Early in the Morning
Junior Wells & Buddy Guy Lyrics


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Early in the morning I can't get right
I had a little date with my baby last night

I said, early in the morning (early in the morning)
I know it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning (yeah)
And I ain't got nothin' but the blues (blues)
I went to the places where we used to go
I went to her house and she don't live there no more

I said, early in the morning (early in the morning)
I know it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning (yeah)
And I ain't got nothin' but the blues (blues)

I went to a girlfriend's house and she was out
I knocked on her father's door and he began to shout

I said early in the morning (early in the morning)
I know it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning (yeah)
And I ain't got nothin' but the blues (blues)

(yeah)
(early in the morning)
(early in the morning)
(early in the morning)
(yeah)
(blues)

I went to Bob Evans to get me something to eat (yeah)
The waitress looked at me said, "Buddy, you sure look beat" (yeah)

I said early in the morning (early in the morning)
I know it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning (yeah)
And I ain't got nothin' but the blues (blues)

I had a lot of money when I started out (yeah)
I can't find my baby, you know my money run out (yeah)

I said early in the morning (early in the morning)
I know it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
Early in the morning (yeah)
And I ain't got nothin' but the blues (blues)





Early in the morning (yeah)
And I ain't got nothin' but the blues (blues)

Overall Meaning

In “Early in the Morning,” Junior Wells and Buddy Guy sing about a man who had a date with his baby the night before and now wakes up in the morning feeling down, blue and bereft of anything worthwhile. He travels around the places he used to go with his lover only to find his baby has gone and is nowhere to be found. As he tries to find solace from his friends and girlfriend, he realizes that he is going through a tough time and everything seems to be going against him. He can’t find anyone to share his sorrow with, and he is left feeling down and helpless. The song is an expression of the pitfalls of love and how it can sometimes leave a person feeling emptier than they were before.


The lyrics of the song are an excellent example of the blues genre’s traditional themes, such as heartbreak, loneliness, desperation, and despair. The lyrics of “Early in the Morning” illustrate how the genre reflects the struggles of everyday life, particularly those of marginalized people. They are a representation of the difficult times that people experience in their lives, and the challenge to rise above them. Despite the somber nature of the song, the melody is upbeat and filled with energy, showing how the blues can help to express and alleviate one's pain.


Line by Line Meaning

Early in the morning I can't get right
At the crack of dawn, I feel disoriented and hopeless


I had a little date with my baby last night
I had a romantic rendezvous with my lover yesterday


I know it's early in the morning (early in the morning)
I am aware of the time of day


And I ain't got nothin' but the blues (blues)
I am filled with sadness and melancholy


I went to the places where we used to go
I visited the locations that my lover and I frequented


I went to her house and she don't live there no more
I went to my lover's home, but she no longer resides there


I went to a girlfriend's house and she was out
I visited a female friend's residence, but she was not present


I knocked on her father's door and he began to shout
I attempted to contact my friend's father, who responded angrily


I went to Bob Evans to get me something to eat (yeah)
I went to a restaurant named Bob Evans to satisfy my hunger


The waitress looked at me said, "Buddy, you sure look beat" (yeah)
The female server examined my appearance and commented on my fatigue


I had a lot of money when I started out (yeah)
At the beginning of my journey, I possessed a considerable amount of cash


I can't find my baby, you know my money run out (yeah)
I am unable to locate my lover, and my financial resources have been depleted


Early in the morning (yeah)
At the beginning of the day


And I ain't got nothin' but the blues (blues)
I am overwhelmed with a sense of sadness and despair




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: EDDIE SEAGO, MIKE LEANDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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