Busted
Count Basie Orchestra/Ray Charles Lyrics
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Oh, no, no, no
Well, I know
Yeah, my bills are all due and the baby needs shoes
But I'm busted
Cotton is down to a quarter a pound
But I'm busted right now
A big stack of bills that gets bigger each day
The county's gonna haul my belongings away
'Cause I'm busted right now
Oh, yes, I am
Well, I went to my brother to ask for a loan
'Cause I was busted
I hate to beg like a dog without his bone
But I'm busted, I'll tell ya
My brother said, "There ain't a thing I can do
My wife and my kids are all down with the flu
And I was just thinking about calling on you
'Cause I'm busted myself"
Well, that's what he told me
Yeah, I am no thief, but a man can go wrong
When he, he's busted
The food that we canned last summer is gone
And I'm busted right now
Well, the fields are all bare and the cotton won't grow
Me and my family got to pack up and go
I'll make a living, where I don't know
'Cause I'm busted today
Y'all know I'm broke
I ain't got no money
I'm talkin' 'bout empty pockets
Ah, forget it
Ah, to hell with it
Yeah
The song "Busted" is a classic blues song performed by the Count Basie Orchestra and Ray Charles. The song follows the story of a man who is having a rough time financially, despite his best efforts to make ends meet. He's faced with a variety of setbacks, from failing crops to unpaid bills, and he's unable to find the help he needs to get by.
The lyrics of "Busted" are a poignant reminder of the struggles that people face when they fall on hard times. The song's central message is that life can be tough, and sometimes even your best efforts aren't enough to keep you afloat. The main character is portrayed as a proud man who is forced to beg for help, and he's met with rejection every step of the way.
One of the most interesting things about the song "Busted" is its origin. The song was actually written by country music legend Harlan Howard, who was known for his ability to write songs that captured the struggles of everyday people. Howard wrote the song in 1962, and it was first recorded by Johnny Cash the following year. The song was a hit for Cash, and it remains one of his most popular songs to this day.
Another interesting fact about "Busted" is the way that it blends different musical styles. The song is classified as a blues song, but it features elements of country and gospel music as well. This unique blending of styles was typical of Ray Charles, who was known for his ability to create songs that drew from a variety of different genres.
Overall, "Busted" is a powerful and moving song that continues to resonate with audiences to this day. Its timeless message of perseverance in the face of adversity is one that will continue to inspire people for generations to come.
Chords:
Verse/Intro: G
Bridge: C G D
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Starting the song on an upbeat note
Oh, no, no, no
Realizing the singer's dire straits
Well, I know
Acknowledgment of the situation at hand
Yeah, my bills are all due and the baby needs shoes
A situation of lack in provisions
But I'm busted
Wondering what to do in the face of financial challenge
Cotton is down to a quarter a pound
Gearing up for a cut in revenue
But I'm busted right now
Feeling the impact of the lack of money in real-time
I got a cow that went dry and a hen that won't lay
Listing more things going wrong instead of right
A big stack of bills that gets bigger each day
Being worried about mounting debt
The county's gonna haul my belongings away
Consequences of not being able to pay bills
'Cause I'm busted right now
Emphasizing the inability to do anything currently
Oh, yes, I am
Reinforcing the undeniable fact that the artist is broke
Well, I went to my brother to ask for a loan
Expressing desperation for financial help
'Cause I was busted
No way of hiding the financial issues anymore
I hate to beg like a dog without his bone
Feeling ashamed to ask for help
But I'm busted, I'll tell ya
Repeating the brokenness that is stopping the artist
My brother said, "There ain't a thing I can do'
Being told sorry there is no help to offer
My wife and my kids are all down with the flu
Another reason why said brother is unable to help
And I was just thinking about calling on you
Trying to turn the table on the singer for help
'Cause I'm busted myself"
Admitting to also being in a bind financially
Well, that's what he told me
Attention given to what the brother has said
Yeah, I am no thief, but a man can go wrong
Reflecting on other people's opinions of those in tough times
When he, he's busted
The negative connotations surrounding being broke
The food that we canned last summer is gone
All the provisions that could help have run out
And I'm busted right now
Repeating the reality of the situation
Well, the fields are all bare and the cotton won't grow
Economic hardship caused by failing crops
Me and my family got to pack up and go
Reluctance to move but no choice left
I'll make a living, where I don't know
Believing in the possibility of better days
'Cause I'm busted today
Current reality check of the state of brokenness - no better day yet in sight
Y'all know I'm broke
Putting it out unapologetically
I ain't got no money
Being straightforward with the lack of funds
I'm talkin' 'bout empty pockets
Repeating how broke the artist is
Ah, forget it
Giving up on lamenting the situation
Ah, to hell with it
Letting go of stress
Yeah
Ending the song as it had begun
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harlan Howard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind