In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Ain't Got Nothing But the Blues
Asleep At The Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't got no bounce in my shoes
Ain′t got no fancy footwork no more
I ain't got nothing but the blues
Ain't got no coffee brewing
Ain′t got no feelings to bruise
Don′t have a dream that is working no more
The band is swinging
The folks are singing
I just can′t let my hair down
Believe me, Pruitt
There ain't nothing to it
Since my little baby, she done left this town
Ain′t got no rest in my sleep
I don't have no winnings to lose
Ain′t got no telephone number no more
I ain't got nothing but the blues
Play the blues
Ain't got no tar for my pickup truck
Ain′t got no soles on my shoes
Ain′t got no date for the Saturday night
I ain't got nothing but the blues
Ain′t got no horse for my saddle
Ain't got no spurs for my boots
Ain′t got no reins to hold on to no more
I ain't got nothing but the blues
The band is stomping
Man, they′re really romping
I'm sittin' all by my self
Believe me, Bridget
I just can′t get with it
Since my little darling put me back on the shell
I ain′t got no cash in my pocket
Ain't got my name in who′s who
So broke, I can't pay attention no more
I ain′t got nothing
I ain't got nothing
I ain′t got nothing but the blues, oh Lord (ha-ha)
The lyrics of Asleep at the Wheel's Ain't Got Nothing But the Blues are an expression of the blues, a feeling of being down and out. The singer laments his current situation, saying that he doesn't have enough change for a nickel, nor any energy left in his shoes. He continues to convey his sad reality by saying he has no dreams or feelings that work anymore. The lyrics also reveal that he has no one to call, no rest for his sleep, and no fortunes to be won or lost. He is entirely broke and has lost everything, except the blues. Despite this, the band is swinging, and the people around him are singing, making his situation all the more poignant.
Throughout the song, the lyrics reveal a sense of abandonment and hopelessness, intensified by the upbeat nature of the melody. The addition of references to a lack of a date on a Saturday night, a horse for his saddle, or tar for his pickup truck highlights the singer's overwhelming sense of depression. Even the mention of a coffee brewing creates a sense of frustration because he cannot enjoy it. The climax of the song reveals that the singer's blues are due to the fact that his little baby has left town, leaving him with nothing but the blues.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain′t got the change for a nickel
I am financially unstable and cannot afford small expenses.
Ain't got no bounce in my shoes
I lack energy and enthusiasm in life.
Ain′t got no fancy footwork no more
I have lost my skill or talent in dancing.
I ain't got nothing but the blues
I am struggling in life and feeling sad and hopeless.
Ain't got no coffee brewing
I have no source of comfort and energy to face the day.
Ain′t got no feelings to bruise
I am emotionally detached and numb.
Don′t have a dream that is working no more
The aspiration I once had is no longer feasible.
The band is swinging
The orchestra is playing rhythmically and energetically.
The folks are singing
The people around me are enjoying the music and having a good time.
I just can′t let my hair down
I am unable to relax and enjoy myself.
Believe me, Pruitt
I am addressing someone named Pruitt, telling them to trust what I am saying.
There ain't nothing to it
There is no underlying meaning or explanation for my current state of sadness.
Since my little baby, she done left this town
My partner has left, causing me emotional distress.
Ain′t got no rest in my sleep
I cannot find solace or peace even when I am sleeping.
I don't have no winnings to lose
I have no resources, material or otherwise, that I can risk losing.
Ain′t got no telephone number no more
I have lost contact with someone that I used to be close with.
I ain't got nothing but the blues
I am feeling overwhelmed by sadness and hopelessness.
Ain't got no tar for my pickup truck
I lack the resources to maintain my vehicle.
Ain′t got no soles on my shoes
My shoes are in poor condition and lack proper support.
Ain′t got no date for the Saturday night
I have no one to spend time with or go out with.
Ain′t got no horse for my saddle
I do not have what I need to enjoy my leisure activities.
Ain't got no spurs for my boots
I am not able to pursue my hobbies or interests in life.
Ain′t got no reins to hold on to no more
I feel like I have lost control of my life.
The band is stomping
The orchestra is playing energetically with heavy beats.
Man, they′re really romping
The people around me are dancing and having a great time.
I'm sittin' all by my self
I am sitting alone, feeling isolated and disconnected.
Believe me, Bridget
I am addressing someone named Bridget and asking them to take my word for something.
I just can′t get with it
I am not able to participate in the excitement and joy around me.
Since my little darling put me back on the shell
My partner has broken up with me or abandoned me, causing me to feel rejected and hurt.
I ain′t got no cash in my pocket
I am broke and lacking financial resources.
Ain't got my name in who′s who
I am not popular, influential, or recognized by others in any significant way.
So broke, I can't pay attention no more
My financial instability has consumed my thoughts and focus, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
I ain′t got nothing
I have nothing valuable or tangible to offer.
I ain't got nothing
I have lost everything or have nothing left to cling to.
I ain′t got nothing
I feel empty and void of any positive emotion or motivation.
I ain′t got nothing but the blues, oh Lord (ha-ha)
My sadness and hopelessness is all-consuming and unlikely to change anytime soon.
Writer(s): Duke Ellington, Don George
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.