Stop Breakin' Down Blues
Eric Clapton 2004 / Me & Mr. Johnson Lyrics
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Some pretty mama starts breakin' down with me
Stop breakin' down, yes stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
I can't walk the streets now, can't consolate my mind
Some no-good woman she starts breakin' down
The stuff I got gonna bust your brains out
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
Now, you Saturday night womens, you love to ape and clown
You won't do nothin' but tear a good man reputation down
Stop breakin' down, please stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
Now, I give my baby, now the ninety-nine degree
She jumped up and throwed a pistol down on me
Stop breakin' down, please stop breakin' down
Stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
I can't start walkin' down the streets
But my pretty mama don't start breakin' down with me
Stop breakin' down, yeah stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
"Stop Breakin' Down Blues" is a song by Robert Johnson, originally released in 1937, and later covered by Eric Clapton in 2004 for his album "Me and Mr. Johnson." The song is about women who are trying to seduce the singer but he tells them to stop breaking down and acting foolishly. The singer has something that will "bust your brains out" and "make you lose your mind," suggesting that he has a sexual power over these women that they cannot resist.
The opening lines of "Every time I'm walkin' down the streets / Some pretty mama starts breakin' down with me" suggest that the singer is a desirable man that many women are attracted to. The repetition of "Stop breakin' down" throughout the song is the singer's attempt to discourage these women from trying to seduce him. He warns them that what he has to offer is very powerful and could cause them harm. The line "You won't do nothin' but tear a good man reputation down" suggests that these women's actions are seen as destructive to society.
The verse "I give my baby, now the ninety-nine degree / She jumped up and throwed a pistol down on me" suggests that the singer has a jealous partner who is willing to use violence to keep him from being unfaithful. Despite this threat, the singer is still pursued by other women in the street. He concludes with the line "I can't start walkin' down the streets / But my pretty mama don't start breakin' down with me," suggesting that he can't even walk down the street without being hassled, but still he continues to attract women.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I'm walkin' down the streets
Whenever I take a stroll through town
Some pretty mama starts breakin' down with me
Some attractive woman starts flirting with me
Stop breakin' down, yes stop breakin' down
Stop trying to seduce me, I'm not interested
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
The things I possess are powerful and will overwhelm you
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
It has the potential to drive you crazy
I can't walk the streets now, can't consolate my mind
I can't wander around carefree without distractions
Some no-good woman she starts breakin' down
Some immoral woman tries to seduce me
Stop breakin' down, please stop breakin' down
Please leave me alone and stop trying to seduce me
The stuff I got gonna bust your brains out
My possessions could have a powerful effect on you
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
They could cause you to go insane
Now, you Saturday night womens, you love to ape and clown
You women who go out on the town on Saturday nights love to act foolishly and show off
You won't do nothin' but tear a good man reputation down
Your actions only serve to damage the reputation of good men
Stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
My belongings could affect you greatly
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
It has the potential to drive you crazy
Now, I give my baby, now the ninety-nine degree
I give my woman everything she wants
She jumped up and throwed a pistol down on me
She became angry and threatened me with a gun
Stop breakin' down, please stop breakin' down
Please stop your negative behavior towards me
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
My belongings could have a great effect on you
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
It could cause you to go insane
I can't start walkin' down the streets
I can't even begin to take a walk through town
But my pretty mama don't start breakin' down with me
Without some woman trying to seduce me
Stop breakin' down, yeah stop breakin' down
I don't want or need your advances, please stop
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
My possessions could have a significant impact on you
Ooh, it'll make you lose your mind
It could drive you to madness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind