I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living
B.B. King Lyrics


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I've got a good mind to give up living, and go shopping
Instead
I say, I've got a good mind to give up living, and go
Shopping instead
To pick up me a tombstone, and be pronounced dead

When I read your letter this morning, that was in your
Place in bed
I read your letter this morning, that was in your place
In bed
And that's when I decided, that I would be better off
Dead

It read, there is no use you looking, or ever hoping to
Get me back
Oh, there's no use you looking, or ever hoping to get me
Back




Yes, because it's all over now, and baby you can bet on
That

Overall Meaning

The song I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living by B.B. King is a blues song about a man who has been betrayed by his lover and has decided to give up living. The lines "I've got a good mind to give up living and go shopping instead" suggest that the singer has given up all hope in life and is looking for an alternate way out. The suggestion to go shopping is ironic because it is such a mundane and everyday activity, whereas the singer's situation is anything but mundane. The singer then decides to "pick up me a tombstone, and be pronounced dead," which implies that he wants to break free from the pain and agony of living.


The second verse of the song reveals that the singer has received a letter from his lover that has made him feel even more depressed. He reads the letter that was in his lover's place in bed, probably because she is gone, and the letter confirms that she has left him for good. The lines "And that's when I decided that I would be better off dead" indicate that the singer is completely shattered by this news and has lost all faith in life. The lyrics reveal that the singer's lover has made it clear that there is no point in hoping to get her back, and "it's all over now."


Line by Line Meaning

I've got a good mind to give up living, and go shopping
I am contemplating ending my life and replacing it with a mundane activity like shopping.


I say, I've got a good mind to give up living, and go Shopping instead
I am reinforcing the idea that living has become too difficult and unfulfilling.


To pick up me a tombstone, and be pronounced dead
I intend to purchase my own tombstone to solidify my decision and be considered officially dead.


When I read your letter this morning, that was in your Place in bed
I discovered your letter lying in your usual spot in bed this morning.


I read your letter this morning, that was in your place In bed
I took the opportunity to read your letter since you weren't there to catch me.


And that's when I decided, that I would be better off Dead
Your letter was the final straw that convinced me that my life is no longer worth living.


It read, there is no use you looking, or ever hoping to Get me back
Your letter bluntly told me that there is no chance of us ever reconciling or rekindling our relationship.


Oh, there's no use you looking, or ever hoping to get me Back
I agree with your sentiment and accept that our relationship is irreparable.


Yes, because it's all over now, and baby you can bet on That
This is the end for us and there is no point in denying it. You can be sure that I won't try to win you back.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CARL B. ADAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@robertcampbell7997

I've got a good mind to give up living, and go shopping
Instead
I say, I've got a good mind to give up living, and go
Shopping instead
To pick up me a tombstone, and be pronounced dead

When I read your letter this morning, that was in your
Place in bed
I read your letter this morning, that was in your place
In bed
And that's when I decided, that I would be better off
Dead

It read, there is no use you looking, or ever hoping to
Get me back
Oh, there's no use you looking, or ever hoping to get me
Back
Yes, because it's all over now, and baby you can bet on
That



@papaldanondo

Tengo buena memoria ...

Tengo una buena memoria para renunciar a la vida,
he ir de compras en su lugar.
Yo digo, tengo buena memoria para renunciar a la vida,
he ir de compras en su lugar.
Recoger una lápida y ser declarado muerto.

Cuando leí tu carta esta mañana
que estaba en tu lugar en la cama.
Leí su carta esta mañana
que estaba en tu lugar en la cama.
Y ahí es cuando decidí,
que estaría mejor muerto.

Decía, no hay necesidad que tu busques,
ni nunca la esperanza de hacerme volver
Oh, no hay necesidad que tu busques, ,
ni nunca la esperanza de hacerme volver
Sí, porque todo ha terminado ahora,
y puedes cariño apostar por eso.



All comments from YouTube:

@Irockthere4

Two years later Peter Green would take this BB King gem to another level.

@b9r4u7no

If more people see this video, the world would be a better place to live

@paititi

All three versions are fabulous: BB's original, FM/Peter Green's tour d' force, and Bloomfield's/Butterfield's masterpiece.

@dailydoseofblues7708

Bloomfield live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8GZUZavklw
Butterfield with David Sanborn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDTecSVyvuo

@SuperMCFIVE

I second that emotion

@SuperMCFIVE

The Blues keeps me alive

@stealthsadhu306

And how great all three are at our fingertips for free- thank you YouTube.

@lewisdalven1802

This is B.B. at his absolute BEST, which is saying something.  I haven't heard Greenie's version, but Mike Bloomfield's solo on this tune on East/West is gets my vote as the most masterful blues solo ever recorded! But I'm going to listen to PG now...

@robomaster4882

After the Bloomfield solo where Paul comes back in and sings the next verse Bloomfield plays three notes in response. Those notes are just dripping with feeling and soul that cannot be taught. It sounds like the guitar itself is in emotional pain. The way they are played cannot be duplicated by reading sheet music by even the most skillful guitar players.

@briantaylor2.023

The original version by BB King (this video) has the most soul, but Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac’s version has BY FAR the most masterful guitar work of all 3 of the versions of this song. Peter is CRIMINALLY underrated! Back in his day, he was called “better than Clapton” by MANY!

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