Jimmy Hughes (born 25th April 1935, Leighton, Alabama, U.S.A.) established … Read Full Bio ↴Jimmy Hughes (born 25th April 1935, Leighton, Alabama, U.S.A.) established producer Rick Hall's fledgling Fame studio as an R&B mecca with his 1964 blues ballad "Steal Away." The ex-gospel singer hooked up with Hall in 1962 but it wasn't until the explosive "Steal Away" was issued on the Fame label that his career took off. With an intense, crying vocal style that was perfect for deep soul ballads, Hughes scored with the pleading "Why Not Tonight" in 1967, although the untypically uptempo "Neighbor, Neighbor" proved another giant hit. Hughes broke away from Hall and recorded an album for Volt before retiring from performing in the mid-'70s.

Stormy Monday Blues
Jimmy Hughes Lyrics

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They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday's just as bad
They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday's just as bad
Wednesday's worse, and Thursday's also sad

Yes the eagle flies on Friday, and Saturday I go out to play
Eagle flies on Friday, and Saturday I go out to play
Sunday I go to church, then I kneel down and pray

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me

Lord have mercy, my heart's in misery
Crazy about my baby, yes, send her home to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Stormy Monday Blues" by Jimmy Hughes paint a bleak picture of the week, beginning with the titular day, which is seemingly the worst day of the week. However, as the lyrics progress, it becomes clear that every day is bad in its own way. Wednesday is even worse, and by Thursday, the mood is truly somber. Friday marks a turning point, as the eagle flies and the weekend begins, but even then, there is a sense of sadness and desperation.

The song's protagonist is clearly struggling with some kind of hardship, as evidenced by his plea for mercy from the Lord. He is also deeply in love with someone, though whether they are together or not is unclear. The repeated line "crazy about my baby, yes, send her home to me" underscores the singer's desire and sadness, as he longs for his lover's return.

Overall, the lyrics of "Stormy Monday Blues" convey a sense of hopelessness and despair, but also a glimmer of hope in the form of love and faith.

Line by Line Meaning

They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday's just as bad
Monday may seem like the worst, but Tuesday is just as bad with all its troubles.

Wednesday's worse, and Thursday's also sad
The situation gets even worse on Wednesday, and Thursday is equally as sorrowful.

Eagle flies on Friday, and Saturday I go out to play
On Friday, things start to look up like an eagle soaring high. Saturday is a day for leisure and fun.

Sunday I go to church, then I kneel down and pray
Sunday is reserved for worshipping God and praying for help and guidance.

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me
I am in need of God's mercy and compassion to help me through these tough times.

Lord have mercy, my heart's in misery
My heart is full of pain and misery, that I need God's mercy to overcome.

Crazy about my baby, yes, send her home to me
I am deeply in love with my partner and long for her return to bring happiness back into my life.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Aaron T-Bone Walker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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