John Kay was born Joachim Krauledat in Germany but changed his name when he… Read Full Bio ↴John Kay was born Joachim Krauledat in Germany but changed his name when he emigrated to Canada. As a singer, songwriter and guitarist, he is best known as the frontman of Steppenwolf.

Blues, rock, protest songs all have come from his pen as a writer, and his solo albums reflect his eclectic musical influences such as Patrick Sky.

My Sportin' Life
John Kay Lyrics

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Words and music by John Kay

Though I can't show you the years of my life
That I spend on the road to freedom
Don't let it throw you, I know of your strife
I know what it's like to roam
I sang 'em a glad song, played 'em a sad song
Sang 'em the whole night long

Just for a dollar or what they could offer
To somebody's ramblin' boy

When the fun was done, I would pack my bags and I was gone
Though the women were kind there was nothing to bind me to one
'Til somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways
Somebody changed my ole carousing days
Oh when I was a young boy I learned to survive
'Til somebody came and stayed my sportin' life

I lived in the barrooms the juke joints and gin mills
I worked any dive in town
Never to proud to pass my hat around
In every place I found
I'll sing you a glad song, play you a sad song
Sing 'em the whole night long
Just for a dollar or what you can offer
To somebody's ramblin' boy

There were times when lonely was the only feeling left in me
Or when the cold and the rain made it hard on a man to be free
'Till somebody changed my tough and hungry days
Somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways
Now I don't really care no more 'bout nickels and a dime
The one I love is all I need to help me spend my time
Somebody came and rolled away my stone
Somebody came, and she made me feel at home
Somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways
Somebody changed my ole carousing days
Oh when I was young boy I learned to stay alive
'Til somebody came and stayed my sportin' life

I'll sing you a glad song, play you a sad song
Sing 'em the whole night long
Just for a dollar or what you can offer
To somebody's ramblin' boy

Overall Meaning

"My Sportin' Life" by John Kay is a song about a man who spent his youth on the road, traveling from town to town, playing music for crowds and earning a living. He describes the ups and downs of his life, acknowledging that although he cannot show the years of his life on the road, he understands what it is like to wander and roam. He sings about the various bars, juke joints, and dive bars he played in, always willing to sing a glad or sad song for whatever the crowd could offer. The song speaks of his lonely and difficult times, facing cold and rain, but also of the kindness of the women he met along the way.

Despite the challenges, the man's life changes for the better when someone special comes into his life and shows him a different way of living. They change his rough and rowdy ways and put an end to his carousing days. He no longer cares about nickels and dimes, as one person's love is all he needs to help him spend his time. He's grateful for this person who has come along and "stayed his sportin' life."

Overall, "My Sportin' Life" is a nostalgic reflection of John Kay's early years as a traveling musician, as well as a story of redemption and finding love. It's a song of appreciation for the people and experiences that shaped his life, and a recognition that life can change in unexpected ways.

Line by Line Meaning

Though I can't show you the years of my life That I spend on the road to freedom
I cannot physically demonstrate how many years I spent freeing myself from societal norms and expectations.

Don't let it throw you, I know of your strife I know what it's like to roam
Do not be discouraged, as I am aware of the hardships you face. I have wandering experience and can relate to your struggles.

I sang 'em a glad song, played 'em a sad song Sang 'em the whole night long Just for a dollar or what they could offer To somebody's ramblin' boy
I would perform upbeat and melancholy tunes for hours, only receiving modest pay or gratuities from the people who watched my show.

When the fun was done, I would pack my bags and I was gone Though the women were kind there was nothing to bind me to one 'Til somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways Somebody changed my old carousing days
I had no personal connections or commitments that would prevent me from leaving once my performance was over. Until I was influenced by someone special, my behavior remained reckless and unstable.

Oh when I was a young boy I learned to survive 'Til somebody came and stayed my sportin' life
As a youth, I acquired skills necessary for survival. However, only with the arrival of a certain person, I learned to lead a more steadfast and stable existence.

I lived in the barrooms the juke joints and gin mills I worked any dive in town Never too proud to pass my hat around In every place I found
I resided in establishments such as bars, nightclubs, and pubs. I was willing to perform in any low-quality location and accepted donations from the clientele.

There were times when lonely was the only feeling left in me Or when the cold and the rain made it hard on a man to be free 'Til somebody changed my tough and hungry days Somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways
At times, I felt utterly alone, and the inclement weather only added to my misery. But with the presence of a specific person, my ability to withstand desolation and tumult increased.

Now I don't really care no more 'bout nickels and a dime The one I love is all I need to help me spend my time Somebody came and rolled away my stone Somebody came, and she made me feel at home Somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways Somebody changed my old carousing days
Material possessions, such as change, no longer matter or have influence over me. My partner is the sole individual I need to keep me occupied and content. She fundamentally altered my prior behavior and lifestyle.

Oh when I was young boy I learned to stay alive 'Til somebody came and stayed my sportin' life
In my youth, I learned to survive and adapt in varying circumstances. However, the arrival of a particular person changed my life, and I began to develop a more stable and grounded existence.

I'll sing you a glad song, play you a sad song Sing 'em the whole night long Just for a dollar or what you can offer To somebody's ramblin' boy
I am happy to perform lively and melancholy tunes for an extended period, in exchange for reasonable financial compensation or tips.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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