Walker was born on 25th December 1949 in San Francisco, California; his parents were blues fans, and introduced him to the music when he was young. He learnt to play the guitar at the age of fourteen, and left home at sixteen to work as a performer. He soon met Mike Bloomfield, who introduced him to the Bay Area Blues scene. During the 1960s, Walker opened for such artists as Earl Hooker, Freddie King, and Lowell Fulson.
In 1975 he left the blues scene for ten years to sing with a gospel quartet called The Spiritual Corinthians. In 1980, he recorded an album with this group called God Will Provide. Walker left the Spiritual Corinthians in 1985, but has maintained a gospel influence in his music.
He returned to San Francisco in 1985, and formed a group called the Bosstalkers. He released four albums on the Hightone Records label before moving to Verve/Gitanes (a division of Polydor/Polygram). Walker released six albums with this label, and won a series of awards in the 1990s.
Walker has released several albums since leaving Verve, including four separate works between 2002 and 2003.
* Official site
Everybody's Had The Blues
Joe Louis Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And been used, I ain't lying
I've been used and abused
And I've got the blues, blues, blues
Over you
Everyone's has had it hard at some time
People trying to find a peace of mind
Trying to find a peace of mind
Over you
I lay every night thinking about my situation
I get the blues, right off the bat
If we can just have a decent conversation
You know that things wouldn't be so bad
Oh, I was cheated, why I don't know
And mistreated by a no good so and so
I've been cheated and mistreated
And I've got the blues, blues, blues
Over you
I lay every night thinking about my situation
I get the blues, right off the bat
If we can just have a decent conversation
You know that things wouldn't be so bad
You've got to live and let live
When we were together
All you wanted for me was to give
Now I'm not giving, you're barely living
You're on your own
You're living all alone
Now we're through, me and you
And I don't have the blues, blues, blues
Over you
In the first verse, the lyrics express the universal experience of feeling the blues at some point in life. The author acknowledges that they themselves have also been used and abused, resulting in a profound sense of sadness and melancholy, symbolized by the blues. They attribute these emotions to a specific person, suggesting that the end of a relationship or a negative experience has caused these feelings.
Moving on to the second verse, the lyrics indicate that everyone has gone through challenging times, trying to find inner peace and tranquility. The author admits to having made efforts to find such peace, emphasizing their genuine intention. However, the lyrics again connect these struggles to a specific individual, implying that this person is hindering the author's ability to find solace.
The third verse reveals that the author spends their nights reflecting on their situation, and immediately, they succumb to the blues. This suggests that the author's state of mind is fragile, easily affected by thoughts of their demise. The lyrics hint at the importance of open communication, as a decent conversation could potentially alleviate some of the pain and hardships they are experiencing.
The final verse shifts towards the perspective of the person who caused the turmoil. The lyrics imply that this person cheated and mistreated the author, leaving them with the lasting blues. The author reflects on the pain inflicted by this individual, describing them as a no-good individual. Despite the mistreatment, the author ultimately realizes that they are better off without this person, and no longer feel the blues over them.
Overall, these lyrics depict the universal nature of experiencing the blues, noting that everyone goes through challenging times. The lyrics also highlight the impact of a particular individual in causing the author's distress, emphasizing the significance of finding peace and communication for healing. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest a sense of resilience and growth, as the author recognizes that they are better off without the source of their blues.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyones has had the blues at some time
At some point in life, everyone has experienced sadness and despair
And been used, I ain't lying
People have taken advantage of me, I'm not exaggerating
I've been used and abused
I have been taken advantage of and mistreated
And I've got the blues, blues, blues
As a result, I feel deep sadness and despair
Over you
Because of you
People trying to find a peace of mind
People are struggling to find inner peace and tranquility
I've been trying, I ain't lying
I have been making sincere efforts, I'm not being dishonest
Trying to find a peace of mind
Striving to find inner peace and tranquility
I lay every night thinking about my situation
Every night, I lie down and contemplate my circumstances
I get the blues, right off the bat
I instantly feel overwhelming sadness
If we can just have a decent conversation
If only we could communicate effectively, honestly, and respectfully
You know that things wouldn't be so bad
You understand that our situation would improve
Oh, I was cheated, why I don't know
I was deceived, the reasons for which are unknown to me
And mistreated by a no good so and so
I was mistreated by a dishonest and unscrupulous person
I've been cheated and mistreated
I have been deceived and ill-treated
And I've got the blues, blues, blues
Consequently, I feel profound sadness and despair
I lay every night thinking about my situation
Every night, I lie down and contemplate my circumstances
I get the blues, right off the bat
I instantly feel overwhelming sadness
If we can just have a decent conversation
If only we could communicate effectively, honestly, and respectfully
You know that things wouldn't be so bad
You understand that our situation would improve
You've got to live and let live
You should allow others to live their lives without interference
When we were together
During the time we were in a relationship
All you wanted for me was to give
Your only expectation from me was to constantly give and sacrifice
Now I'm not giving, you're barely living
Now that I have stopped giving, you are barely surviving
You're on your own
You are now responsible for yourself
You're living all alone
You exist in solitude
Now we're through, me and you
Now our relationship is over, it has ended
And I don't have the blues, blues, blues
As a result, I no longer feel profound sadness and despair
Over you
Because of you
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JO LOUIS WAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind