Black and Blue
FES Lyrics
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Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
What did I do to be so black and blue?
No joys for me, no company
Even the mouse ran from my house
All my life through I've been so black and blue
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Tell me, what did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
The song "Black and Blue" by FES is a hauntingly beautiful blues song that explores the pain and suffering of a person who is discriminated against due to the color of their skin. The first verse describes the physical and emotional pain that the singer is experiencing. The bed is cold and uncomfortable, and the pain in their head feels like a heavy burden. The second verse describes the loneliness and isolation that the singer feels. They have no joy or companionship and even the mouse runs away from their house. All their life, they have been black and blue, a reference to the bruises that they have received both physically and emotionally.
The chorus explores the internal conflict that the singer is feeling. They may be white on the inside, but the color of their skin is all that people see. They feel forlorn and lost in life, and they wonder why they were born. They are hurt inside, but even that doesn't help their case because they can't hide their skin color. The final verse discusses the singer's lack of hope for the future. They have no friends and feel like their only sin is their skin color. They plead with the world to tell them what they did to deserve this treatment, but they know deep down that their only crime is the color of their skin.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
I'm alone and my mattress is uncomfortable
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I have a headache and feel terrible
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Why am I in such a miserable state?
No joys for me, no company
I have nothing good in my life, no one to spend time with
Even the mouse ran from my house
I'm so unpleasant that even pests avoid me
All my life through I've been so black and blue
This has been a lifelong struggle for me
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
My internal goodness doesn't matter to others
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
My appearance betrays my suffering
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I'm filled with despair and life is difficult
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I feel pain and question my existence
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I don't see a positive future and have no support system
My only sin is in my skin
The only thing wrong with me is my race
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Why am I in such a miserable state?
Tell me, what did I do?
Please tell me why my life is so difficult
What did I do? What did I do?
I need answers about my suffering
What did I do? What did I do?
I need someone to help me understand
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm desperate to know the reason for my pain
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RAZAF, ANDY / BROOKS, HARRY / WALLER, THOMAS 'FATS'
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind