Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues
FORD Robben Lyrics
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Ain't got no bounce in my shoes
Ain't got no fancy to tickle
I ain't got nothing but the blues
Ain't got no coffee that's perking
Ain't got no winnings to lose
I ain't got nothing but the blues
When trumpets flare up
I keep my hair up
I just can't make it come down
Believe me, peppie
I can't get happy
Since my ever-loving baby left town
Ain't got no rest in my slumbers
Ain't got no feelings to bruise
Ain't got no telephone numbers
I ain't got nothing but the blues
The lyrics of "Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues" by Ford Robben describe the singer's bleak state of being, which is filled with various absences and lacks. He lists off several things he is missing and seems to have resigned himself to his uninspired state of being. The repeated "I ain't got nothing but the blues" acts as a refrain throughout the song, emphasizing this central point.
Despite the pervasive sense of sadness and emptiness conveyed by the lyrics, there are moments that seem to lift the singer's spirits. When the trumpets flare up, he keeps his hair up, trying to hold on to some vestige of hope. However, this is ultimately culminates in a feeling of despair, as the refrain implies- he remains mired in the blues. The final lines of the song suggest a sense of isolation and loneliness, as he doesn't even have telephone numbers to call for company.
Overall, the song portrays the singer's sense of loss and emptiness, while the repeated refrain emphasizes its extent and power. The moments of hope throughout serve to underscore the ultimate realization that there isn't much to hold onto here, and the singer seems to be stuck in a rut of sadness and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't got the change of a nickel
I have no money whatsoever, not even a nickel in my pocket
Ain't got no bounce in my shoes
I have no energy or spring in my step, feeling low and down
Ain't got no fancy to tickle
I don't have any special inclination or desire to do something entertaining
I ain't got nothing but the blues
I'm left with nothing but a feeling of sadness and melancholy
Ain't got no coffee that's perking
I don't even have a fresh pot of coffee to perk me up
Ain't got no winnings to lose
I haven't won any fortune or gain, nor do I have anything at stake to lose
Ain't got a dream that is working
I don't have a viable or achievable goal or vision
When trumpets flare up
When there's a joyful or festive atmosphere
I keep my hair up
I try to be optimistic and cheerful
I just can't make it come down
But I can't shake off my gloom and depression
Believe me, peppie
I'm telling you, buddy
I can't get happy
I can't find any happiness or contentment in my situation
Since my ever-loving baby left town
Ever since my beloved partner left me, I've been feeling miserable
Ain't got no rest in my slumbers
I can't even find peace or solace in my sleep
Ain't got no feelings to bruise
I don't even have any emotions that can be hurt or affected
Ain't got no telephone numbers
I have no one to call or talk to, no social connections or support
I ain't got nothing but the blues
Again, all I have is the feeling of hopelessness and despair
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Spirit Music Group
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, DON GEORGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spartanm333
Yep understand. My son and I have something similar to an Esprit in origin, an Epiphone Casino Coupe, modelled on the Gibson ES339, a smaller bodied 335 which is light and sits a little easier. We like the P90s and the fully hollow body makes it pretty flexible for different tones. With a decent overdrive pedal like the BB and the tone rolled off you can get pretty close to Clapton's Gibson 335 woman tone. Being from the North of England, the fact three guitar playing Beatles had these at one stage kind of sealed the deal and you get the John Lennon twang straight out of the box. Just have to keep away from the amp or it feeds back (which can be fun).
We've got a project going right now which is interesting - I bought one of the last Fenix (Young Chang) Superstrats around 1988 which we are now stripping to re-condition. This Korean company was licensed and supplied with patterns by Fender to make Squiers quietly in the 80's in a period where Fender were cutting cost on production. The first off the line were straight Squiers, then the Korean's decided they could do better and started to build their own upgraded versions with better materials like Alder instead of laminated ply... but for the same price as the Squiers retail. By generation 3, they were producing stage quality guitars with custom upgrades like the Clapton pre-amp and bridge humbucker mods. These were priced against USA Stratocasters and Fender moved to shut them down, successfully. It's hard to tell exactly what is on the guitar as the parts are carefully unbranded apart for the Floyd Rose locking trem system. Its rock solid though and after 25 years in storage came out of the case with a straight neck and no issues other than crackle on the pots. Switches and pots I'll replace, but because it all looks decent quality I think I am going to restore the pickups it has rather than simply replace which would change the tone. But then again I fancy putting in a Gibson Burstbucker and 2 vintage Fender USA singles... will see how it goes. Not really a fan of the Floyd Rose but it does hold its tune well and the micro tuners at the bridge are easy to use.
Pictures (ours is Hendrix white)
http://guitar-auctions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lot0085.jpg
https://gsfanatic.com/aas_hirdetes_temp/pic/1033335_dsc0008.jpg
Best wishes from Guernsey (near France)
soerenguitarlessons
this song, which is a recomposition by an older blues standard, has such nice harmoni and chord voicing. Robben Ford really has this ability, to take a popular standard and make it sound fresh and even more interesting as the original. This is also a great song for practicing the symetric diminished scales, the diminshed wholetone scale and the melodic minor. After all these years I still use this song for practicing, and I never feel bored! great stuff!!
Carls Lobato
Also, as you mentioned, this is based off Mose Allison's version.
Carls Lobato
got any sheets?
Madeline Hirsch
Robben Ford is a brilliant guitar player with a beautiful voice. I start my day everyday with this song. It is ELEGANT, Robben!
Avisek Ganguly
Thing about Robben is the timing feel is impeccable...can't say the same for a lot of guitarists... specially in the blues
F Newman
elegant... refined, always a class act...
Herr Bönk
That was a sophisticated blues :)
AAA
Smokin performance by Robben!!!!
Thanks for uploading!
Patrice Davis
One of my favorite Robben renditions-and that was one hell of a fine band!
joseph votta
Robben + Roscoe Beck on 6 String Bass & Tommy on drums = "The Blue Line" - + Bill Boulibard on Hammond Organ. What a great sound he gets out of that Fender Elite! - my favorite sound of all his guitars!