Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues ha… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and one of the earliest white exponents of the Chicago originated electric blues style. The impact on the course of rock and roll by the Butterfield Blues Band with the release of their first album, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and the song "Born In Chicago" in particular, was pivotal. They, along with British acts The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and others, including Butterfield's main competitor in Chicago, singer/harp player Charlie Musselwhite, helped introduce young white America to the blues, influencing hundreds of bands from the Grateful Dead to the Allman Brothers, and launched the brief reign of Michael Bloomfield as America’s most influential rock guitarist.

Born Under a Bad Sign
Butterfield Blues Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

One, two
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

Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I been on my own ever since I was ten
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

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 begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

I ain't lyin'
If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

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 lyrics of Butterfield Blues Band's "Born Under a Bad Sign" describe a man who feels that his life has been cursed from the very beginning. He sings about how he has been down on his luck ever since he started crawling, implying that he has barely had a chance to experience any good fortune in his life. He believes that his only friends are "hard luck and trouble," and that his whole life has been one big fight. He feels that he has not been able to get a good education, and that he can't seem to catch a break no matter what he does.

Despite his terrible luck, the man in the song seems to have found some solace in wine and women. He sings that these are the only things he craves, and suggests that a "big legged woman" is going to carry him to his grave. It is possible that this line is meant to be taken symbolically, and that the woman in question represents some kind of escape or release from the man's troubles. Overall, the song paints a bleak picture of a life plagued by misfortune, in which even small successes are hard-won and quickly taken away.

Line by Line Meaning

One, two
The song is starting off with a count-in for the band to begin playing.

Born under a bad sign
The singer is expressing that he believes he was destined to have bad luck, and the phrase 'bad sign' implies a negative omen that has been present since birth.

I been down since I begin to crawl
The singer is saying that he has experienced negative circumstances throughout his life, even from a very young age.

If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
The singer is stating that all of the luck he has had in his life has been bad and that he feels he has no good fortune at all.

Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
The singer is saying that he has grown accustomed to bad luck and that it is always present in his life, making it his only reliable companion.

I been on my own ever since I was ten
The singer is expressing that he has been on his own and had to rely on himself since he was ten years old.

I can't read, haven't learned how to write
The singer is stating that he has had a difficult life, including not being able to read or write, which has limited his opportunities in life.

My whole life has been one big fight
The singer is expressing that his life has been a constant struggle, and he has had to fight his way through it.

I ain't lyin'
The singer is stating that he is telling the truth and that all of his struggles and hardships have been real.

If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
The singer is reiterating that he feels that all of his luck has been bad and that he can't catch a break.

Wine and women is all I crave
The singer is saying that his vices are drinking and women, which he turns to for comfort and distraction from his difficult life.

A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave
The singer is expressing that he is content with his lifestyle and that he feels that his vices, especially women, will be the end of him.

Yeah, my bad luck boy
The singer is acknowledging that he has had nothing but bad luck his entire life and that it has become a defining feature of his personality and character.

Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
The singer is reiterating that he has been experiencing bad luck for as long as he can remember and that it has never let up.

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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Comments from YouTube:

@arthurhuppert8752

5y↑21

I was in a deep sleep on the turf on Yasgur's Farm, August, 1969. I awoke to hear "the Butterfield Blues Band," they launched into this...they were not on the bill, but there they were opening with this...heaven on earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@MrJasonbushey

4y↑5

Cool story man!

@markellis6668

3y↑3

Thats cool

@murattaner7384

5y↑23

ı was blessed with his friendship in the last 2 yrs of his life. and yesterday (dec. 1st 2018 !!) ı bought my first blues harp

@52barney

@CrasherXtreme Xoxoxo maybe he was incarcerated

@melshort6614

8y↑38

one of the best blues bands ever , was lucky and saw them in frisco, with the mike bloomfield band, and elvin bishop band, what a show, one of the best I ever saw

@j.sabatino1198

I know the Drummer From the Bloomfield band. Duffy Hoffman great guy!

@j.sabatino1198

5y↑1

Still drummin too!

@ericholdsworth6611

that must have been one hell of a show.

@sandragriffiths9692

Lucky b*****😁

@johnjeffery6638

2y↑1

This is PRIME BUTTERFEILD. REALLY TIGHT!!

@sdxn8117

6y↑32

I told Charlie Musselwhite that him and Paul made me lay down my harp...I couldn't do what they do....and he said, "We all bring something, keep playing." Thanks, Paul's been my hero for ever.

@jlow4214

6y↑2

Steve Dixon yep, got close once in a while. Found out he played with the harp flipped over (ten hole in left hand) and it bent my mind. Never did recover!lol. Little Walter is what did me in

@blondbowler8776

4y↑1

He influenced me early (sideman with John Hammond, and Mike Bloomfield on piano on that album) as did Butterfield and Mayall, and that cat that solos on Steve Miller's first album in Fannie Mae. 25 - some years ago on a snowy, stormy Monday night in Missoula, MT, Charlie and his band had a gig at a bar, and no one showed up but me and this drunk chick. Charlie sent the band back to the hotel and sang, played harp and acoustic guitar for me like it was Woodstock. A true gent, he even let me sit in and jam along with my old Special 20. Never forget that. Helluva nice guy.

@lizajanejohanneson7558

4y↑2

@@blondbowler8776 norton buffalo played with steve miller.

@blondbowler8776

@@lizajanejohanneson7558 Thank you for that. Ol' Nort. I shoulda known.

@maxromero2903

4y↑1

I interviewed Charlie Musslewhite when I was going to UCSC back in '80, when I was a Sociology major. He was playing at the High Country in Santa Cruz.

@johnwescott9008

2y↑2

Another superb band put together by the Ledgendary Paul Butterfield. Another brilliant Paul Butterfield solo in this superb track. Great playing from the rest of the band.

@mrvibe9957

4y↑10

Ralph Wash was so underrated as a guitarist..He came into the band after Buzz Feiten left and immediately added a severe funky blues character that Butter hadn’t had..I saw every incarnation of the PPBB..My favorite being the Pig Boy Crabshaw band...but I loved what Buzz Feiten brought as well..

@brotzmannsax

6y↑31

Butter's harp solo at 5:00 is incredible, my favorite harp player of all time, smokin' version!

@MrRezillo

I think he's playing 3rd position cross harp here.

@santifoster1741

I think he's just out of Key

@checkandraise1

don't you just know it

@debheise7158

31w

Butter back was the best!!

@9aaaoo185

2y↑1

かっこいいです。いい時代のいいブルース。

@robertthole695

2y↑1

this was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@sandrahammond5566

4y↑4

bad ass bass line, Rod Hicks!

@nenajohnson3676

3y↑2

I still live to listen to all his sounds! I'm blessed! They are sooo awesome

@glen7695

8y↑8

The rhythm guitar on this track is awesome--right in the pocket.
It makes the whole track. In classical music, they call these vocal runs "melismas". Butterfield's phrasing here is superb--and the drummer is right in the pocket. Great, great post!!!

@JoeyBnamlrp

Glen Cummings a

@JoeyBnamlrp

Glen Cummings and a

@BarryMiller2956

Glen Cummings Melismas, nice!

@JoeyBnamlrp

RT Thanks

RLTW

@richardthompson3104

I must agree Ralph's comping is uplifting. He goes from one great idea to another while as you say keeping it in the pocket. As jimbosity007 said it cooks. I say it's more like simmering tho.

@guitarnickbluealgroovyrus

1y↑1

Nice version with slight funky flavor...

@olly8

17w

🤚🏼ME !!
Always loved this!
It's my Sign.
~ Paul Butterfield KILLS!!
❤💯💥

@Aslantic7

6y↑9

i have always loved this band, although it did change over the years, but my greatest regret is that I never saw them in a live gig, not even sure if they came to the uk.However I did have all their albums and learned to play harmonica along with them, absolutely brilliant. Paul Butterfield has no equals.

@ninoldar

11y↑4

Gene Dinwiddie was responsible for many of the arrangements. Gotta love Dinwiddie!

@NicolletIslandSlim

9y↑15

A simply stunning and sublime, jazzy version of the old blues classic with wonderful horns....impeccable sound. What a great representation of the later Butterfield band!

@Dogheadj

9y↑4

Man, what a fucking groove!

@zenzen1916

1y↑1

Love and miss you Paul💔 you left me and your THREE sons way too soon, not by choice🥀

@maryrice3760

10y↑14

The man's soul was in heaven even before he passed out of this mortal coyle...

@Gwynbuck

coil

@rayberkin1079

9y↑15

That's How The Blues are Delivered!

@Dogheadj

9y↑2

Ray Berkin If I could give you 1,000 "Thumbs Up" for that remark, I would.

@elizabethbutterfield5453

11y↑4

Great photos!!! Not one of these incrediable musians were there for themselves...they gave blood ,100%...listen... and shame on the people who do not induct the Butterfield Band into the Rock & Roll and Roll Hall Of fame, 'cause these monsters paid thier dues from bein' to END! Still alive, tho.

@Stevenbalee

11y↑5

Best version I've heard in my opinion!

@Stevenbalee

3y↑1

My favorite version of this song. So good so soulful. The drums, bass guitar just drive the machine while then other accents of the harmonica and sax take it over the edge. So good.

@roberttemple2521

12y↑2

thank you thank you thank you. butter is my favorite harp, so heavy, like a harley tattoo come alive.

@bers9593

4y↑1

One collection of very fine musicians. The brothers laying it down.You gotta dig it.

@MrRezillo

4y↑1

I was lucky to see the original Butterfield Band at the height of their glory in Cambridge, can't remember the name of the famous club.

@robertschwartz9660

9y↑16

One of the best blues performances. As below - stunning...

@donbiancamano5663

10y↑6

Thanks - I appreciate Paul much more after hearing this.

@rodgarnay51

8y↑1

+Don Biancamano I'm telling you Don, I'm 64 years old, I've been a musician for 50 years, and I've never heard a band that could touch Butterfield in concert.

@ptong226

10y↑4

just love the sound of this. don't know exactly how to describe it, its just understated cool. these guys are too talented for the commercial music scene.

@JoeyBnamlrp

11y↑2

Paul did it all, and with the best around.....his music will always inspire those who listen KOH Joey B

@tomdeyoung4975

10y↑8

love this version,cool funky and mind blowing all at once

@grahamhilder2879

8y↑2

it cannot get any better than this

@navigator3744

11y↑2

I saw him in Las Vegas in 1973 with the "Better Days" band and he sounded in top form. One of my all time favorite bands was the Paul Butterfield Blues Band with Mike Bloomfield; (the album where they are standing in front of the incense shop), with Look Over Yonder's Wall, and Got My Mojo Workin. Great harp and guitar playing on that album.

@jlow4214

The Peace Project that’s the first album, Bloomfield’s guitar run on Mellow Down Easy is my all time. Peace brother.

@frettfrenzzey

9y↑5

Master in blues

@CrossBonesAlex

10y↑2

A true gem

@dosanchoas

7y↑4

LIFE CHANGING!!! had TREMENDOUS good fortune to see & hear this tune performed w/this line-up!!
i'll keep searching for vid of live performance, but in meantime, THX MUCH for posting!!

@mwngw

5y↑14

This era was a big disappointment for me when I finally got to see Butterfield on the west coast. I'd first heard Butter in '68 on LP, started playing harp, and Butter really became for me the penultimate harmonica icon...my musical hero of the late 60's. But what I could have never guessed was the straight ahead blues and the superlative East-West, Pigboy Crabshaw releases were to be left in Butter's past. He had already begun his jazz fusion era...and I didn't know it. When I walked thru the doors of the Golden Bear in HB, I could barely contain my excitement. By the time the band (which had already had a big turnover) was into the first number, I was mystified with the jazz I was hearing. After the 2nd number, I was crushed. Yes, my musical vision was limited...but I was so raveled by what I'd heard, I think I was depressed for awhile. Not many years later I heard on L.A. morning news Paul had died. His passing was a big lesson in change. Things don't stay the same, no matter how one's youthful, innocent desire wants things remain the same.

@robertanderson7049

3y↑2

They often got into fusion in live performances. In the studio they kept mostly to simple blues. They were one of the best jam bands from mid 60s to early 70s. Paul died age 44- heroin is bad mojo.

@robertanderson7049

3y↑1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qikZZ6YX2H4

@HaniJIsmail

3y↑4

@@robertanderson7049 Yes that is true. Just listen to the title track on 'East-West' a few times and Work song also on that album. They were always into Jazz even with Bloomfield

@Randysinger

12y↑2

omg, what a version.......

@ptong226

11y↑1

oh that harmonica and that groove.............it's like an evil spell that corrupts you!

@radicalradioOz

I love it.

@nlmoss

10y↑16

Who even needs a guitar? Paul Butterfield blowing the blues. Damn.

@kevinskychuck

7y↑1

Needs Elvin

@jonnybeck6723

6y↑3

Ralph Wash was cookin' with a style all his own...

@jonsteelman6871

6y↑3

absolutely the case. he didn't follow the mold of Bloomfield, Bishop, Feiten, et al. Wash is kind of a fusion of blues, R&B, jazz and himself. on this cut he made his mark.

@sandragriffiths9692

3y↑1

Oh yeah

@intuneorange

Buzz Feiten guitar was a good fit with Butter

@magnificumimperium8392

9y↑6

Great band !!!!

@rhauf55

10y↑6

Great arrangement. Very musical. And that's sayin' something!

@bensblues

4y↑1

Only two players who can play that much like albert king

@AFaceintheCrowd01

5y↑4

Hey, now this is something -- right from that holy mu-shu beef, chicken and shrimp of an opening groove. This is my second-fave Butter lineup.

@waltermanjeje5485

11y↑1

great band, perfect ambiance. Sweet smoke spirit.....

@checkandraise1

12y↑3

among the best live sets of any song, any where, any time. Butterfield survives, indeed flourishes without Bloomfield, Bishop; but he just keeps refining that harp technique while he pushes that horn section like nobody ever has or will again.

@jimbosity007

9y↑20

Oh Good Lord this cooks!

@DuneAquaViva

11y↑2

RIP The Great Rod Hicks...who you hear here on Bass...!

@MarkSmith-dp2qe

4y↑1

Had their shit toooogther!!!!!!😎

@MrBluesFool

10y↑10

Really nice take on this blues classic! One of the great Vocalists / Harp players of his (or any time) Nice Post!

@timlanger1785

5y↑1

Holy shit, this is great....

@ResevoirDogg7

6y↑1

paul is just KILLING IT with that got damn harp!

@JoeyBnamlrp

9y↑5

I think this is a great tune that the PBB really put their souls into it..That's where it has to come from....
KOH

@chinzebo

8y↑3

FABULOUS~ Thank you SO much for sharing.

@bjgrant1234

9y↑15

this is a bad ass line-up...

@georgegonzalez1996

5y↑1

I saw this band the summer of ‘71 in Seattle, probably with this same band. It was an awesome show. The opening band was a band i had never heard of, they were promoting their first album... the name of the band is Earth Wind and Fire! Unbelievable show!!!

@ralphphillips2803

5y↑1

I bet it was!!

@jeromeburoker1770

40w

Eagles Auditorium?

@craigmccauley3972

6y↑1

Love the blues!

@NewHarmonica

12y↑2

Freakin' Awesome !

@mothandrust1

9y↑14

really between blues and jazz, somewhere...great sounds! I still have the harmonica poster that came with the Better Days album...

@brettbaxter4860

5y↑2

I had no idea this even existed before this morning. Thank you, slightly weird coworker.

@Kris2985

8y↑3

ohh man, pleasure, in this lyric. in this verse

@frogeregis

12y↑1

J'adore!!!

@sandragriffiths9692

With knobs on!

@CrossBonesAlex

10y↑3

Fantastic guitar solo around 10:30 - wow!

@giovannicorsino921

9y↑5

david sanborn....wow

@sheilamayren9672

5y↑1

WOW !

@blaudrogist

12y↑1

Butterfield did this as his opening track at Woodstock but it was the one that got away- no footage exists although this must have been pretty close. Butter was the only guy who had electric guitars and a horn section in tow to work. Others tried, badly. This is a great posting, well done!

@Aslantic7

8y↑3

This is one band I never saw in the UK, don't even know if they ever came but wish I had seen them live.He was my all time favourite musician.

@AFaceintheCrowd01

I lived in London during the good years and probably would've noticed if they'd come over.

@zombiegator1

9y↑3

David Sanborn, I did not know that, cool! I like this uptempo beat to what is usually a rather slow blues!

@northbayguitar

10y↑5

HELL yes!

@Dogheadj

9y↑10

I do believe that this is the first time in my YouTube history that I haven't seen at least one single hater on the message thread. That says a WHOLE lot!

@ericholdsworth6611

if you hate this then you can't type your dead,at least from the neck up

@jeffreykocher8941

Yes but there are at least 21 morons or deaf individuals listening to this.

@misissippicadillacbluesban2569

10y↑3

Thanks for posting! This is killer!

@bobburroughs6241

7y↑1

Magic, thanks!

@butterfielddocumentary6262

There's a Butterfield doc premiering soon: Horn from the Heart: The Paul Butterfield Story. Find us on Facebook & Twitter @ButterfieldDoc or at www.hornfromtheheart.com ❤️ Sanborn, Madaio, Lawrence all playing here are in it, among many others.

@ireneruthfox

8y↑3

The drummer Dennis Whitted went on to play with Bonnie Raitt after this. This is one of Paul's many great bands.

@reverendwalter

9y↑4

DAMN......!!

@christianboddum8783

7y↑3

I love me some Buzzy but this is great too!!

@bpillers

10y

This is how i remember it live!!!! Thanks so much for posting!

@angelosgarioto5878

5y↑1

Magnifica performance

@nobinpradhan7646

2y↑1

Bluesy blues....

@tassuad

10y↑4

un des grands harmonicistes blancs

@elizabethbutterfield5453

11y↑1

YES, I think this is the way it was suppos'to be done!

@raymondsemper5161

5y↑1

Hi Liz, hope you don't mind me calling you Liz. Are you Paul Butterfield's daughter?

@stevecaldwell5416

Blues masters, Paul BUTTERFIELD, CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE! BLUES WITH A FELLIN! BASSMAN🎼🎸

@Feedurehed

9y↑4

Its in the grooooooooove

@jkajje2945

Best band ever

@kimmartin7024

Love it the blues

@JasonHi

11y

Major thanks for posting this.

@yebouti

8y↑1

What a great track! Butters is entering Little Walter territory!

@BarryMiller2956

7y↑1

Bopity Funk the pupil surpassed the master!

@DuneAquaViva

12y↑1

Rod Hicks the best bass player until Jaco came along...Rod played bass for Aretha on Respect also Ray Charles...that's the first thing Paul Told me when I met him..I was speechless something rare for me...

@beep1484

very cool guitar

@MrMayarama

10y

thanks nice share...

@checkandraise1

11y↑1

Crabshaw and later horns probably arranged by Dinwiddie/Sanborn collaboration, i saw the post Bloomfield Butterfield live about 8 -10 times from about '68 to '70 in California at various venues and have the hearing loss to prove it. (and i guess this makes me old too!) i have never heard ANY live music that was more of a turn on and satisfying than Butterfield and his various configurations. however, after this cut his sort of dwindled - too much wine and women, carried him to his grave.

@michaelgregory2500

11y

Just YEAH!

@peterden9076

11y↑3

That would be Dm, but I think you're right, thank you! Tried it out with a little bit more conviction and it seems to fit. By the way, In my opinion: in one single performance two of the greatest harmonica solo's ever.