Mean Old World
Chuck Berry Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, this is a mean old world, to try to live in all by yourself
This is a mean old world, to try to live in all by yourself
When you can't have the one you really love
Have to use somebody else

Last night I lost the best girl I ever had
Last night I lost the best girl I ever had
That is why this evenin', that is why I feel so bad

I got the blues, baby, I gotta' pack my few rags and go
I got the blues, baby, I gotta' pack my few rags and go




I know you don't really love me darlin'
Ya out ballin' Mr. So-and-So

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Chuck Berry's song "Mean Old World" express the hardships of living in a world where love is not reciprocated. The song starts with the line "This is a mean old world, to try to live in all by yourself," which implies that the world is hard to navigate without the support of someone you love. The idea of unrequited love is presented in the lines "When you can't have the one you really love, have to use somebody else." This suggests that one may resort to using someone else as a substitute for the person they really love, which is not a fulfilling way to live.


The second verse reveals that the singer has lost the "best girl" he ever had, causing him to feel such intense sadness that it affects him even the next day. The chorus's repetition of "I got the blues, baby, I gotta' pack my few rags and go," highlights the feelings of loss that the singer is experiencing. The last line, "Ya out ballin' Mr. So-and-So," portrays feelings of jealousy towards the person his lover is seeing instead of him. The song shows the challenges of love, how its absence can make life hard to live, and how losing someone can have profound effects on mental wellbeing.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, this is a mean old world, to try to live in all by yourself
Living alone in this unkind world is difficult and challenging


This is a mean old world, to try to live in all by yourself
Trying to survive alone in this world is not easy


When you can't have the one you really love
When you can't be with the person you truly love


Have to use somebody else
Being with someone else as a substitute for the one you love


Last night I lost the best girl I ever had
I lost the love of my life last night


That is why this evenin', that is why I feel so bad
The reason I am feeling terrible this evening is due to the loss of my love


I got the blues, baby, I gotta' pack my few rags and go
I am heartbroken and have to leave with only a few belongings


I know you don't really love me darlin', Ya out ballin' Mr. So-and-So
I understand that you don't love me and you are spending time with someone else




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aaron T-Bone Walker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@stephenabelsr

As usual, Mr. Johnson is appreciative of all of the musicians around him. Another group that is not trying to out-do each other. Just play and enjoy everybody's abilities. RIP Mr. Johnson.

@stewartchampion4260

Damn that was some nice organ work. All round class. Perfect. I rate this as some of the best work any of them have done. Just a perfect time when just the right musicians got together and played. Spot on

@AB-mf8le

Of all of the achievements to Keith Richards' name, you can tell that bringing Johnny Johnson and Chuck back together is one of his proudest. He talks about it often and gladly. What a man

@sgt.pepper1956

I salute Keith Richards for getting this thing together! It was not easy. And Johnnie Johson is great! Keith asked him to play on his solo record.

@emmanuelcoletta1241

Putain là c’est la classe !! Je réécoute depuis des années et m’en lasse jamais.
Johnnie le retour …. Merci keith !!

@redoz9768

That was great, so good to see Chuck Berry jamming with these guys.

@murph5438

Great group --- all stars --- Chuck Berry really sings the blues!! This is truly a masterpiece

@joellebenoit9980

Chuck Leavell is not only a great pianist but the lucky one who plays whith two of the greatest frontmen : Chuck and Mick!!!

@beatlemx1

Johnnie Johnson... A real master on the piano. Great jam, Simply the best if the best... Oh my my!

@notbraindead7298

Johnnie Johnson is a 1st rate star in his own right.

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