Stormy Monday
BB King w/ Albert Collins Lyrics
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Mr. T-Bone Walker, I'm gonna do one of his tunes
for you ladies and gentlemen
Called Stormy Monday, if ya don't mind
Hello!
We used to do a lot of the shows together
Tuesday's just as bad
(Look out Les, this goin' out to you, Les)
And they call it stormy Monday
Tuesday's just as bad
Wednesday's worse
Thursday, oh so sad, yeah
Yeah, that eagle flies on Friday, an' Saturday I go out to play
Yes, that eagle flies on Friday, an' Saturday I go out to play
Sunday I go to church, I do get on my knees an' pray
We got Larry Burton on guitar, how 'bout givin' him a hand, ladies and gentlemen?
(Yeah!)
The sun rise in the East, and it sets up in the West
Yeah, the sun rise in the East, baby, and it sets up in the West, yeah
It's hard to tell, it's hard to tell, which one of my love, that I love best
In the opening of "Stormy Monday", BB King speaks about being inspired by T-Bone Walker, a guitarist who is considered to be one of the pioneers of electric blues. Throughout his career, BB King has always cited T-Bone Walker as being one of his primary influences. He then introduces the song, and audiences can feel the anticipation building. The song itself talks about blue Mondays, and how the troubles of the beginning of the week roll into Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and beyond. The song's tone is mournful, but also somewhat resigned - the singer knows that there will be more tough times, but he accepts it as a fact of life.
The lyrics in the song are rich with imagery, describing how an eagle flies on Friday, and how Sunday is a day for prayer. The final verses of the song, where King discusses how hard it is to choose which love he loves best, are particularly moving. His guitar playing throughout the song is stellar, as always. This is a song that captures the blues perfectly - the sense of resignation mixed with hope, the difficulty of finding joy, and the exquisite pain of life. It's no wonder that it has endured as a classic in the blues genre for so many years.
Line by Line Meaning
A young man that inspired me on a guitar,
I'm paying homage to T-Bone Walker, who inspired me greatly as a guitarist. Here's one of his songs, Stormy Monday.
They call it stormy Monday (thank you!)
This song is called Stormy Monday, and it's a representation of a difficult day. Thank you for listening.
Tuesday's just as bad
Tuesday follows Monday, and it's just as bad. The struggles continue.
And they call it stormy Monday
This song represents a trying day that is known as Stormy Monday.
Wednesday's worse
After Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday is even worse. The challenges intensify.
Thursday, oh so sad, yeah
By Thursday, the weight of the week has taken hold, and it's a difficult and sorrowful day.
Yeah, that eagle flies on Friday, an' Saturday I go out to play
But then Friday comes, and I'm free to do what I want. And on Saturday, I let my hair down and have fun.
Sunday I go to church, I do get on my knees an' pray
But on Sunday, I go to church and pray. It's a time for reflection and humility.
The sun rise in the East, and it sets up in the West
Just like the sunrise and sunset, it's hard to determine which of my loves I care for the most.
It's hard to tell, it's hard to tell, which one of my love, that I love best
All of my loves are important to me, and it's hard to say which one I value the most.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Aaron T-Bone Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@turockandar
Albert Colins was truly one of the greatest blues players that ever lived with his very original style!
@JT-fl8wx
Up one
@wadeolder7193
These guys have played this song a zillion times. But the do it like it was the first time.
God loves them. And so do we.
@hotforknowledge2111
Abert Collins was one of the great genius' of the blues; his angular, at times dissonant and strikingly original choice of notes was unique as well as his driving head-spitting tone.
@mrspenn1611
2 legends now play in the great gig in the sky....
@SrogiJogi
Stephen Pennell Before I would pass almost every musician I ever "more than like" will already be there, so I asume - I'll arive just in time for "the great gig in the sky"
That thought keeps me smilin a little, instead of sheding a tear when I listen to my music.
@primolandia
+SrogiJogi And the best part is that the gig won't end... :)
@jalitasuttles3082
+Edward gbone omg!it takes soul baby and they had real soul.you know where your going focus on that.
@Agharta99
Hell is here not elsewhere but it's your choice.
@ssurfcity
@kidsgottheblues BB & Albert (and others) released an album called Blues Summit in '93, and this song (studio version) was on it. That was also the year AC passed.....