Although Eric Clapton and B.B. King had a 30-plus years friendship originating with a chance meeting and subsequent jam session at New York City's Café Au Go Go in 1967, the idea for a collaborative album only crystallized during the sessions for King's 1997 album Deuces Wild. The resulting record, "Riding with the King", is a stellar event thanks to a wealth of rich material and a solid supporting cast including Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Sample and Steve Gadd.
B.B. King's extensive catalog provides a wellspring of inspiration, including signature songs such as the smoldering "Three O'Clock Blues", alongside lesser-known numbers like the ribald shuffle "Days Of Old", and the Live at the Regal chestnut "Help The Poor". Elsewhere, King and Clapton look to guitarist Big Bill Broonzy (an acoustic "Key to the Highway") and Chicago pianist Maceo Merriweather (the slow-rolling "Worried Life Blues") for inspiration. Even the non-blues numbers are delivered with a rich subtlety befitting these guitar icons' consummate musicianship. John Hiatt's title track becomes a mid-tempo exchange between old friends, while their honeyed vocals on the standard "Come Rain or Come Shine" are worthy of Ray Charles' 1959 version.
"Riding with the King" won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Official website for B.B. King: www.bbking.com
Official website for Eric Clapton: www.ericclapton.com
Riding With the King
B.B. King & Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I blew it all at the penny arcade.
A hundred dollars on a Kewpie doll.
No pretty chick is gonna make me crawl.
Get on a TWA to the promised land.
Every woman, child and man
Gets a Cadillac and a great big diamond ring.
He's on a mission of mercy to the new frontier,
He's gonna check us all on out of here.
Up to that mansion on a hill
Where you can get your prescription filled.
Get on a TWA to the promised land.
Everybody clap your hands.
And don't you just love the way that he sings?
Don't you know we're riding with the king?
Riding with the king.
Don't you know we're riding with the king?
A tuxedo and shiny 335.
You can see it in his face, the blue never lie.
Tonight everybody's getting their angel wings.
And don't you know we're riding with the king?
I stepped out of Mississippi when I was ten years old
With a suit cut sharp as a razor and a heart made of gold.
I had a guitar hanging just about waist high
And I'm gonna play this thing until the day I die.
Don't you know we're riding with the king?
Don't you know we're riding with the king?
Riding, you're riding with the king.
You're riding, you're riding with the king.
In Riding With the King, B.B. King and Eric Clapton sing about a dream where they have successful careers, but blow all their hard-earned money at the penny arcade. Despite this setback, they board a TWA flight to the promised land where everyone is given a Cadillac and a diamond ring. The King, who is on a mission of mercy, is taking them to a mansion on a hill where they can get their prescriptions filled. As they ride with the king, they are filled with joy and a sense of achievement.
The first verse of this song is about temptation and giving in to vices that lead to failure. The penny arcade represents temptation, and the Kewpie doll represents the meaningless things that people spend their money on. The second verse is about redemption and the promise of the afterlife. The King is seen as a savior who is taking them to a better place. The third verse is about the journey and struggle of life. It tells the story of B.B. King's early years in Mississippi and his unwavering dedication to music.
The song's message is complex and can be interpreted in many ways. It is about the pursuit of happiness, the fear of failure, and the promise of salvation. It is about the journey people take to achieve their goals and the sense of satisfaction that comes with success. It is a timeless classic that celebrates the blues and the power of music to uplift and inspire.
Line by Line Meaning
I dreamed I had a good job and I got well paid.
I once had a good job with great pay, but I foolishly spent it all at an arcade.
I blew it all at the penny arcade.
I spent all my money on games and prizes at the arcade.
A hundred dollars on a Kewpie doll.
I spent a ridiculous amount of money on a cheap doll.
No pretty chick is gonna make me crawl.
I won't let any woman have power over me or make me feel inferior.
Get on a TWA to the promised land.
Let's take a TWA flight to a better place.
Every woman, child and man
This destination is for everyone.
Gets a Cadillac and a great big diamond ring.
Everyone will receive luxurious gifts like a Cadillac and diamond ring.
Don't you know you're riding with the king?
Remember, we're in the presence of greatness and royalty.
He's on a mission of mercy to the new frontier,
The king is on a mission to help those in need and explore new places.
He's gonna check us all on out of here.
He's going to lead us away from our current situation.
Up to that mansion on a hill
Our destination is a grand and luxurious mansion up on a hill.
Where you can get your prescription filled.
We'll be able to heal and remedy our problems at this destination.
Everybody clap your hands.
Let's all celebrate and feel joyous.
And don't you just love the way that he sings?
The king's singing is fantastic and we all enjoy it.
Riding with the king.
We are fortunate enough to be riding alongside greatness.
A tuxedo and shiny 335.
The king is wearing a fancy tuxedo and holding a shiny 335 guitar.
You can see it in his face, the blue never lie.
The king's emotion and pain is clearly reflected in his music (the blues).
Tonight everybody's getting their angel wings.
Tonight, we'll all feel like we've been granted angel wings, like we're lifted and made better by the king's music.
I stepped out of Mississippi when I was ten years old
I left Mississippi at a young age.
With a suit cut sharp as a razor and a heart made of gold.
I dressed well and had a pure heart.
I had a guitar hanging just about waist high
I always carried my guitar around and kept it close to me.
And I'm gonna play this thing until the day I die.
I plan to play the guitar for the rest of my life, it's my passion.
Riding, you're riding with the king.
We're lucky to be riding alongside the king.
You're riding, you're riding with the king.
We're all fortunate to be in the company of the king and share in his musical talent and energy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN HIATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@billyjordan174
Had the Honor to meet and sit down and chat with The Legendary B.B King once. We chatted for almost an hour and a half. He gave me the pick he had just used in his show. Not only was he one of the greatest Bluesmen of all time he was also a great person. His Music and the Legacy he left behind will live Forever. Thank you for the Memories Mr. King
@lisahutchinson3395
Wow that was amazing for you❤
@danteanderson9052
Still hav the guitar pick could be worth a small fortune
@SuperLoveskate
One of the best blues albums ever made.
@robd582
Its up there with Hendrix's blues stuff for sure
@Luka-vw8xh
That's so right!!!
@markheyen7301
Two music legends playing together. Life does not get better than this.
@Maywarina1
True
@boefjespost
Amen!!!!
@jorgemartin5093
Bb king is a legend. Not the cold hearted white man Eric Clapton...