One of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with B.B. King and Freddie King), Albert King stood 6' 4", weighed 250 lbs and was known as "The Velvet Bulldozer". He was born Albert Nelson on a cotton plantation in Indianola, Mississippi. During his childhood he would sing at a family gospel group at a church. One of 13 children, King grew up picking cotton on plantations near Forrest City, Arkansas where the family moved when he was eight years old. He began his professional work as a musician with a group called In The Groove Boys in Osceola, Arkansas. He had also briefly played drums for Jimmy Reed's band and on several early Reed recordings. Influenced by blues musicians Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lonnie Johnson, but also interestingly Hawaiian music, the electric guitar became his signature instrument, his preference being the Gibson Flying V, which he named "Lucy".
King was a left-handed "upside-down/backwards" guitarist. He was left-handed, but usually played right-handed guitars flipped over upside-down so the low E string was on the bottom. In later years he played a custom-made guitar that was basically left-handed, but had the strings reversed (as he was used to playing). He also used very unorthodox tunings (i.e., tuning as low as C to allow him to make sweeping string bends). Some believe that he was using open E minor tuning (C-B-E-G-B-E) or open F tuning (C-F-C-F-A-D). A "less is more" type blues player, he was known for his expressive "bending" of notes, a technique characteristic of blues guitarists.
He recorded his first record in 1953 for Parrot Records in Chicago, but it had no impact. His first minor hit came in 1959 with Lonely Man written by Bobbin Records A&R man and fellow guitar hero Little Milton, responsible for King's signing with the label. However, it was not until his 1961 release Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong that he had a major hit, reaching number fourteen on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart. In 1966 he signed with the Stax record label. Produced by Al Jackson, Jr., King with Booker T. & the MG's recorded dozens of influential sides, such as Crosscut Saw and As The Years Go Passing By, and in 1967 Stax released the album, Born Under a Bad Sign. The title track of that album (written by Booker T. Jones and William Bell) became King's best known songs and has been covered by many other artists.
Another landmark album followed in Live Wire/Blues Power from one of many dates King played at promoter Bill Graham's Fillmore venues. It had a wide and long-term influence on Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson, and later Gary Moore and Stevie Ray Vaughan (Criminal World, on David Bowie's 1983 release Let's Dance, features a guitar solo copied note-for-note from his hero Albert King by young session musician Stevie Ray Vaughan).
In the 1970s, King was teamed with members of The Bar-Kays and The Movement (Isaac Hayes's backing group), including bassist James Alexander and drummer Willie Hall adding strong funk elements to his music. Adding strings and multiple rhythm guitarists, producers Allen Jones and Henry Bush created a wall of sound that contrasted the sparse, punchy records King made with Booker T. & the MG's. Among these was another of King's signature tunes with I'll Play the Blues For You in 1972.
Recorded in December 1983, In Session captures an in-concert jam between Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan
As he hit his mid-sixties King began to muse about retirement, not unreasonable given that he had health problems. Nevertheless, when near to death, he was planning yet another overseas tour.
King died on December 21, 1992 from a heart attack in Memphis, Tennessee.
I'll Play the Blues for You
Albert King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on over to the place where I live
And all your loneliness I'll try to soothe
I'll play the blues for you
Don't be afraid come on in
You might run across some of your old friends
All your loneliness I gotta soothe
I got no big name and I ain't no big star
I play the blues for you on my guitar
All your loneliness I'll try to soothe
I 'll play the blues for you
The lyrics to Albert King's "I'll Play The Blues For You" convey a message of comfort and solace to someone who is feeling down and out. The singer invites the listener to come to his home, where he promises to play the blues on his guitar and "try to soothe" the listener's loneliness. The repetition of "I'll play the blues for you" at the end of each verse is a powerful and reassuring statement of the singer's intention to provide emotional support through his music.
The first verse of the song is particularly poignant, as it describes the pain that the listener is feeling. The use of the phrase "real hurt" emphasizes the depth of the listener's emotions, and the invitation to come to the singer's home suggests that the listener may be feeling isolated and alone. However, the second verse offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer not only promises to soothe the listener's loneliness but also suggests that the listener may find comfort in the company of old friends.
In addition to its emotional resonance, "I'll Play The Blues For You" is notable for its musical qualities. The slow, soulful blues groove is impeccably executed, with King's distinctive guitar playing and soulful vocals leading the way. The song's lyrics are simple but effective, conveying a message of empathy and understanding that is universal in its appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're down and out and you feel real hurt
If you are feeling low and troubled
Come on over to the place where I live
Visit my home
And all your loneliness I'll try to soothe
I will attempt to alleviate your loneliness
I'll play the blues for you
I will perform blues music for you
Don't be afraid come on in
Do not hesitate, enter my home
You might run across some of your old friends
There is a possibility you will see some familiar faces
All your loneliness I gotta soothe
I must make an effort to comfort you
I'll play the blues for you
I will perform blues music for you
I got no big name and I ain't no big star
I am not well-known or famous
I play the blues for you on my guitar
I perform blues music on my guitar for you
All your loneliness I'll try to soothe
I will attempt to alleviate your loneliness
I 'll play the blues for you
I will perform blues music for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY MARLON BEACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@murrayhinde4368
"When you're down and out
And you feel real hurt
Come on over
To the place where I work
All your loneliness
I'll try to soothe
I'll play the blues for you" – Albert King - I love his voice and that guitar
@JohnBarrylizard
This is amazing. His guitar tone is fantastic. Voice is smooth.
@SG-ny9bl
Real player type
@tonyfischer6994
This is a powerful song. Makes me miss loved ones. Made me pick up the bass guitar.
@NothingMaster
A blues treasure.
@dk-sky3820
The best thing about learning blues is that you embark on the journey of closely listening and studying the best music in the world from the legends. But you got to listen with your soul more than your ears
@gilldanier4129
Thats really true
@tazador793
Wow, good advice
@edsonaugusto5389
a very peaceful, relaxing and inspiring sound
@giojikia6828
I am 14 years old and I love Blues so much. I love B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Eric Clapton and Many Others. About a week ago I listened to this song and I was like out of my mind. Albert King is a true Blues Legend and no matter what kind of mood I have, I always enjoy Blues! ❤
@55cleon
You Have Excellent Taste Young Man 👌🏿!!