharris1171
google it