Born Under a Bad Sign
B.B. King & Albert King Lyrics


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Born under a bad sign
Been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, you know I wouldn't have no luck at all

Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I been on my own ever since I was ten
Born under a bad sign
Been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

I can't read, haven't learned how to write
My whole life has been one big fight
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I said, I wouldn't have no luck at all

That ain't no lie
You know if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind o' luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

You know wine and women is all I crave
A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all





Yeah, my bad luck boy
Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes

Overall Meaning

The song "Born Under A Bad Sign" is a story about a man who has had a tough life since he was born. The lyrics suggest that he may be cursed or have bad karma, as he has struggled with bad luck his entire life. The tone of the song is melancholy and solemn, with the singer admitting that he has never had a stroke of good fortune. The lines "If it wasn't for bad luck, you know I wouldn't have no luck at all" and "If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all" emphasize the sense of hopelessness that the singer feels.


As the song continues, the singer reveals that he has been on his own since he was ten years old and that he never learned how to read or write. His life has been a constant battle, with hard luck and trouble being his only companions. The only things that bring him joy are wine and women, with the singer suggesting that he craves them both. The final lines of the song suggest that he has resigned himself to his fate and that he will likely continue to have bad luck for the rest of his life.


Line by Line Meaning

Born under a bad sign
From the very beginning of my life, bad luck has been with me


Been down since I began to crawl
I have been struggling since I was a baby


If it wasn't for bad luck, you know I wouldn't have no luck at all
Without bad luck, I would have no luck at all in life


Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I have only ever made friends with misfortune and difficulty


I been on my own ever since I was ten
I have had to fend for myself since the age of ten


I can't read, haven't learned how to write
I have not had access to education and am illiterate


My whole life has been one big fight
My entire life has been a constant struggle


That ain't no lie
What I am saying is true


You know if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind o' luck
If I did not have bad luck, I would have no luck at all


If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
Without extremely unfortunate circumstances, I would not have any luck in life


You know wine and women is all I crave
All I desire is alcohol and female companionship


A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave
I will pursue these desires until death


Yeah, my bad luck boy
I am known for having very bad luck


Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
Bad luck has been present throughout my entire life




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOOKER T. JONES, WILLIAM BELL

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

@TheRealForrestGeorge

Born under a bad sign
Been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck
You know, I wouldn't have no luck at all

Hard luck and trouble
Been my only friend
I've been on my own
Ever since I was ten
Born under a bad sign
Been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck
You know, I wouldn't have no luck at all

I can't read
I didn't know how to write
My whole life has been
One big fight
Born under a bad sign
I've been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck
I say, I wouldn't have no luck at all

That ain't lie, ah, oh
You know, if it wasn't for bad luck
I wouldn't have no kinda luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck
I wouldn't have no luck at all

You know wine
And women is all I crave
A big legged woman
Gonna carry me to my grave



All comments from YouTube:

@jamesbueker11

He’s a big bad man. Unreal how he bent the guitar to his create a sound that is only his. I saw him at Antones in downtown Austin in the early 70’s. Danced with his wife, smoked boo with the band and generally was just a white boy in heaven. Pure soul with a blues backbone. One of the greatest nights of my life. He even played Cockroach Blues at my request. Total gentleman genius

@cwnhaernjqw

Did he F your little white bussy? have some dignity. you're pathetic

@maxxcarver5502

Why on earth did big mama youtube censor the comment under this Great story??

@jamesbueker11

@@maxxcarver5502 he asked if Albert f’ed my bussy. Ignorant and vulgar

@connor6842

"If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all" - best lyric ever.

@69situation69

classic movies love songs

@danmaltby3271

Absolutelly, but Big Al's voice is so thick and textured, his voice tells a story on its own, like John Lee Hooker and Muddy, their voice is textured like thick tree bark

@demetricpetty8768

Connor I hub

@davidklein1667

Connor no way...I prefer Creams slight altering of the lyrics to..
'Dope, wine n wimmen
Is all I crave
A big leg woman
Gonna carry me to my grave!

@tonytheguy5194

Lyric,? sounds like my life story

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