Early in the Morning
Joe Williams / Muddy Waters / T-Bone Walker Lyrics


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Early in the morning and I can't get right
Had a little date with my baby last night
Now it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Well, it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Now it's early in the morning
And I ain't got nothing but the blues

Went to all the places where we used to go
Went to your house, but you don't live there no more
Now it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Well, it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning
And I ain't got nothing but the blues

Went to your friend's house, but she was out
Knocked on your father's door and he began to shout, "get out there, boy"
Early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning
And I ain't got nothing but the blues

Went to Dooky Chase to get something to eat
Waiter looked at me and said, "You sure look beat"
Now it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning (early in the morning)
Well, it's early in the morning
And I ain't got nothing but the blues
Well, it's early in the morning
And I ain't got nothing but the blues




Well, it's early in the morning
And I ain't got nothing but the blues

Overall Meaning

The song "Early Morning Blues" is a lament of a man who is in the throes of a deep heartache. He had a date with his lover the night before, but the relationship ended on a sour note, and he woke up early in the morning feeling empty and lost. He tries to retrace his steps, going to the places they used to frequent, but finds nothing there anymore. He tries to seek solace from those who may have information about his lover's whereabouts, but they shun him away. Even when he tries to get something to eat, he is met with disdain – the waiter looks at him and says that he looks beat. Throughout all of this, he is consumed by the blues – the deep sadness and loneliness that is born of heartbreak.


What makes this song poignant is that the lyrics are simple yet powerful. The repetitious phrases "early in the morning" and "nothing but the blues" reinforce the idea that the singer's pain is unrelenting, and he cannot escape it. The stories of rejection and indifference from his lover, friends, and even the waiter add to his isolated and forlorn state. The imagery of the empty places he used to love also underscore the loss he is feeling. The whole song is a testament to the human experience of loss and the emotions it stirs up.


Line by Line Meaning

Early in the morning and I can't get right
It's morning, but I'm feeling down and out


Had a little date with my baby last night
I went out with my partner last night


Now it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
It's still morning


Well, it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
It's really early in the morning


Now it's early in the morning
It's morning


And I ain't got nothing but the blues
I'm feeling really low right now


Went to all the places where we used to go
I visited all the places we used to frequent


Went to your house, but you don't live there no more
I went to your home, but you've moved out


Early in the morning (early in the morning)
It's still morning


Well, it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
It's really early in the morning


Early in the morning
It's morning


And I ain't got nothing but the blues
I'm feeling really low right now


Went to your friend's house, but she was out
I went to your friend's home, but they weren't there


Knocked on your father's door and he began to shout, "get out there, boy"
I knocked on your father's door, but he told me to leave


Early in the morning (early in the morning)
It's still morning


Early in the morning (early in the morning)
It's really early in the morning


Early in the morning
It's morning


And I ain't got nothing but the blues
I'm feeling really low right now


Went to Dooky Chase to get something to eat
I went to Dooky Chase restaurant to eat something


Waiter looked at me and said, "You sure look beat"
The waiter noticed that I look exhausted


Now it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
It's still morning


Early in the morning (early in the morning)
It's really early in the morning


Well, it's early in the morning
It's still morning


And I ain't got nothing but the blues
I'm feeling really low right now


Well, it's early in the morning
It's still morning


And I ain't got nothing but the blues
I'm feeling really low right now


Well, it's early in the morning
It's still morning


And I ain't got nothing but the blues
I'm feeling really low right now




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES MILLER, HAROLD RAY I. BROWN, HOWARD E. SCOTT, JERRY GOLDSTEIN, LE ROY L. JORDAN, LEE OSKAR, MORRIS DEWAYNE DICKERSON, SYLVESTER ALLEN

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Comments from YouTube:

@kingbradson5813

Who's still listening in 2024

@annbernadettemiller7199

yup

@wellbbq

Da Tail Dragger is the Best!!!

@mickeythompson24

I am! And doing so on Leap Day 2/29/24. Much Love From New Orleans Everyone 💜💚💛

@KC-gy5xw

MEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

@joearnold1148

I watched 2 sets of The Wolf's show at Paul's Mall in Boston waiting to hear Smokestack Lightning but when I asked the band about it they said the Wold was done for the night. I went over and told the Wolf I'd been waiting since 1960 in Mississippi to see him sing that song live. He said, "Son, you waited long enough " and got back up on the stage and dedicated the song to me. He asked me to stay at his table and have a drink with him! What a great guy and a great musician!

@Tom-xe9iq

That's a great story!!!

@mailman2332

​@@Tom-xe9iq Happy is a understatement

@whatsinaname6926

One of the best stories I’ve ever heard.

@nathan5871

Absolutely a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing that!!

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