Influenced by his association with the famous Memphis Beale Streeters, his … Read Full Bio ↴Influenced by his association with the famous Memphis Beale Streeters, his love of gospel music and the rising tide of energetic Big Band music that would soon come to be called Rock-n-Roll, Bobby put out such seminal early pre-rock tracks as "Turn on Your Love Light", "Cry Cry Cry" and "I Pity the Fool". Considered to be one of the premier rhythm & blues vocalists, Bland continued to hit the R&B charts throughout the 60's, but never managed to match his earlier successes. Bobby 'Blue' Bland was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Stormy Monday
Bobby Blue Bland Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They call it Stormy Monday but Tuesday's just as bad
They call it Stormy Monday but Tuesday's just as bad
Wednesday's worse, Lord and Thursday's all so sad

The eagle flies on Friday and Saturday I go out to play
Yeah, the eagle flies on Friday and Saturday I go out to play
Sunday I go to church and I kneel down and pray

And this is what I say, baby, "Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy on me", you know I cried
"Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me"

You know I'm tryin', tryin' to find my baby
Won't somebody please send her home to me, yeah

Well, I cried, "Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me"
I said I cried, "Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me"

You know I'm tryin', tryin' to find my baby
Won't send her home to me, oh yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bobby Bland's song "Stormy Monday Blues" depict the feeling of endless despair and frustration that comes with a turbulent week. The phrase "Stormy Monday" is meant to represent the beginning of the week, but the lyrics make it clear that although they call it stormy Monday, every day of the week is just as miserable or worse than the one before it. The mention of an eagle flying on Friday represents the end of the week and the possibility of finding relief through leisure activities, such as going out to play, but it's short-lived as Sunday brings a return to solemnity and the need for spiritual guidance.

As the song progresses, Bland's vocals become increasingly emotional and backed by a mournful horn section. He ultimately cries out for mercy, expressing his desire to find his lost love and to have her return to him. Through the song, Bland seems to be offering a metaphor for the ups and downs of life, representing the pain, isolation, and hopelessness that one may experience during trying times.

Line by Line Meaning

They call it Stormy Monday but Tuesday's just as bad
Although today is Monday and it is stormy, it is not the only bad day. In fact, Tuesday is just as gloomy.

Wednesday's worse, Lord and Thursday's all so sad
Matters only get worse as the week progresses. Wednesday is even worse than the previous two days, and Thursday is just as sad.

The eagle flies on Friday and Saturday I go out to play
The weekend finally comes, represented by the eagle flying on Friday. So, on Saturday, I go out to have some fun and relax.

Sunday I go to church and I kneel down and pray
On Sundays, I go to church to worship and pray, showing my devotion to God.

And this is what I say, baby, "Lord have mercy
During my prayer, I say, "Lord have mercy," asking for divine assistance and guidance.

Lord have mercy on me", you know I cried
I plead with the Lord and cry out to Him for His mercy to be bestowed upon me.

"Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me"
My desperation drives me to keep asking the Lord for mercy upon me.

You know I'm tryin', tryin' to find my baby
I'm struggling and making every effort to locate my beloved person.

Won't somebody please send her home to me, yeah
Requesting anyone and everyone to send my loved one back home to me as soon as possible.

Well, I cried, "Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me"
I continue my plea to the Lord, repeatedly asking for His mercy during my painful ordeal.

You know I'm tryin', tryin' to find my baby
My ongoing efforts and struggle remain focused on one thing only, finding my beloved person.

Won't send her home to me, oh yeah
I am still waiting and hoping for my loved one to come back to me and restore happiness in my life.

Contributed by Liliana F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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04I'll Take Care Of You

05I Pity The Fool

06Cry, Cry, Cry

07Turn on Your Love Light

08Call On Me2:30

09Ain't Nothing You Can Do

10If You Could Read My Mind2:16

11Farther Up The Road2:56

12Stormy Monday3:58

PT3M58S

Bobby "Blue" Bland

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Comments from YouTube:

@lionelking7913

6w↑1

The best blues voice ever.

@eltonparks659

11w↑3

Lots of people have covered this song, but Bobby really brings out the essence of the blues.

@skyiestosunsetrise2886

3y↑3

Im 31...and i understand songs like this....i love.. and i do mean LOVE this kind of music....these young generations no NOTHING about this... this is beautiful

@2007christian

2y↑14

The guitar and the singing is out of this world!

@1computernew

1y↑1

You right about that!!

@BrianCarnevaleB26

2y↑2

I was fortunate enough to meet an African American DJ today here on the edge of the south side in St Pete. Today I met Mr. Bobby Blue Bland playing in the man's car. I then approached the man to ask him about the music he was playing.
.
It is so enlightening for me to travel and talk to random people. You have to know how to pick the right ones each and every time you learn something new.

Thank you for that

@melvinfranklin1539

24w↑2

Miss you Bobby your music will live on

@beverlyharris9859

1y↑2

The very best. I love this man. SENSATIONAL AWESOME BEAUTIFUL HEAVENLY. Miss Bobby BB and Albert. LOVE LOVE LOVE ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!!!!!!

@briancronin2139

15w↑1

I have to listen to this song at least once a week. There is something about it that's good for the soul.

@TheGWC1946

1y↑6

The most classic version of Stormy Monday ever made. Bobbie was an awesome and unique blues singer and we miss him ❤

@aliyourbrother1

From my hometown Sacramento California. His son Sunny Bland tries to sing blues these days.

@drakemallard8562

2y↑3

My cousin from Memphis used to love his music. Rest his soul. 🙏

@GreenElfMom

31w↑2

Just wow!

@jimnewsom2641

28w↑1

Bobby Bland was an awesome and great blues singer. Nobody came close to him.

@ShellyBomb

25w↑2

Damn ... What a song 💙💙💙! I just watched the movie "Elizabethtown" and there's a drop in at Ernestine's & Hazel's, and, the owner, Russell talked about this incredible Blues artist, Bobby Bland AND this song!!! 🎙️ 🎶 💙

@ddtex4954

13w↑1

The BEST version!

@berthapayne670

5y↑10

I loved this song. I'm going to sing this song one day, Lord have mercy on me.

@rooseveltdavis9559

5y↑3

Well alright then. And when you sing this legendary classic, just make sure you sing it with pure soul,like the blue man himself.

@timothyteige6467

3y↑2

Bobby Bland it doesn't get any better than this.

@yebouti

7y↑45

Absolute classic this- heard it for it the first time in'67 Wayne Bennett's guitar is a masterpiece of blues soloing. THE definitive version by miles.

@lindategarden658

5y↑4

Uh no. "A key feature of the song's instrumentation is Walker's prominent guitar parts, including the extensive use of ninth chords,[12] which gives the song its distinctive sound. Author Aaron Stang explained: "The real sound of this riff is based on starting each 9th chord a whole step (2 frets) above and sliding down. If we were to analyze this movement, the first chord is technically a 13th chord resolving down to a 9th chord".[12] Guitarist Duke Robillard added

The guitar chord line, it's a little guitar ninth chord figure. That was a unique thing and it became T-Bone's signature. And that chord line seems to have grabbed everybody because everybody plays it with that line in it. And it's almost like a law, that you have to, when you play 'Stormy Monday.'[13]" Wikipedia

@williamwinslett5836

5y↑11

Best version bar none. Makes me wanna relax and forget about it all..

@iamTW64

48w↑1

This is perfection, start to finish!

@sloansv

27w↑1

I lived 7 centuries and have yet to hear a vocalist I enjoyed more than Bobby Blue Bland and I'm not a strong blues fan. He just had a voice of a 'tortured' and 'wise' soul

@lusoverse8710

6y↑21

Always loved Wayne Bennett's guitar work on this. No flashy pyrotechnics, just... right in the mood. They made a great team.

@iamvyra6051

6y↑15

I grew up on this! I love this! Mr Bobby Bland was amazing!

@arteyhviahbadar5994

8y↑20

THIS IS PURE SOUL 'CALLING OUT THE BLUES FROM RAW GROUND SOUL'! BRINGS BACK LONG AGO 'BLUES' FROM THE HUMAN SOUL AND HEART...NEVER SONG BETTER THAN BY BROTHER BOBBY BLUE BLAND!! WHALE THE BLUES IN GROOVE-MODE!

@MusicLoverPearson

8y↑3

AMEN

@norabuccola1610

2y↑3

One of my favorite artists, awesome voice.

@purkasz

4y↑15

Wayne Bennett guitar homage to T-Bone is classic.

@orlylindsey1377

4y↑11

it's a perfect song!!!

@totsie2891

4y↑2

Classic singing by a classic dude, this was the real deal and still is in 2020. Bobby knew how to put down. All a person could do was just get in and groove on.

@MrJudo2go

5y↑55

No doubt Bobby Bland has an awesome voice. Wayne Bennett never got enough credit for that jazzy blues hollow body guitar tone. Fantastic combination together.

@robertpickett1396

3y↑5

His guitar parts were always different than the rest of the blues players. Bobby's whole thing was like, Big Band Blues, Bennett helped it feel that way by not falling into the run of the mill blues guitarist.

@bridgecrasher

3y↑1

Wayne Bennett 🔥🔥🔥

@newyorknight

4y↑6

Could you imagine if Bobby and Sam Cooke had done an album together, wow that would have been smooth.

@abrigospardos

39w↑1

Simple as it may be, that little, repeating guitar phrase at 3:00, just before the turnaround, gets me every time. I immediately have a lump in my throat.

@secretadmirer5006

4y↑2

Smooth AND gritty. Can't believe I forgot this version.

@rockguitarist931

5y↑3

I've started attending a local jam session and all they do is blues. So I've been learning the blues all weekend. This is one of the songs they've done and I'm digging the chord progression.

@elliesings9508

Where is this blues jam? I'd love to go

@rockguitarist931

@@elliesings9508 It was cancelled due to low attendance.

@jeroenjansen2709

4y↑7

Awesome interpretation. It feels just right.

@captlarry-3525

6y↑4

Classic Blue Bland... used to see flyers on telephone poles in the 60's around SF... for his shows.. Damn I Wish I Had Gone !

@kimhunter7763

7y↑14

Vocal and guitar here are just too damn smooth, make ya have to sit down!

@jonkuntz5561

8y↑8

I love this tune.....

@user-ts6vz7rt5i

30w

Reminds me of the 60s. My mom was a fan of Bland.

@jabjones2165

9y↑12

Smooth Blues.

@donaldmorrow3096

6y↑12

From the classic blues album, "Here's The Man." In one four minute album track are all the reasons Bobby Bland is the greatest blues singer who ever lived. He takes about the best lyric ever written for the Blues (thank T-Bone Walker) and uses all his vocal gifts to break each word down and make you feel them. This is night club blues singing at its finest. And not since B. B. King met Lucille have guitar and vocals gone together as well as on this record. Wayne Bennett both reminds us that this is T-Bone's song and follows Bobby to a tee. You want to perform the Blues, listen quietly to this and learn.

@rickclink9196

2y↑1

Lord have mercy

@petegrafton8234

3y↑1

The best by the Best

@tomcooley3778

1y↑2

One of the best versions of this tune. Lee Rawles does an uptempo version that’s good as well.

@Allagi22

51w↑1

I love T Bone Walker I know he wrote it, I love BB King I know he got famous covering it, but this is my favorite version bar none.

@GregFoster-hm3hr

42w

This song is a blessing ooo weee 😇 also a Joy the 💙 music is cool 🆒😎

@stevecruikshanks5418

4y↑1

Can’t wait for my daughters band at college to cover this

@valnpaulvanorden

Part of my ole repertoire

@samstevens296

4y↑5

Mr. Bennett is not playing that guitar, he’s making it ‘TALK. This is “COMPLICATED SIMPLICITY”

@jwjeffrey

13w↑1

I see where Gregg Allman got his styling for his vocal for this from.

@philburdine2484

7y↑18

This even stirs the soul of a white guy.

@jeroenjansen2709

4y↑1

I always liked the blues like nothing else. It is an universal language. The masters of the early blues era brought an invaluable gift.

@jacklarson6281

i cant believe ive never head of this man before!!! good grief!! and i thought i was pretty well rounded in the classic Blues men

@mcbujenmusic

28w

🎶

@bfdzvalable

3y↑1

Lawd, lawd, lawd !!

@saltydog4759

24w

Greasy as hell. Pure glorious analog blues filth. This is f*ckin bliss.

@larrywishon8084

49w↑1

Billie Holiday most certainly DID NOT write Stormy Monday. Aaron T-Bone Walker's name is on the copyright.

@wickedpickett8464

3y↑1

Bobby BLAND was everything but................

@SELKCOMM

Nothing even comes close.

@allainyahamatthews8004

when I call you stromy and mundane when,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

@audis170

45w

I know guitar... Hendrix 1 Stevie Ray 2nd U heard it from The Coldest One

@karenmarks1997

3y↑2

No sound like Bland

@dougturner7398

Billie Holiday is NOT the writer --- Jeez!

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