Teach You How to Sing the Blues
Motörhead Lyrics
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Who do you think you are?
Just a clown in a one horse town
In a broke down second-hand car
Can you still get it up
Or are we pushing too hard?
If you wanna get your hands on a beautiful girl
You gotta use a Mastercard
There's no excuse for bullshit
So don't try to feed me none
You better shake some action
Bring it on, bring it on
You don't like the way we speak
You don't like it when you lose
You shouldn't be sad, don't get mad
Or we gonna teach you how to sing the blues
Get on your horse and ride
Where shall we go today?
Let's go to a place I know
Where the speed freaks babble all day
Can you still talk dirty
Or are you gonna be mean?
If you ever speak to a beautiful girl
She'll laugh you right out of your jeans
There's no reason we should listen
Why do you talk so much?
You better bite your finger
Bring it up, bring it up
You don't like the way we fight
You don't have a fucking clue
You won't be great, but don't be late
Or we're gonna teach you how to sing the blues
There's nothing out here for you
Why did you wait so long?
You better shake your moneymaker
Bring it on, bring it on
You don't like the way we laugh
At you and your retro shoes
Don't be a heel, or an imbecile
Or we gonna teach you how to sing the blues
You ain't gonna be no hero
'Cos you ain't got nothin' to lose
So move it out and shut your mouth
Or we're gonna teach you how to sing the blues
Teach you how to sing the blues
Motörhead's "Teach You How to Sing the Blues" is a swaggering, no-holds-barred rock anthem that shows the band at its most self-assured and confrontational. The lyrics are directed at an unnamed individual who thinks they're better than everyone else and needs a lesson in humility. The song opens with the lines "Come down off your high horse / Who do you think you are?", immediately establishing an aggressive tone that doesn't let up for the duration of the track.
Throughout the song, Motörhead's vocalist, the late Lemmy Kilmister, delivers scathing put-downs with a sneering, gravelly delivery. He takes aim at the subject's lack of sexual prowess ("Can you still get it up / Or are we pushing too hard?"), their taste in fashion ("You don't like the way we laugh / At you and your retro shoes"), and their general attitude towards life ("You don't have a fucking clue").
The chorus of the song is a taunting invitation to the subject to try and match wits with Motörhead: "You don't like the way we speak / You don't like it when you lose / You shouldn't be sad, don't get mad / Or we gonna teach you how to sing the blues." The phrase "teach you how to sing the blues" is used throughout the song as a threat, implying that if the subject doesn't fall in line, Motörhead will make them regret it.
Overall, "Teach You How to Sing the Blues" is a classic example of Motörhead's no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners style of rock music. The band's raw energy and attitude come through loud and clear, making the song a favorite among their fans and a testament to their enduring appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
Come down off your high horse
Stop acting superior and condescending
Who do you think you are?
You're not as important as you think you are
Just a clown in a one horse town
You're insignificant and unimportant in the grand scheme of things
In a broke down second-hand car
Your situation is poor and desperate
Can you still get it up
Are you still able to perform sexually?
Or are we pushing too hard?
Are we expecting too much from you?
If you wanna get your hands on a beautiful girl
If you want to attract a beautiful girl
You gotta use a Mastercard
You need money and status to attract a beautiful girl
There's no excuse for bullshit
Don't try to deceive or manipulate me
So don't try to feed me none
Don't try to fool me
You better shake some action
You should take action to improve your situation
Bring it on, bring it on
Let's see what you've got
You don't like the way we speak
You're offended by our language
You don't like it when you lose
You're a sore loser
You shouldn't be sad, don't get mad
You shouldn't be upset, don't become angry
Or we gonna teach you how to sing the blues
We'll teach you a lesson you won't forget
Get on your horse and ride
Take action and do something
Where shall we go today?
What should we do today?
Let's go to a place I know
Let's go somewhere I'm familiar with
Where the speed freaks babble all day
Where drug addicts talk aimlessly
Can you still talk dirty
Are you still able to talk provocatively?
Or are you gonna be mean?
Will you respond with hostility?
If you ever speak to a beautiful girl
If you ever approach an attractive woman
She'll laugh you right out of your jeans
She'll reject you and make fun of you
There's no reason we should listen
You have nothing valuable to say
Why do you talk so much?
You're talking too much without saying anything useful
You better bite your finger
You should be quiet and listen
Bring it up, bring it up
Let's hear your argument
You don't like the way we fight
You're offended by our aggressive behavior
You don't have a fucking clue
You have no idea what you're talking about
You won't be great, but don't be late
You're not going to impress anyone, but don't waste our time
Or we're gonna teach you how to sing the blues
We'll show you how to behave properly
There's nothing out here for you
You don't belong here
Why did you wait so long?
Why did you procrastinate?
You better shake your moneymaker
You should use your assets to your advantage
You don't like the way we laugh
You're offended by our sense of humor
At you and your retro shoes
At your outdated and unfashionable style
Don't be a heel, or an imbecile
Don't be obnoxious or foolish
Or we gonna teach you how to sing the blues
We'll put you in your place
You ain't gonna be no hero
You're not going to be a savior or a champion
'Cos you ain't got nothin' to lose
Because you have nothing to gain from trying
So move it out and shut your mouth
Leave and be quiet
Or we're gonna teach you how to sing the blues
We'll make sure you regret your foolishness
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ian Kilmister, Philip Campbell, Micael Delaoglou
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind