Lee first experienced commercial success as the lead guitarist with Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds. Quitting the Thunderbirds in 1968, Lee joined Heads Hands & Feet in 1969 until the breakup in 1973.
In 1974 Lee left the UK for Los Angeles, California, and joined The Crickets through his friend bassist Rick Grech (of Blind Faith). The band cut three albums together including A Long Way From Lubbock. By then Lee was receiving many offers of session work. In 1976, Lee was asked to join Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, replacing one of his heroes, James Burton, who was returning to perform with Elvis Presley. Starting in 1978, Lee worked for five years with Eric Clapton, playing and singing for a live concert recording at the Budokan in Japan.
Lee was responsible for The Everly Brothers 1983 reunion concert and was its musical director. He played regularly with the Everlys for over twenty years.
In 1987, Lee was invited by Gerry Hogan to headline at a steel guitar festival in Newbury, Berkshire. Lee was at first intimidated by the prospect of having to front a band, however, the gig was successful and he now tours with Hogan's Heroes on a regular basis.
A new Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes album entitled Like This was released in spring 2008 to coincide with their European tour. Lee continues to work in the studio and tours on a regular basis with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.
Blue Side of Town
Albert Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tears in my eyes
Why must I always
Be the one that's left with pride
You say it's over
You don't want me around
Well I'm leavin' you baby
For the blue side of town
Well there's a honky tonk
Where the lights are low
And they play the saddest songs
Dark shadows fall like broken dreams
On the lost and lonely ones
And there's heartbreak hotel
Yes I know it well
I hang around
Blue side of town
You think I'm lonely
Well that's for sure
But don't worry baby
I've been there before
And if you need me
Well, I can be found
Hiding my heartache
On the blue side of town
Well there's a honky tonk
Where the lights are low
And they play the saddest songs
Dark shadows fall like broken dreams
On the lost and lonely ones
And there's heartbreak hotel
Yes I know it well
I hang around
Blue side of town
My hearts forsaken
You've been untrue
It hurts me baby
But I know just what to do
I'll pack my suitcase
And I'll see you around
Take all my troubles
To the blue side of town
Well there's a honky tonk
Where the lights are low
And they play the saddest songs
Dark shadows fall like broken dreams
On the lost and lonely ones
And there's heartbreak hotel
Yes I know it well
I hang around
Blue side of town
I hang around
Blue side of town
The song tells the story of heartbreak and moving on to the “blue side of town” which refers to the place where the lost and lonely go to escape and heal their broken hearts. The first stanza expresses the feelings of sadness and hurt that come with a breakup. The singer is left with tears in their eyes and a wounded pride after being told that their relationship is over. Rather than beg or plead for their lover to stay, the singer decides to leave and seek solace in the blue side of town.
The blue side of town is described as a place where the lights are low and sad songs play. The singer acknowledges that it is a place for the lost and lonely, but it is where they need to be to deal with their heartbreak. The second stanza highlights the singer’s familiarity with this world. They know Heartbreak Hotel well and have spent time hiding their heartache here before. In the chorus, the singer again emphasizes the atmosphere of the blue side of town and the shadows of broken dreams that fall on those who find themselves there.
The final stanza finds the singer packing their suitcase and departing with a brave face, knowing that they will find what they need on the blue side of town. They leave their heartache behind and move forward with the hope of a brighter future. Ultimately, the song is a story of resilience and the ability to move on after heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Rain on my window
It's raining outside and I am sitting alone by my window.
Tears in my eyes
My eyes are wet with tears, probably because of a breakup.
Why must I always Be the one that's left with pride
I am a prideful person who always tries to exit a relationship with dignity.
You say it's over You don't want me around
My partner has broken up with me and doesn't want me to be around them anymore.
Well I'm leavin' you baby For the blue side of town
I am leaving and going to the blue side of town where I can find solace in music and alcohol.
Well there's a honky tonk Where the lights are low
I am describing a seedy bar where people go to forget their woes.
And they play the saddest songs Dark shadows fall like broken dreams On the lost and lonely ones
The music that is played in the bar is melancholic and speaks to the sadness of the patrons who are there.
And there's heartbreak hotel Yes I know it well I hang around Blue side of town
There is a nightclub called Heartbreak Hotel that I am familiar with and I go there often to drown my sorrows.
You think I'm lonely Well that's for sure But don't worry baby I've been there before
I am lonely, but I have been in this situation before and I know how to deal with it.
And if you need me Well, I can be found Hiding my heartache On the blue side of town
If my ex-partner ever needs to find me, they can come to the blue side of town where I will be hiding my heartache.
My hearts forsaken You've been untrue It hurts me baby But I know just what to do
My ex-partner has been unfaithful and it hurts me deeply, but I know what I need to do to move on.
I'll pack my suitcase And I'll see you around Take all my troubles To the blue side of town
I will pack my bags and leave, taking all of my troubles with me to the blue side of town where I can find comfort in familiar surroundings.
I hang around Blue side of town
I spend a lot of time on the blue side of town as it is a place where I feel comfortable and understood.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HANK DEVITO, PAUL KENNERLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
idgievid
This guy is phenomenal. I've had the priviledge of seeing him live on a few occasions and even meeting him once. He's the most unassuming guy, so nice and down to earth for a guy with such an amazing talent. This was a great vid.
pettsonse
Had the opporrunity bo meet him once, between sets.
The nicest and most helpful guy you'd ever come across...
John Proctor
When are people going to give this guy the recognition he deserves. Absolutely amazing. God bless you Albert!
William Price
Obviously his playing is incredible, but this is just such a phenomenal song! I love the vocal harmonies.
barry harding
So under rated. One of the greatest guitarist without a huge ego.
Jean-Paul Derrée
Please stop with « most underrated » or « the GOAT » !! You can see this kind of comment on any video of a famous artist. In the end of the day, are they all underrated or all GOAT ? Ridiculous. And I love Albert Lee ...
barry harding
@Jean-Paul Derrée easy tiger!
11Kralle
There's obviously no time for Albert Lee to maintain a huge ego...
rodrigo neuman
there you go. the mandatory "underrated" comment present on every youtube video lol
William Jordan
Guitarists*