Born Under a Bad Sign
Jack Bruce Lyrics


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One, two
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I been on my own ever since I was ten
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

I can't read, haven't learned how to write
My whole life has been one big fight
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

I ain't lyin'
If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

Wine and women is all I crave
A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all





Yeah, my bad luck boy
Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jack Bruce's song "Born Under a Bad Sign" speak to a life of constant struggle and difficulty, from the very beginning of the singer's life. He laments being born under a bad sign, which seems to signify his consistent bad luck and challenges. The singer declares that if it weren't for bad luck, he wouldn't have any luck at all, suggesting a pervasive sense of hopelessness and frustration.


The song speaks to experiences of poverty, illiteracy, and isolation, as the singer claims that he can't read or write and that he's been on his own since he was ten. Despite these challenges, the singer seems to cope through heavy drinking and seeking out women, perhaps as a form of comfort or escape. The final lines of the song emphasize the singer's sense of hopelessness and the persistent difficulties he faces.


Overall, the lyrics to "Born Under a Bad Sign" convey a sense of resigned sadness and defeat, as the singer declares that he's been down since he began to crawl and that bad luck is his only constant companion.


Line by Line Meaning

One, two
Counting in before the start of the song


Born under a bad sign
Suggesting a life full of misfortune and bad luck


I been down since I begin to crawl
Feeling worn down and defeated since infancy


If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
Believing that without unfortunate circumstances, life would have no luck


Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
Lacking close companionship and relying solely on adversity


I been on my own ever since I was ten
Independently fending for oneself since childhood


I can't read, haven't learned how to write
Lacking basic education and literacy skills


My whole life has been one big fight
Life has been a constant struggle and battle


I ain't lyin'
Asserting truthfulness in the following statement


If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
Without misfortune, there would be no luck at all


If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
Only experiencing extreme misfortune throughout life


Wine and women is all I crave
Focusing solely on indulging in vices


A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave
Desiring a particular type of woman and predicting that they will be the cause of eventual demise


Yeah, my bad luck boy
Acknowledging the pattern of misfortune in life


Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
Having experienced misfortune since birth




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOOKER T. JONES, WILLIAM BELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@spmoran4703

Jack Bruce and Rory Gallagher a Celtic storm .

@coinneachmaclellan3121

Taste that Cream...I saw Rory Gallagher with Taste and Jack Bruce with Cream back in the '60s...great to see a couple of Celts cooking together...

@chicklets4ever51

Jack Bruce is a beast. Monster bassist and one of the best voices in rock.

@ThomasRogan-gc5pi

Jack revolutionized the bass unbelievable player! Any doubt on his effect on guitar players listen to Clapton with and without Jack! No comparison!

@kati1017

Jack was the best part of Cream, IMO. That direct strong voice and driving bass. Just drew you in and touched your soul!

@craigwagner763

Rory has stood the test of time, still one of the all time greats.

@indieshack4476

So used to hearing people who can't sing, it comes like a breath of air to hear Jack Bruce - immediately takes me back to the Cream days. Hadn't seen a lot of late Rory stuff - total legend, both of them, both played at Cream's farewell concert!

@buddyboy6071

So used to hearing people who can't sing? You definitely need to listen to more music. Jack is great but there are loads, and I do mean loads, of singers that are far better than Jack.

@keithshwalbe6981

God bless Rory and Jack. Thank you for the music.

@procopiojrpalacios9702

At the end, Jack proclaimed, "The great Rory Gallagher!" Thank you!

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