My Own Fault
B.B. King Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's my own fault, baby
Treat me the way you want to do
It's my own fault, baby
Treat me the way you want to do
Yes, at the time, you were loving me, baby
At that time, little girl, I didn't love you

Used to make your own pay checks, baby
And bring them all home to me
I'd go out on the hillside, you know
And make every woman, good girl seen
It's my own fault, baby
Treat me the way you want to do
Yes, at the time, you were loving me, baby
At that time, little girl, I didn't love you

Yes, you used to be here with me, baby
But now you're running around with the boys
You said you were gonna leave me
You're gonna be over in Illinois
And it's my own fault, baby
Treat me the way you want to do
Yes, at the time, you were loving me, baby
At that time, little girl, I wouldn't be true

Yes, fall on my knees
Raise up my right hand
Yes, I would do better, baby but I
Just don't understand
It's my own fault, baby
Treat me the way you wanna do




Yes, at the time you were loving me, woman
At that time, little girl, I wouldn't be true

Overall Meaning

In this song, B.B. King is essentially admitting that he has brought his current situation upon himself. He acknowledges that he was not truthful with his partner, and that he did not reciprocate her love when she was showing it to him. He even goes so far as to say that he would try to do better, but that he just doesn't understand why he acts the way that he does.


The first stanza of the song sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. King tells his lover that it's his own fault that she is treating him poorly. He essentially acknowledges that he mistreated her in the past, and that he deserves the treatment that he's receiving now. He further goes on to say that when she was showing him affection, he didn't love her in return.


The second verse gives a glimpse into the past relationship between King and his lover. She used to bring home money to him, and he would go out and be with other women. He is essentially telling her that he was unfaithful and disloyal to her, and that he must now bear the consequences of that.


In the final verse, King laments the current situation. He is saddened that his partner is no longer with him, and that she is now "running around with the boys". He admits that he was not true to her when he had the chance, but that he would do better if given the opportunity. Essentially, the song is an admission of guilt on King's part, and a plea for forgiveness and a chance at redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

It's my own fault, baby
I am responsible for the way you treat me


Treat me the way you want to do
You have the freedom to treat me however you like


Yes, at the time, you were loving me, baby
You used to love me in the past


At that time, little girl, I didn't love you
But at that time, I did not reciprocate those feelings


Used to make your own pay checks, baby
You used to earn your own money


And bring them all home to me
And you would give them all to me


I'd go out on the hillside, you know
But I would go out and cheat on you


And make every woman, good girl seen
And I would be with every woman, even the ones who were considered good girls


Yes, you used to be here with me, baby
You used to be by my side


But now you're running around with the boys
But now you are out socializing with other people


You said you were gonna leave me
You had stated you were going to end our relationship


You're gonna be over in Illinois
And you plan to move to Illinois


And it's my own fault, baby
I take responsibility for this situation


Yes, fall on my knees
I am willing to humble myself before you


Raise up my right hand
I vow to do better


Yes, I would do better, baby but I
I want to make things right, but


Just don't understand
I do not comprehend how to fix what I have done wrong




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JULES BIHARI, RILEY B. KING

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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