Night Life
B.B. King; Willie Nelson Lyrics
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Yeah, you'll find me hangin' around
Because the night life
It ain't no good life but it's my life
Yeah, yeah, yeah listen to the blues
Listen to what they're sayin'
Oh, please listen to the blues
Ah, ah, all of the people just like you and me
They're all dreamin' about their old used to be
Because the night life
It ain't no good life but it's my life
They tell me life's an empty scene
An avenue of broken dreams
Because the night life
It ain't no good life but it's my life
Sure, I'd be happy to break down the lyrics to Willie Nelson's "Night Life" as interpreted by B.B. King. The song speaks to the idea of finding comfort and solace in a less-than-ideal situation. The first stanza captures the essence of the song as the singer suggests that despite the fact that the night life is not necessarily a good life, it's still his life. He's resigned to the fact that this is how things are and chooses to embrace it.
The second stanza brings in the blues, which is a perfect fit for this song as the blues genre often deals with themes of heartache, longing, and difficult times. B.B. King, known as the "King of the Blues," was a perfect fit for this song as his emotive guitar playing drew from the same traditions as Willie Nelson's songwriting. The singer urges the listener to listen to the blues and take comfort in them. This is a common thread in much of B.B. King's music as well, as he often speaks to the idea of finding solace in the music.
The third stanza touches on the idea of nostalgia and looking back at what once was. The singer suggests that everyone, including himself, is dreaming about their old used to be, a time when things were perhaps easier or more enjoyable. However, despite this wistfulness, the night life remains the reality for so many people.
The final stanza speaks to the idea that life is often difficult and filled with disappointments. It can feel like an "avenue of broken dreams." Despite this fact, the singer is still choosing to embrace the night life, suggesting that even if it's not the best life, it's still his to live.
Line by Line Meaning
When that ev'nin' sun goes down
As soon as the sun sets in the evening
Yeah, you'll find me hangin' around
You'll see me staying in the same place
Because the night life
The lifestyle during the night
It ain't no good life but it's my life
This lifestyle may not be ideal, but it's the one I choose for myself
Yeah, yeah, yeah listen to the blues
I implore you to pay attention to the blues music
Listen to what they're sayin'
Hear the message that the musicians are conveying
Oh, please listen to the blues
I beseech you to give the blues music a chance
Listen to the blues they're playin'
Pay attention to the sound of the blues instruments
Ah, ah, all of the people just like you and me
All of the individuals, including myself, daydream about their past experiences
They're all dreamin' about their old used to be
Everyone has nostalgic memories of their past
They tell me life's an empty scene
People inform me that life is pointless
An avenue of broken dreams
A path filled with unfulfilled aspirations
Because the night life
The lifestyle during the night
It ain't no good life but it's my life
This lifestyle may not be ideal, but it's the one I choose for myself
Lyrics © GLAD MUSIC CO., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Buskirk, Walt Breeland, Willie Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@las0rts781
Stunningly good version of this song. BB King and Willie Nelson ...just two of the wonderful creative talents who gave and still give so much to humanity.
@warrendoris9669
Just another scene from the world of broken dreams! I got nothing to say to beat that! SALUTE WILLIE. R I P B B.
@SmorezNPebblez
Love these 2 men and their music.Thank you Willie and BB
@juggalomemphis
im not but 29 years old and i grew up listening to B.B. King and Willie Nelson, my father is huge Willie Nelson fan, and i grew up in Memphis, TN and B.B. King was a common show to go and watch with most of my friends...
@fordlady5684
I remember when my father n law bought both recordings of this. The work was quite exhaustive writing and making notes on both singers but the results were awesome. My father n law played like Willie and sang it like B.B King. Memories like this are always with us to be carried on in time through generations.
@tonyaroberts8193
My first memories of Willie was on an ole battery operated radio......sittin on top of the ole chicken house. Reception was better......Night Life !!!!!! Was life changing.....we finally got records n side B Rainy Day Blues ..... lmfao ain't nuttin like Willie. Tjt
@mic982
A nice pairing this. B.B. recorded and played with just about anyone worthy in the music world, and that was a lot of people. He was a real gentleman, a product of his humble beginnings and a genuine human being.
@mic982
+Mic Tod
ps: I wonder which guitar is older, Willy's or Lucille? It's obvious which one was taken better care of! LOL
@tuxguys
Willie's composition...
Originally recorded by each of them before either were household names.
Two iconic voices, two iconic guitar stylings (Lucille and Trigger, take a bow!), doing a tune that is inextricably associated with both of them, near the end of both of their astonishing careers.
Musical Mt. Rushmore.
@arianm5421
Willie is 80 years old! man i hope he stays around for a while...