Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz sing… Read Full Bio ↴Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer whose critical success and relative commercial obscurity (she never had a hit record) earned her a reputation in her lifetime as a "jazz musician's jazz singer".

She is noted for her elegant interpretations of standards, ballads, and blues. Her characteristic inflections have sometimes prompted comparisons to stylistic devices employed by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Jones' recordings, particularly her debut record (Don't Go To Strangers, 1960), have earned wide admiration in a new generation of listeners.

She had three Grammy nominations, for the Don't Go to Strangers LP in 1960, Save Your Love for Me in 1981, and My Buddy in 1999.

Jones had a musical partnership of more than thirty years with tenor sax player Houston Person, who received equal billing with her. He also produced her albums and served as her manager.

Jones was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and raised in Harlem. She died at the age of 72 from cancer. She was survived by her husband, John Medlock, and a granddaughter.

Blues to End All Blues
Etta Jones Lyrics

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I'm blue and I messed up bad
Better keep away from me
So blue and disgusted
Better keep away from me
I can't control my temper
I'm as mean as I can be

You can say I'm temperamental

But I'm really up a tree
I waited for my baby
But he didn't wait for me

I've got the blues
It's the blues to end all blues
Don't want no more lovin'
There ain't no other man I can use

Now patience is a virtue
I've been patient long enough
Instead of all this virtue
I'm gonna get real tough

I've got the blues
It's the blues to end all blues
Don't want no more lovin'
There ain't no other man I can use

If he comes back home the front way
I'll put him on the floor
If he comes back through the window
I'll throw him out the door

I've got the blues
It's the blues to end all blues

Don't want no more lovin'
There ain't no other man I can use

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Blues To End All Blues" by Etta Jones are about heartbreak and a woman who is feeling extremely blue and frustrated after being stood up by her lover. She sings about how her emotions are uncontrollable, and she is mean and temperamental because of the pain she is feeling. The singer warns others to stay away from her as she is in a bad place emotionally. Jones sings about having waited for her lover, but he did not show up, leaving her feeling sad and despondent. She feels that she cannot take any more heartache and does not want any other man in her life as no one else can offer her what she desires.

Jones expresses her frustration and anger at being patient for so long, waiting for her lover to return. She has had enough and is not going to take it anymore. The singer emphasizes that she has had the "blues to end all blues" - meaning that she has experienced a level of despair that is worse than anything she has ever felt before. She sees no hope in love and relationships, and her patience has run dry. She declares that she doesn't want any more love in her life and there is no other man out there worthy of her love.

In general, "Blues To End All Blues" is a classic blues song that explores feelings of heartbreak and despair. The lyrics speak to the universal theme of being let down by a lover and feeling hurt and broken-hearted. Jones's powerful voice and emotive delivery of the lyrics make this song a classic of the genre.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm blue and I messed up bad
I am feeling down and regretful for my actions

Better keep away from me
I am in a bad place and it is best to avoid me

So blue and disgusted
I am very unhappy and disappointed

I can't control my temper
I am unable to manage my anger

I'm as mean as I can be
I am being very cruel and unpleasant

You can say I'm temperamental
I can be swayed easily by my emotions

But I'm really up a tree
I am in a difficult situation

I waited for my baby
I patiently anticipated the return of my lover

But he didn't wait for me
My lover did not reciprocate my feelings and left me waiting

I've got the blues
I am feeling a deep sense of sadness

It's the blues to end all blues
I am experiencing the most intense sadness