Blue Bayou
Linda Ronstadt Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I feel so bad I got a worried mind
I'm so lonesome all the time
Since I left my baby behind
On Blue Bayou

Saving nickles, saving dimes
Working til the sun don't shine
Looking forward to happier times
On Blue Bayou

I'm going back someday
Come what may
To Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fun
And the world is mine
On Blue Bayou
Where those fishing boats
With their sails afloat
If I could only see
That familiar sunrise
Through sleepy eyes
How happy I'd be

Gonna see my baby again
Gonna be with some of my friends
Maybe I'll feel better again
On Blue Bayou

Saving nickles saving dimes
Working til the sun don't shine
Looking forward to happier times
On Blue Bayou

I'm going back someday
Come what may
To Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fun
And the world is mine
On Blue Bayou
Where those fishing boats
With their sails afloat
If I could only see
That familiar sunrise
Through sleepy eyes
How happy I'd be

Oh that boy of mine
By my side
The silver moon
And the evening tide
Oh some sweet day
Gonna take away
This hurting inside
Well I'll never be blue




My dreams come true
On Blue Bayou

Overall Meaning

Linda Ronstadt’s “Blue Bayou” is a song that speaks about missing a loved one and feeling lonely while away from them. The first verse talks about the sadness that comes with being away from a loved one, with the singer feeling so bad and having a worried mind in their absence. The longing is further emphasized in the subsequent line “I’m so lonesome all the time, since I left my baby behind, on Blue Bayou.” The Bayou refers to a tranquil and calm place that the singer might have gone to escape the noise and rush of the bigger cities, and now it's a place they long to return to, to reunite with loved ones.


The second verse talks about the singer's struggles and hard work to save up and be able to get back to Blue Bayou, where there is hope for happier times. It's almost as though the only thing keeping them going is the hope of being reunited with their loved one. The chorus repeats the idea of the singer's eagerness to return to Blue Bayou, where the folks are fun, and the world is theirs. The fishing boats and the sunrise represent the simple pleasures that they miss and long to see again upon their return. The last two lines are indicative of the singer's optimism and hope for a brighter future, where they and their loved one will be together, and all their dreams will come true.


Line by Line Meaning

I feel so bad I got a worried mind
I am unhappy and have a mind filled with concerns


I'm so lonesome all the time
I feel very lonely most of my time


Since I left my baby behind
My baby is away from me since I left


On Blue Bayou
I am referring to a place called Blue Bayou


Saving nickles, saving dimes
I am putting aside some small coins to save up money


Working til the sun don't shine
I am working very hard, even beyond daytime hours


Looking forward to happier times
I am hopeful to experience better days in the future


I'm going back someday
I plan to return to Blue Bayou in the future


Come what may
Regardless of what happens


Where the folks are fun
The people at Blue Bayou are enjoyable to be around


And the world is mine
I feel ownership of everything at Blue Bayou


Where those fishing boats
There are some fishing boats at Blue Bayou


With their sails afloat
The sails on the boats are raised up on the water


If I could only see
If only I could witness this sight


That familiar sunrise
The sunrise that I am already acquainted with


Through sleepy eyes
Viewing the sunrise in a somewhat tired state


How happy I'd be
I would experience joy under such circumstances


Gonna see my baby again
I am going to be reunited with my baby


Gonna be with some of my friends
I will be in the company of some friends


Maybe I'll feel better again
It is possible that I will improve my mood by doing this


Oh that boy of mine
I have a special boy in my life


By my side
He is quite close to me


The silver moon
The moon is glowing with a silver color


And the evening tide
The water waves at the time of evening


Oh some sweet day
There will be a wonderful day


Gonna take away
There will be an end to this feeling


This hurting inside
This emotional pain that I am experiencing


Well I'll never be blue
I will not be unhappy any longer


My dreams come true
My wishes and aspirations are being fulfilled


On Blue Bayou
This is all happening at Blue Bayou




Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, R-Key Darkus
Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@JP-bn2ct

Still listening in 2024 to this beautiful and timeless song!

@billlance387

I was the video recording engineer for this concert at the Atlanta Civic Center in 1977. After the show, Linda and her band knocked on the door (!) of my little tape truck and asked if they could watch the tape, so they and I sat together and watched the show. Linda is so unassuming and such a beautiful person. I remember talking to Don Grolnick, the piano player, who played the show with a broken hand. It was a great show, and a great memory for me, but I never thought this recording would live on 40+ years later.

@heathermcteer9581

What an awesome memory

@ursulamulder110

Wow. Something to be truly cherished!

@amy-ol2cf

Thank u for ur contribution. 👍 we, the younger gen. are able to catch glimpse in the past.

@susanhampson446

I had a Crush on Linda in the 70's. Ironically, I was watching Roy Orbison when this came up. Played Roy & Linda for my Wife and she understood my THEN Crush...

@jimmydumore2534

Awesome story and awesome work!!!

531 More Replies...

@user-sh5jg8rc4h

Here in Tucson, client tells me he was a plumber 1980 and was at a house doing his thing and the lady of the house says "Oh, you like my daughters music" he was singing along to music in the background. Was Linda's mother and he was blown away, He has since passed away. Personally saw her in early 1980's in concert. What a special moment.

@goodymotivation9397

Wow....this memory is still fresh in my head. I was the drummer

@jonrosen7980

THAT IS AWESOME! Were you on tour with Linda or just this concert?

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