Lady Day and John Coltrane
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics


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Ever feel kind of down and out
You don't know just what to do?
Living all of your days in darkness
Let the sun shine through
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere
You lost your way?
And if you don't get help quick
You won't make it through the day?

Could you call on Lady Day?
Could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!

Plastic people with plastic minds
Are on their way to plastic homes
No beginning, there ain't no ending
Just on and on and on and on and on
It's all because they're so afraid to say that they're alone
Until our hero rides in, rides in on his saxophone

Could you call on Lady Day?
Could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!

All right

Ever feel kind of down and out
You don't know just what to do?
Living all of your days in darkness
Let the sun shine through
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere
You lost your way?
And if you don't get help quick
You won't make it through the day?

Could you call on Lady Day?
And could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away
Yeah, they'll wash your troubles away




They'll wash your troubles away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gil Scott-Heron's "Lady Day and John Coltrane" is a call for help and a tribute to two of the most influential African American musicians of the 20th century. The song starts with the singer acknowledging the feeling of being lost and helpless: "Ever feel kind of down and out/You don't know just what to do?" However, he quickly offers a solution, implying that the listener could call upon the spirits of Lady Day (Billie Holiday) and John Coltrane, two jazz giants who left a significant mark on the history of music. The singer believes that these two artists could help the listener overcome their troubles and offer guidance: "Now, 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles/Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!" The lyrics also highlight the artificiality of modern society, as the singer describes people with "plastic minds" and "plastic homes" who are afraid to admit their loneliness - and how these issues can be resolved through the power of music and the memory of great artists.


Line by Line Meaning

Ever feel kind of down and out
Have you ever felt low and helpless?


You don't know just what to do?
You are clueless about what actions to take?


Living all of your days in darkness
Every day feels like a struggle with no hope in sight


Let the sun shine through
Allow some positivity and hope to come through


Ever feel that somehow, somewhere
Have you ever had a sense of being lost and directionless?


You lost your way?
Do you feel like you have no idea about what to do in life?


And if you don't get help quick
If you don't get assistance soon enough


You won't make it through the day?
You may not survive the current situation


Could you call on Lady Day?
Can you seek help from Billie Holiday?


Could you call on John Coltrane?
Can you reach out to John Coltrane?


Now, 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Because they, Lady Day and John Coltrane, can help you solve your problems


Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!
You can get rid of your problems


Plastic people with plastic minds
Shallow and superficial people with no depth of thought


Are on their way to plastic homes
They are heading towards a life marked by artificiality and fakeness


No beginning, there ain't no ending
Their lives have no purpose, no start or end


Just on and on and on and on and on
A never-ending cycle of monotony


It's all because they're so afraid to say that they're alone
Their inability to acknowledge their loneliness adds to their misery


Until our hero rides in, rides in on his saxophone
But when the hero or someone who can help arrives, he will do so with his saxophone


Could you call on Lady Day?
Referencing the earlier line as Lady Day (Billie Holiday) can help in times of need


And could you call on John Coltrane?
Referencing the earlier line as John Coltrane can help in times of need


Now, 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Reiterating the help that Lady Day and John Coltrane can offer


Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!
They can get rid of all your problems


All right
Expression of agreement, as if saying okay to following lines


They'll wash your troubles away
Repeating Lady Day and John Coltrane's ability to help with your problems


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expression of excitement and enthusiasm on this ability to offer help




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gil Scott-Heron

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@chamomile08

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Ever feel kind of down and out
You don't know just what to do?
Living all of your days in darkness
Let the sun shine through
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere
You lost your way?
And if you don't get-a help quick
You won't make it through the day?

[Chorus]
Could you call on Lady Day?
Could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, ‘cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!

[Verse 2]
Plastic people with plastic minds
Are on their way to plastic homes
No beginning, there ain't no ending
Just on and on and on and on and on
It's all because they're so afraid to say that they're alone
Until our hero rides in, rides in on his saxophone

[Chorus]
Could you call on Lady Day?
Could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, ‘cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!

[Interlude 1]
All right

[Verse 3]
Ever feel kind of down and out
You don't know just what to do?
Living all of your days in darkness
Let the sun shine through
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere
You lost your way?
And if you don't get-a help quick
You won't make it through the day?

[Chorus]
Could you call on Lady Day?
And could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, ‘cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away
Yeah, they'll wash your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...



@frankteika3709

"Lady Day And John Coltrane"


Ever feel kinda down and out, you don't know just what to do--
Livin' all of your days in darkness let the sun shine through--
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere, you've lost your way--
And if you don't get help quick you won't make it through the day--
Could you call on Lady Day,
Could you call on John Coltrane
Now ‘cause they'll
They'll wash your troubles
Your troubles your troubles
Your troubles away!

Plastic people with plastic minds are on their way to plastic homes--
No beginning there ain't no ending just on and on and on and on and on, it's
All because they're so afraid to say that they're alone--
Until our hero rides in, rides in on his saxophone.
Could you call on Lady Day,
Could you call on John Coltrane
Now ‘cause they'll,
They'll wash your troubles,
Your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles away!

Ever feel kinda down and out, you don't know just what to do--
Livin' all of your days in darkness let the sun shine through--
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere, you've lost your way--
And if you don't get help quick you won't make it through the day--
Could you call on Lady Day,
Could you call on John Coltrane
Now ‘cause they'll,
They'll wash your troubles,
Your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles away!

Your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles away...

Your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles...



@smajcsi

Ever feel kind of down and out
You don't know just what to do?
Living all of your days in darkness
Let the sun shine through
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere
You lost your way?
And if you don't get help quick
You won't make it through the day?

Could you call on Lady Day?
Could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, ‘cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!

Plastic people with plastic minds
Are on their way to plastic homes
No beginning, there ain't no ending
Just on and on and on and on and on
It's all because they're so afraid to say that they're alone
Until our hero rides in, rides in on his saxophone

Could you call on Lady Day?
Could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, ‘cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away!

All right

Ever feel kind of down and out
You don't know just what to do?
Living all of your days in darkness
Let the sun shine through
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere
You lost your way?
And if you don't get help quick
You won't make it through the day?

Could you call on Lady Day?
And could you call on John Coltrane?
Now, ‘cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away
Yeah, they'll wash your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah



All comments from YouTube:

@MrDallman

Dear Gil , I’m a 60 year man living in England and have been listening to your beautiful Jazz/blues music , sweet poetry and fab lyrics since I was 17.
Oh how I wish I could have seen you live....your music and wise words mean the world to me and millions of other like minded fans.
God bless you Gil and sleep well , you are missed so so so much.

@moniquecavard745

Yessss !!!

@davidforshaw4998

👍 Much agreed! Also in the UK. 🎵=🗝️

@waynebutfoy3759

Lucky to see Gil live many times in London and once in NYC. A prophet sent here by God. Timeless. 1:Love

@TajluchelleRobertson

​@@davidforshaw4998😅

@salpot-dh7ur

was lucky to see him at Glastonbury when I was 19 (am now 57) changed my mind, my music taste and my life. was absolutely mind-blowing

2 More Replies...

@billt5410

Can the bass line and keyboard be flying anymore higher? Wordsmith and musicianship at highest. Gil is immortal.

@nicksangiacomo3366

This song literally sounds like it could have been written yesterday. Ahead of his time.

@layceelay5382

It really does. Most modern fuck has such a similar pow. Even the beat of this song sounds like late 90s jungle

@TastyChevelle

@Laycee Lay Hard to beat modern fuck, man.

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