Born as Riley B. King, he began broadcasting his music live on a Memphis radio station called WDIA. At first, he used the name The Peptikon Boy on air, which later was changed to The Beale Street Blues Boy, and then further shortened to just Blues Boy or B.B.
King's first hit on the R&B charts was "Three o'Clock in the Morning" in 1951. He first found success outside the blues market with the 1968 remake of the Roy Hawkins tune, "The Thrill Is Gone", which became a hit on both pop and R&B charts, a rare feat. King's mainstream success continued throughout the 1970s with songs like "To Know You Is to Love You" and "I Like to Live the Love". From 1951 to 1985, King appeared on Billboard's R&B charts seventy-four times.
King continued to record until his 80's, compilations of classic songs with other top artists, and new collaborative material with artists like Eric Clapton.
Further facts:
Early life
King was born in a cabin on a cotton plantation outside of Berclair, Mississippi, to Albert King and Nora Ella Farr on September 16, 1925. In 1930, his father left the family, and his mother married another man. King was raised by his maternal grandmother Elnora Farr in Kilmichael, Mississippi.[8]
As a kid, King sang in the gospel choir at Elkhorn Baptist Church in Kilmichael. It seems that at the age of 12, he purchased his first guitar for $15.00,[8] although another source indicates he was given his first guitar by Bukka White, his mother's first cousin (King's grandmother and White's mother were sisters).[9] In 1943, King left Kilmichael to work as a tractor driver and play guitar with the Famous St. John's Quartet of Inverness, Mississippi, performing at area churches and on WGRM in Greenwood, Mississippi.
In 1946, King followed Bukka White to Memphis, Tennessee. White took him in for the next ten months. However, King shortly returned to Mississippi, where he decided to prepare himself better for the next visit, and returned to West Memphis, Arkansas, two years later in 1948. He performed on Sonny Boy Williamson's radio program on KWEM in West Memphis, where he began to develop an audience. King's appearances led to steady engagements at the Sixteenth Avenue Grill in West Memphis and later to a ten-minute spot on the Memphis radio station WDIA. King's Spot became so popular, it was expanded and became the Sepia Swing Club.
Initially he worked at WDIA as a singer and disc jockey, gaining the nickname Beale Street Blues Boy, which was later shortened to Blues Boy and finally to B.B. It was there that he first met T-Bone Walker. "Once I'd heard him for the first time, I knew I'd have to have [an electric guitar] myself. 'Had' to have one, short of stealing!", he said.
Career
1949–2005
In 1949, King began recording songs under contract with Los Angeles-based RPM Records. Many of King's early recordings were produced by Sam Phillips, who later founded Sun Records. Before his RPM contract, King had debuted on Bullet Records by issuing the single "Miss Martha King" (1949), which did not chart well. "My very first recordings [in 1949] were for a company out of Nashville called Bullet, the Bullet Record Transcription company," King recalls. "I had horns that very first session. I had Phineas Newborn on piano; his father played drums, and his brother, Calvin, played guitar with me. I had Tuff Green on bass, Ben Branch on tenor sax, his brother, Thomas Branch, on trumpet, and a lady trombone player. The Newborn family were the house band at the famous Plantation Inn in West Memphis.
Performing with his famous guitar, Lucille
King assembled his own band; the B.B. King Review, under the leadership of Millard Lee. The band initially consisted of Calvin Owens and Kenneth Sands (trumpet), Lawrence Burdin (alto saxophone), George Coleman (tenor saxophone),[17] Floyd Newman (baritone saxophone), Millard Lee (piano), George Joyner (bass) and Earl Forest and Ted Curry (drums). Onzie Horne was a trained musician elicited as an arranger to assist King with his compositions. By his own admission, he cannot play chords well[18] and always relies on improvisation. This was followed by tours across the USA with performances in major theaters in cities such as Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit and St. Louis, as well as numerous gigs in small clubs and juke joints of the southern US states.
In the winter of 1949, King played at a dance hall in Twist, Arkansas. In order to heat the hall, a barrel half-filled with kerosene was lit, a fairly common practice at the time. During a performance, two men began to fight, knocking over the burning barrel and sending burning fuel across the floor. The hall burst into flames, which triggered an evacuation. Once outside, King realized that he had left his guitar inside the burning building. He entered the blaze to retrieve his beloved instrument, a Gibson hollow electric. The next day, King learned that the two men were fighting over a woman named Lucille. King named that first guitar Lucille, as well as every one he owned since that experience, as a reminder never again to do something as stupid as run into a burning building for a replaceable guitar.
King meanwhile toured the entire "Chitlin' circuit" and 1956 became a record-breaking year, with 342 concerts booked. The same year he founded his own record label, Blues Boys Kingdom, with headquarters at Beale Street in Memphis. There, among other projects, he produced artists such as Millard Lee and Levi Seabury.
In the 1950s, B.B. King became one of the most important names in R&B music, amassing an impressive list of hits including "3 O'Clock Blues",[14] "You Know I Love You," "Woke Up This Morning," "Please Love Me," "When My Heart Beats like a Hammer," "Whole Lotta Love," "You Upset Me Baby," "Every Day I Have the Blues", "Sneakin' Around," "Ten Long Years," "Bad Luck," "Sweet Little Angel", "On My Word of Honor," and "Please Accept My Love." King was extremely busy during this period and made 342 appearances and 3 recording sessions in 1956 alone. In 1962, King signed to ABC-Paramount Records, which was later absorbed into MCA Records, and this hence into his current label, Geffen Records. In November 1964, King recorded the Live at the Regal album at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois.
King won a 1970 Grammy Award for the song "The Thrill Is Gone"; his version became a hit on both the pop and R&B charts, which was rare during that time for an R&B artist. It also gained the number 183 spot in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. He gained further visibility among rock audiences as an opening act on The Rolling Stones' 1969 American Tour. King's mainstream success continued throughout the 1970s with songs like "To Know You is to Love You" and "I Like to Live the Love".
King was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980, and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2004 he was awarded the international Polar Music Prize, given to artists "in recognition of exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music."
B.B. King in concert in France 1989
From the 1980s onward he has continued to maintain a highly visible and active career, appearing on numerous television shows and performing 300 nights a year. In 1988, King reached a new generation of fans with the single "When Love Comes to Town", a collaborative effort between King and the Irish band U2 on their Rattle and Hum album. Also that year King played for the 1988 Republican National Convention at the behest of the notorious Republican operative Lee Atwater. King has remained friendly with the Bush Family ever since and in 1990 was awarded the Presidential Medal of the Arts by George H.W. Bush and the Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2008. In 2000, King teamed up with guitarist Eric Clapton to record Riding With the King. In 1998, King appeared in The Blues Brothers 2000, playing the part of the lead singer of the Louisiana Gator Boys, along with Clapton, Dr. John, Koko Taylor and Bo Diddley.
2006–present: farewell tour and later activities[edit]
On 2006, King went on a "farewell" world tour, although he has been active ever since it ended. partly supported by Northern Irish guitarist Gary Moore, with whom King had previously toured and recorded, including the song "Since I Met You Baby". It started in the UK, and continued with performances in the Montreux Jazz Festival and in Zürich at the Blues at Sunset. During his show in Montreux at the Stravinski Hall he jammed with Joe Sample, Randy Crawford, David Sanborn, Gladys Knight, Lella James, Andre Beeka, Earl Thomas, Stanley Clarke, John McLaughlin, Barbara Hendricks and George Duke. The European leg of the Farewell Tour ended in Luxembourg on September 19, 2006, at the D'Coque Arena (support act: Todd Sharpville). In November and December, King played six times in Brazil.
In June 2006, King was present at a memorial of his first radio broadcast at the Three Deuces Building in Greenwood, Mississippi, where an official marker of the Mississippi Blues Trail was erected. The same month, a groundbreaking was held for a new museum, dedicated to King.[21] in Indianola, Mississippi.[22] The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center opened on September 13, 2008. In late October 2006, he recorded a concert CD and DVD entitled B.B. King: Live at his B.B. King Blues Clubs in Nashville and Memphis. The four-night production featured his regular B.B. King Blues Band and captured his show as he performs it nightly around the world. It was his first live performance recording in 14 years.
B.B. King at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, Ontario (May 2007)
On 2007, King played at Eric Clapton's second Crossroads Guitar Festival (Parts of this performance were subsequently aired in a PBS broadcast and released on the Crossroads II DVD.), contributed the song "Goin' Home", to Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino (with Ivan Neville's DumpstaPhunk), and "One Shoe Blues" to Sandra Boynton's children's album Blue Moo, accompanied by a pair of sock puppets in the video.
In the summer of 2008, King played at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, the Chicago Blues Festival, and at the Monterey Blues Festival. On the winter, King was the closing act at the 51st Grammy Nomination Concert, and played at The Kennedy Center Honors Awards Show; his performance was in honor of actor Morgan Freeman. Also in 2008 he was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame alongside Liza Minnelli and Sir James Galway, and Sirius XM Radio's Bluesville channel was renamed B.B. King's Bluesville.
European Tour 2009, Vienna, July 2009
In Summer 2009, King started a European Tour with concerts in France, Germany, Belgium, Finland and Denmark.
King performed at the Mawazine festival in Rabat, Morocco, on May 27, 2010.[23] In June 2010, King performed at 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival with The Robert Cray Band, Jimmie Vaughan and Eric Clapton. In March 2010, King contributed to Cyndi Lauper's album Memphis Blues, which was released on June 22, 2010.
On 2011 King played at the Glastonbury Music Festival, and in The Royal Albert Hall, London, supported by Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Ronnie Wood, Mick Hucknall and Slash.
Barack Obama and B.B. King singing "Sweet Home Chicago" on February 21, 2012
On February 21, 2012, King was among the performers of "In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues", during which Obama sang part of "Sweet Home Chicago".[24] King recorded for the debut album of rapper and producer Big K.R.I.T., who also hails from Mississippi.[25] On July 5, 2012, King performed a concert at the Byblos Festival, Lebanon.
On May 26, 2013, King appeared at New Orleans Jazz Festival[26]
Over a period of 64 years, King has played in excess of 15,000 performances.
A feature documentary about B.B. King narrated by Morgan Freeman, and directed by Jon Brewer was released on October 15, 2012.
Equipment
For more information about King's guitar, see Lucille (guitar).
B.B. King uses simple equipment. He played guitars made by different manufacturers early in his career: he played a Fender Telecaster on most of his recordings with RPM Records (USA).[29] However, he is best known for playing variants of the Gibson ES-355. In 1980 Gibson Guitar Corporation launched the B.B. King Lucille model. In 2005 Gibson made a special run of 80 Gibson Lucilles, referred to as the "80th Birthday Lucille", the first prototype of which was given as a birthday gift to King, and which he has been using ever since.
King uses Lab Series L5 2x12" combo amp and has been using this amp for a long time. The amp was made by Norlin Industries for Gibson in the 1970s and '80s. Other popular L5 users are Allan Holdsworth and Ty Tabor of King's X. The L5 has an onboard compressor, parametric EQ, and four inputs. King has also used a Fender Twin Reverb.
He uses his signature model strings "Gibson SEG-BBS B.B. King Signature Electric Guitar Strings" with gauges: 10-13-17p-32w-45w-54w and D'Andrea 351 MD SHL CX (Medium .71mm, Tortoise Shell, Celluloid) Picks.
B.B. King's Blues Club[edit]
Sign outside B.B. King's Blues Club on Beale Street, Memphis
In 1991, B.B. King's Blues Club opened on Beale Street in Memphis, and in 1994, a second club was launched at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles. A third club in New York City's Times Square opened in June 2000. Two further clubs opened at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut in January 2002 and another in Nashville in 2003. A club in West Palm Beach opened in the fall of 2009 and an additional one, based in the Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, opened in the winter of 2009. In 2007, a B.B. King's Blues Club in Orlando opened on International Drive. The Memphis, Nashville, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Las Vegas clubs are all the same company.
Legacy
King is widely regarded as one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time, inspiring countless other electric blues and blues-rock guitarists.
Philanthropy
In 2001, King signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underprivileged public schools throughout the US. He sits on LKR's Honorary Board of Directors.
TV appearances
B.B. King has made guest appearances in numerous popular television shows, including The Cosby Show, The Young and the Restless, General Hospital, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Sesame Street, Married... with Children, Sanford and Son, and Touched by an Angel. He has also made a cameo in the movie Spies Like Us. He voiced in the last episode of Cow and Chicken.
Personal life
King has been married twice, to Martha Lee Denton, 1946 to 1952, and to Sue Carol Hall, 1958 to 1966. Both marriages ended because of the heavy demands made on the marriage by King's 250 performances a year.It is reported that he has fathered 15 children and, as of 2004, had 50 grandchildren.He has lived with Type II diabetes for over 20 years and is a high-profile spokesman in the fight against the disease, appearing in advertisements for diabetes-management products along with American Idol season 9 contestant Crystal Bowersox.
King is an FAA licensed Private Pilot and learned to fly in 1963 at Chicago Hammond Airport in Lansing, IL (now Lansing Municipal Airport – KIGQ).He frequently flew to gigs, but under the advice of his insurance company and manager in 1995, King was asked to fly only with another licensed pilot; and as a result, King stopped flying around the age of 70.
External video
Oral History, B.B. King reflects on his greatest musical influences. interview date August 3, 2005, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Oral History Library
His favorite singer is Frank Sinatra. In his autobiography King speaks about how he was, and is, a "Sinatra nut" and how he went to bed every night listening to Sinatra's classic album In the Wee Small Hours. King has credited Sinatra for opening doors to black entertainers who were not given the chance to play in "white-dominated" venues; Sinatra got B.B. King into the main clubs in Las Vegas during the 1960s.
Why Not
B.B. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do this shit on a regular
Why Not
Why Not
Why Not
Why Not
I had to get up and do it
Cuzz niggas will hate when they never included
Why Not
Why Not
Why Not
There is no need for Katanas
We 30 deep like the royal rumble
I'd rather get picked than fumble
Wait I cannot stumble
Im kodak boppin my vision through tunnels
We can stack up together
We can stack up and stay humble
What's your ambition. This ain't your hobby so how do you get it. Wheres is your ticket
All of these hunnits I'm king the forensics
Yeah watch how I get it
Im saving and spending. Saving and Spending. I count up the ticket I get it
Armani Exchange my destination is the bank
I tell em why not cuzz I know my shit crank
Chevy Impala from back in the day niggas is broke can't relate
Im Cardo I ball hardaway. JokerahTRIPP with them bars like a gate
Stack up and pray
Faith over fate
Influenced my real and supported by real
Clear out my mind like a fire drill
I got waves like Ocean
I got the grease in my head
Im a walking oil spill
Cardo kill it
Why Not
Why Not
Why Not
Why Not
I wake up and smile like why not
Wake up and smile like why not
Why not
Why not
Why not
I know that Im blessed like Why Not
I know that Im blessed like Why Not!!
The lyrics to B.B. King's song "Why Not" convey a sense of confidence, determination, and self-assurance. The opening line, "Armani Exchange on my messenger," indicates the artist's style and charisma, emphasizing his regular engagement in this lifestyle. The repetition of "Why Not" throughout the song serves as a mantra, reaffirming the artist's mindset of seizing opportunities and not succumbing to doubt or negativity.
The following lines, "I had to get up and do it, Cuzz niggas will hate when they never included," suggest that the artist is motivated by the desire to prove himself and overcome any disregard or exclusion from others. He embraces a mentality of perseverance and resilience, pushing past obstacles and criticism. The reference to being "30 deep like the royal rumble" indicates a strong and unified support system, further reinforcing the artist's confidence.
The lyrics touch on themes of ambition and success, questioning others' understanding of the artist's drive and determination. Lines like "What's your ambition. This ain't your hobby so how do you get it" highlight the distinction between genuine passion and mere hobby. The artist's focus on saving, spending, and counting up tickets (money) emphasizes his dedication to financial stability and success.
In the second verse, the mention of Armani Exchange and the destination being the bank reflects the artist's aspiration for material success. The line "JokerahTRIPP with them bars like a gate" suggests the artist's ability to deliver impactful and powerful lyrics, while also referring to his rap persona. The reference to waves like the ocean and being a walking oil spill conveys a sense of abundance, creativity, and individuality.
Overall, the lyrics of "Why Not" encourage listeners to embrace their ambitions, pursue their goals, and remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Armani Exchange on my messenger
I proudly wear expensive designer clothes and accessories
I do this shit on a regular
I consistently engage in this activity
Why Not
What's stopping me? There's no reason not to
I had to get up and do it
I had to take action and pursue my goals
Cuzz niggas will hate when they never included
People who were never part of my success will still criticize and show hate
There is no need for Katanas
There's no need for violence or unnecessary weapons
We 30 deep like the royal rumble
We are a large group, just like the chaotic royal rumble wrestling match
I'd rather get picked than fumble
I prefer being chosen or succeeding, rather than making mistakes
Wait I cannot stumble
I must be careful and not make any mistakes
Im kodak boppin my vision through tunnels
I'm capturing moments and shaping my future with a clear focus
We can stack up together
We can accumulate wealth and success collectively
We can stack up and stay humble
Even with our achievements, we can remain modest and grounded
What's your ambition. This ain't your hobby so how do you get it. Wheres is your ticket
What are your aspirations? This is not just a hobby; how do you work towards achieving it? Where is your proof or evidence of progress?
All of these hunnits I'm king the forensics
With all this money, I reign supreme as the master of wealth management
Yeah watch how I get it
Observe and witness how I attain success
Im saving and spending. Saving and Spending. I count up the ticket I get it
I practice the balance of financial responsibility, saving money while also enjoying the fruits of my labor. I carefully keep track of my earnings
Armani Exchange my destination is the bank
I aim to accumulate wealth and financial success
I tell em why not cuzz I know my shit crank
I confidently say 'Why not?' because I know I'm extremely skilled and successful
Chevy Impala from back in the day niggas is broke can't relate
I own a classic and valuable Chevy Impala, but those who are financially struggling cannot understand or connect with me
Im Cardo I ball hardaway. JokerahTRIPP with them bars like a gate
I am Cardo, and I excel at basketball just like Penny Hardaway. JokerahTRIPP is a skilled rapper who delivers powerful lyrics
Stack up and pray
Accumulate wealth while also relying on prayer and faith
Faith over fate
I believe in the power of faith and personal beliefs rather than relying solely on destiny
Influenced by real and supported by real
I am influenced and inspired by genuine people, and they also support and believe in me
Clear out my mind like a fire drill
I mentally declutter and eliminate distractions similar to the focused evacuation during a fire drill
I got waves like Ocean
I have a captivating and powerful presence, just like the ocean's waves
I got the grease in my head
I possess the necessary slickness and intelligence to navigate through challenging situations
I'm a walking oil spill
I effortlessly exude and spread wealth and success wherever I go
I know that I'm blessed like Why Not
I am aware that I am fortunate and blessed, so there is no reason to question it
I know that I'm blessed like Why Not!!
It is unquestionable and undeniable that I am truly fortunate and blessed
I wake up and smile like why not
Every day, I wake up with joy and a positive attitude because there is no reason not to
Wake up and smile like why not
Upon awakening, I start my day with a smile and positive mindset due to the absent of any valid reasons not to
Why not
What is holding me back? There are no valid reasons not to pursue my goals and dreams
Why not
Why should I not? There is no logical argument against my pursuit of success
Why not
What is stopping me? There is no valid justification for inaction or hesitancy
Why not
Why shouldn't I? There are no legitimate reasons to hold back or doubt myself
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: King-TheHitman Cardo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chama Lama
Everybody wants to know
Why I sing the blues
Yes, I say everybody wanna know
Why I sing the blues
Well, I've been around a long time
I really have paid my dues
When I first got the blues
They brought me over on a ship
Men were standing over me
And a lot more with a whip
And everybody wanna know
Why I sing the blues
Well, I've been around a long time
Mm, I've really paid my dues
I've laid in a ghetto flat
Cold and numb
I heard the rats tell the bedbugs
To give the roaches some
Everybody wanna know
Why I'm singing the blues
Yes, I've been around a long time
People, I've paid my dues
I stood in line
Down at the County Hall
I heard a man say, "We're gonna build
Some new apartments for y'all"
And everybody wanna know
Yes, they wanna know
Why I'm singing the blues
Yes, I've been around a long, long time
Yes, I've really, really paid my dues
Now I'm gonna play Lucille
My kid's gonna grow up
Gonna grow up to be a fool
'Cause they ain't got no more room
No more room for him in school
And everybody wanna know
Everybody wanna know
Why I'm singing the blues
I say I've been around a long time
Yes, I've really paid some dues
Yeah, you know the company told me
Guess you're born to lose
Everybody around me, people
It seems like everybody got the blues
But I had 'em a long time
I've really, really paid my dues
You know I ain't ashamed of it, people
I just love to sing my blues
I walk through the cities, people
On my bare feet
I had a fill of catfish and chitterlings
Up and down Beal Street
You know I'm singing the blues
Yes, I really
I just have to sing my blues
I've been around a long time
People, I've really, really paid my dues
Now Father Time is catching up with me
Gone is my youth
I look in the mirror everyday
And let it tell me the truth
I'm singing the blues
Mm, I just have to sing the blues
I've been around a long time
Yes, yes, I've really paid some dues
Yeah, they told me everything
Would be better out in the country
Everything was fine
I caught me a bus uptown, baby
And every people, all the people
Got the same trouble as mine
I got the blues, huh huh
I say I've been around a long time
I've really paid some dues
One more time, fellows!
Blind man on the corner
Begging for a dime
The rollers come and caught him
And throw him in the jail for a crime
I got the blues
Mm, I'm singing my blues
I've been around a long time
Mm, I've really paid some dues
Can we do just one more?
Oh I thought I'd go down to the welfare
To get myself some grits and stuff
But a lady stand up and she said
"You haven't been around long enough"
That's why I got the blues
Mm, the blues
I say, I've been around a long time
I've really, really paid my dues
Fellows, tell them one more time
Ha, ha, ha That's all right, fellows
Yeah!
Enrique Aldanondo
Todos quieren saber
¿Por qué canto el blues?
Sí, digo que todos quieren saber
¿Por qué canto el blues?
Bueno, he estado por mucho tiempo
Realmente he pagado mis deudas.
Cuando tuve el blues por primera vez
Me trajeron en un barco
Los hombres estaban parados sobre mi
Y mucho más con un látigo
Y todos quieren saber
¿Por qué canto el blues?
Bueno, he estado por mucho tiempo
Mm, realmente he pagado mis deudas.
Me he acostado en un gueto
Frío y adormecido
Escuché a las ratas decirle a las chinches
Para darles a las cucarachas
Todos quieren saber
¿Por qué estoy cantando el blues?
Sí, he estado por mucho tiempo
Gente, he pagado mis deudas.
Me paré en línea
Abajo en el pasillo del condado
Escuché a un hombre decir:
"Vamos a construir algunos apartamentos nuevos para todos ustedes "
Y todos quieren saber
Si, quieren saber
¿Por qué estoy cantando el blues?
Sí, he estado por mucho, mucho tiempo
Sí, realmente he pagado mis deudas.
Ahora voy a interpretar a Lucille.Guitarra
Mi hijo va a crecer
Voy a crecer para ser un tonto
Porque no tienen más espacio
No más espacio para él en la escuela
Y todos quieren saber
Todos quieren saber
¿Por qué estoy cantando el blues?
Digo que he estado por mucho tiempo
Sí, realmente he pagado algunas deudas.
Sí, sabes que la compañía me dijo
Supongo que naciste para perder
Todos a mi alrededor, personas
Parece que todo el mundo tiene el blues
Pero los tuve mucho tiempo
Realmente, realmente pagué mis deudas
Sabes que no me avergüenzo, gente
Me encanta cantar mi blues.
Camino por las ciudades, gente
En mis pies descalzos
Estaba lleno de bagre y chinchulines
Arriba en la calle Downbill
Sabes que estoy cantando el blues
Si realmente
Solo tengo que cantar mi blues
He estado por mucho tiempo
La gente, realmente, realmente pagué mis deudas.
Ahora el padre tiempo me está alcanzando
Se fue mi juventud
Me miro en el espejo todos los días
Y deja que me diga la verdad
Estoy cantando el blues
Mm, solo tengo que cantar el blues
He estado por mucho tiempo
Sí, sí, realmente he pagado algunas deudas.
Si, me dijeron todo
Estaría mejor en el país
Todo estuvo bien
Me cogí un autobús en el centro, cariño
Y cada gente, toda la gente
Tengo el mismo problema que el mío
Tengo el blues, eh eh
Digo que he estado por mucho tiempo
Realmente he pagado algunas deudas.
¡Una vez más, muchachos! ...
Ciego en la esquina
Pidiendo un centavo
Los rodillos vienen y lo atrapan
Y echarlo a la cárcel por un crimen
Tengo el blues
Estoy cantando mi blues
He estado por mucho tiempo
Mm, realmente he pagado algunas deudas.
¿Podemos hacer uno más?
Oh, pensé que iría al bienestar
Para conseguir algunos granos y esas cosas
Pero una dama se puso de pie y ella dijo
"No has estado el tiempo suficiente"
Es por eso que tengo el blues
Mm, el blues
Digo, he estado por mucho tiempo
Realmente, realmente pagué mis deudas.
Compañeros, díganles una vez más.
Jajaja. Eso está bien, amigos ... ¡Si!
Catherine Oxner
I have listened to this guy since I was a kid, now I am a senior citizen and he still sounds good. This guy has his own style of singing and playing and it is unique, clear and very entertaining. Make room for him in Heaven, he and the angels will keep things moving. I loved you and I miss you B. B. King.
Ryann
Heaven is blessed❤
Kuskule
A masterpiece from the Master. One could learn drumming, guitar playing, bass plаying, singing out of this... What a genius...
Pablo Pérez
Amazing bass, gets hotter and hotter
Mullah Osk
Lucille can still give me goosebumps, even after 35 years of listening to this awesome track.
Barbara
Mullah, Lucille is awesome; But, that Bass is whipping!
Alternativa77 Culture
Vai com Deus velho King. Vc já (é) era um personagem histórico.
Respect From Brazil.
Tomora Wyrick-Small
This is a big big man here. It goes deeper than any note can carry. It was my childhood. Rest in peace and sleep in eternal grace.
Chama Lama
Everybody wants to know
Why I sing the blues
Yes, I say everybody wanna know
Why I sing the blues
Well, I've been around a long time
I really have paid my dues
When I first got the blues
They brought me over on a ship
Men were standing over me
And a lot more with a whip
And everybody wanna know
Why I sing the blues
Well, I've been around a long time
Mm, I've really paid my dues
I've laid in a ghetto flat
Cold and numb
I heard the rats tell the bedbugs
To give the roaches some
Everybody wanna know
Why I'm singing the blues
Yes, I've been around a long time
People, I've paid my dues
I stood in line
Down at the County Hall
I heard a man say, "We're gonna build
Some new apartments for y'all"
And everybody wanna know
Yes, they wanna know
Why I'm singing the blues
Yes, I've been around a long, long time
Yes, I've really, really paid my dues
Now I'm gonna play Lucille
My kid's gonna grow up
Gonna grow up to be a fool
'Cause they ain't got no more room
No more room for him in school
And everybody wanna know
Everybody wanna know
Why I'm singing the blues
I say I've been around a long time
Yes, I've really paid some dues
Yeah, you know the company told me
Guess you're born to lose
Everybody around me, people
It seems like everybody got the blues
But I had 'em a long time
I've really, really paid my dues
You know I ain't ashamed of it, people
I just love to sing my blues
I walk through the cities, people
On my bare feet
I had a fill of catfish and chitterlings
Up and down Beal Street
You know I'm singing the blues
Yes, I really
I just have to sing my blues
I've been around a long time
People, I've really, really paid my dues
Now Father Time is catching up with me
Gone is my youth
I look in the mirror everyday
And let it tell me the truth
I'm singing the blues
Mm, I just have to sing the blues
I've been around a long time
Yes, yes, I've really paid some dues
Yeah, they told me everything
Would be better out in the country
Everything was fine
I caught me a bus uptown, baby
And every people, all the people
Got the same trouble as mine
I got the blues, huh huh
I say I've been around a long time
I've really paid some dues
One more time, fellows!
Blind man on the corner
Begging for a dime
The rollers come and caught him
And throw him in the jail for a crime
I got the blues
Mm, I'm singing my blues
I've been around a long time
Mm, I've really paid some dues
Can we do just one more?
Oh I thought I'd go down to the welfare
To get myself some grits and stuff
But a lady stand up and she said
"You haven't been around long enough"
That's why I got the blues
Mm, the blues
I say, I've been around a long time
I've really, really paid my dues
Fellows, tell them one more time
Ha, ha, ha That's all right, fellows
Yeah!
treponemapalidum
Thanks for the lyrics