Don't Have to Cry
B.B. King Lyrics


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Whoa, baby
You don't have ta go

Whoa, baby
You don't have ta go

I'm gonna pack up darlin'
Down the road I go

Well now, I give you all my money
Then ya go downtown,
an' you get back in the evenin'
Told me, walked down town

Whoa baby, you don't have ta go
I'm gonna pack up darlin'
Down the road I go

Whoa baby, honey what's wrong which' you?




Whoa baby, honey what's wrong which' you?
Well you don't treat me darlin', like you used to do

Overall Meaning

In B.B. King's "Don't Have to Cry", the singer is addressing their partner, trying to convince them not to leave. The opening lines "Whoa, baby / You don't have ta go" repeat throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's plea. They are willing to leave, saying "I'm gonna pack up darlin' / Down the road I go", but they don't want their partner to feel like they have to leave in order to feel happy or free.


The singer has given their partner all their money but feels neglected as their partner spends time downtown instead of with them. They point out the change in the way their partner treats them, asking "Whoa baby, honey what's wrong which' you?" The repeated refrain seems to imply that the singer is willing to walk away, but wants their partner to make the decision to stay on their own.


Line by Line Meaning

Whoa, baby
Expressing surprise or amazement


You don't have ta go
You don't have to leave


I'm gonna pack up darlin' Down the road I go
I am going to leave and travel somewhere else


Well now, I give you all my money Then ya go downtown, an' you get back in the evenin' Told me, walked down town
I gave you my money, but you go out and spend it instead of staying with me


Whoa baby, honey what's wrong which' you?
Asking what is wrong with you, my dear


Well you don't treat me darlin', like you used to do
You don't treat me the way you used to, my love




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JIMMY REED

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on Always On My Mind

Here's BB King's Version - Lyrics

Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I should have
Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I could have

If I made you feel second best
Girl I'm sorry I was blind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
I guess I never told you
That I am so happy that you're mine
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
You were always on my mind
ou were always on my mind

If I made you feel second best
Girl I'm sorry I was blind

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance
To satisfied
I'll keep you satisfied

Musical Interlude

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance
To satisfied
I'll keep you satisfied

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