Julian Miles Holland (born 24 January 1958) is a British pianist, bandleade… Read Full Bio ↴Julian Miles Holland (born 24 January 1958) is a British pianist, bandleader ( Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra ), television presenter, architectural eccentric and pop music enthusiast. He was also a founding member of the highly acclaimed and successful band Squeeze.

Back O' Town Blues
Jools Holland Lyrics

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Well, I had a woman
Living way back o' town
Well, she treated me right
Never let me down
But I wasn't satisfied
I had to run around

Now she's gone and left me

I'm worried as can be
Oh, I've searched this world over
Wonderin' where could she be?
I would ask that she forgive me
Maybe she'll come back to me

Now, I'm lonesome and blue
Whoa, but I've learned a thing or two
Ooh, fellas here's a tip
I'm going to pass on down to you

Never mistreat your woman
'Cause it's gonna bounce right back on you.

Overall Meaning

In Jools Holland's "Back O' Town Blues," the singer laments the loss of his woman who lived in the poorest part of town. He acknowledges that she treated him well and never let him down, but he was not satisfied with what he had and ended up cheating on her. Now that she has left him, he is left to wonder where she is and hopes that she will forgive him and come back to him. The song is a cautionary tale to all the men out there to never mistreat their partners, as it will inevitably come back to bite them.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I had a woman
I was in a romantic relationship with a woman

Living way back o' town
She lived in a remote part of the city

Well, she treated me right
She was good to me

Never let me down
She never disappointed me

But I wasn't satisfied
Despite her good treatment, I still wasn't content

I had to run around
I cheated on her

Now she's gone and left me
She broke up with me and left

I'm worried as can be
I'm very concerned and anxious

Oh, I've searched this world over
I've looked everywhere for her

Wonderin' where could she be?
I'm wondering where she could have gone

I would ask that she forgive me
I wish I could ask her for forgiveness