Goodnight Irene
Little Richard (&Jimi Hendrix) Lyrics

The lyrics to Little Richard and Jimi Hendrix's song "Goodnight Irene" depict a man who has settled down with his wife, but still yearns for the freedom and excitement of his previous life. He reminisces about his past experiences both in the country and in the city, but acknowledges that he must now stay home with his family. The chorus of "Goodnight Irene" serves as a farewell to the past, acknowledging that Irene – a symbol of his wild, carefree days – is gone for good. The repetition of the phrase "I'll see you in my dreams" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the singer is coming to terms with his new life but still struggles to let go of his past.

One interpretation of the lyrics is that they reflect the struggles of African American men during the mid-20th century. Many Black men were forced to leave their families in order to find work, and often had to turn to dangerous, illegal activities in order to survive. The singer's desire to "stop gamblin and stop all the ramblin" and "go home to [his] wife and [his] fam'ly" could be interpreted as a call for Black men to take responsibility for their families and turn away from harmful behavior.

Interestingly, "Goodnight Irene" was originally written in 3/4 time, but Little Richard's version changed it to 4/4 time, giving it a more upbeat rock and roll feel. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Lead Belly (who wrote the original version), Ernest Tubb, and Tom Waits, among others.