Bumble Bee Blues
John Lee Hooker Lyrics


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(Memphis Minnie)

I got a bumble bee, don't sting nobody but me
I got a bumble bee, don't sting nobody but me
And I tell the world, he got all the stinger
I need

And he makes better honey, any bumble bee I ever seen
And he makes better honey, any bumble bee I ever seen
And when he makes it, oh, how he makes me scream
He gets to flying and buzzing, stinging everybody he meets
He gets to flying and buzzing, stinging everybody he meets
Lord, I wonder why my bumble bee want to mistreat me

Hmmmm, where my bumble bee gone?
Hmmmm, wonder where's my bumble bee gone?
I been looking for him, my bumble bee, so long, so long
My bumble bee got ways, just like a natural man




My bumble bee got ways, just like a natural man
He's stinging somebody, everywhere he lands

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to John Lee Hooker's song Bumble Bee Blues feature a woman singing about her prized possession, a bumblebee that doesn't sting anyone but her. She describes the bee as having all the stinger she needs and making better honey than any other bee she's seen. She also notes that when the bee is making honey, it makes her scream. However, the bee also has a darker side, as it flies around stinging everyone it meets. The woman wonders why her bumble bee mistreats her and eventually realizes that it has its own ways just like a natural man, stinging everywhere it lands.


This song can be interpreted in a few different ways. On the surface level, it's simply a song about a woman's unusual pet bumblebee. However, it can also be seen as a metaphor for a lover who is both sweet and powerful, but also has the ability to hurt those around them. The woman in the song is torn between her love for the bee and her fear of its sting.


Overall, Bumble Bee Blues is a fun and intriguing song with memorable lyrics and a catchy melody.


Line by Line Meaning

I got a bumble bee, don't sting nobody but me
I have a special someone who is only loyal to me and no one else


And I tell the world, he got all the stinger I need
I express my joy in being content with the love and affection given to me by my special someone


And he makes better honey, any bumble bee I ever seen
My special someone makes my life fulfilled and happier than anyone else I have been with


And when he makes it, oh, how he makes me scream
I express the intensity of my feelings towards my special someone and how they bring me joy and a sense of fulfillment


He gets to flying and buzzing, stinging everybody he meets
My special someone has a carefree attitude that sometimes leads them to hurt or offend others around them


Lord, I wonder why my bumble bee want to mistreat me
I express confusion and hurt as to why my special someone would sometimes be unfaithful or hurtful towards me despite all the love I give them


Hmmmm, where my bumble bee gone?
I express anxiety and sadness over the distance or disappearance of my special someone


I been looking for him, my bumble bee, so long, so long
I express the intensity of my desire and longing to be reunited with my special someone


My bumble bee got ways, just like a natural man
I acknowledge the flaws and complexities of my special someone and how they are like any other human being


He's stinging somebody, everywhere he lands
I express worry and concern over the fact that my special someone might continue to hurt or offend those around them with their carefree attitude




Contributed by Gianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@vincentbuccieri9305

Master Hooker was One of the Blues Masters that was Able to Take His Music from Folk Style to Electric Guitar and Still Shine!
Thats Like The Equivalent of a Star Going from Silent Films to the Talkies!

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