In 1973 they had already recorded the album Full Moon and in 1978 they would team up once more for Natural Act.
Tennessee Blues
Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd leave in a hurry
I'd find me a place where I could stay
And not have to worry
A place I could use
A place I could lose the Tennessee Blues
With no one around me
Valleys and streams, birds in the trees
And hills that surround me
I'd try to forget all my regrets
I'd keep just the good times
I'd wake and I'd sleep, nothing but peace
Feel free all the time...
The lyrics of Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge’s “Tennessee Blues” describe a protagonist who seeks to escape his current situation and the burdens that come with it. The song speaks to a sense of restlessness that prompts the singer to leave the Tennessee blues behind for a more peaceful existence. The opening line encapsulates the singer’s urgency to depart as soon as possible, and his desire for a specific kind of place – one where he can be at ease – becomes more defined as he goes on to describe it. The idyllic image of a mountain top with natural surroundings devoid of other people conveys the sense of isolation the singer desires.
While the song’s lyrics can be interpreted simply as a desire to escape the burdens of life, there is also an undercurrent of loss beneath the surface. The singer seems to be yearning for a return to a simpler time, where he can forget the regrets of his past and live a life free of worry. The use of the term “Tennessee Blues” in the title and throughout the lyrics further underscores this idea. It refers to a sense of melancholy that has become a part of the singer’s identity due to his experiences living in Tennessee, and leaving it behind would mark a significant shift in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had my way I'd leave here today
Expressing the desire to leave the current setting as soon as possible given the option
I'd leave in a hurry
Departure would be prompt and without delay
I'd find me a place where I could stay
Searching for a location that is both comfortable and accommodating
And not have to worry
Free from any worries or concerns that may be weighing down the mind
A place I could use
A locale useful to the singer in some capacity
A place I could lose the Tennessee Blues
A place where the singer could disassociate from the emotional weight he associates with his time in Tennessee
I'd find me a spot on some mountain top
Searching for a location with a lot of elevation to admire the view
With no one around me
A location that is uninhabited and far from other people
Valleys and streams, birds in the trees
Beautiful scenery full of picturesque valleys, babbling brooks, and varied wildlife
And hills that surround me
A location that is hemmed in by rolling hills and natural landmarks that are breathtaking to see
I'd try to forget all my regrets
The singer would endeavour to remove any negative memories that continue to weigh him down
I'd keep just the good times
The singer decides to hold onto and remember only the positive memories from his past
I'd wake and I'd sleep, nothing but peace
Seeking a tranquil, calm, and quiet location where the singer can rest in peace
Feel free all the time...
The singer wants to live without any emotional or physical limitations that are preventing him from being free
Contributed by David Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Katrina Keister
I love this !!!! Thank you for the memories !!! Wow ..... the best times in my life were listening to this 8 track .......
mcpratt
Thank you for downloading this track. It is great (and probably now my very favourite version of this song) and I never even knew it existed! I'm not sure if you are aware but it was written by Bobby Charles (aka Robert Charles Guidry/R C Guidry) who wrote some great songs: from 'See You Later Alligator' and 'Walking to New Orleans' when he was only about 14 years old. Afterwards he gave us, among many other songs, 'But I Do' and then (later, written in Woodstock?) 'Small Town Talk' and 'Before I Grow Too Old'. He also wrote 'Jealous Kind', a fantastic song and a much better song than (covering the same area as) Lennon's 'Jealous Guy'. Thanks again for giving us this recording!
Norman Zwane
Still looking for a place where in 2020 I could lose these blues.