Goin' Down Slow
Little Walter and Otis Rush Lyrics

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Man
You know I don't enjoy things that kings and queens will never have
And things kings and queens can never get
And they don't even know about
And good times, mmmmm

I have had my fun
If I never get well no more

I have had my fun
If I never get well no more
Oh my health is fading
Oh yes I'm going down slow

Now lookit here
I did not say I was a millionaire
But I said I have spent more money than a millionaire
'Cause if I had kept all the money then I already had spent
Then I would've been a millionaire a long time ago
And women, great googly moogly!

Please write my mother
Tell her the shape I'm in
Please write my mother
Tell her the shape I'm in

Tell her to pray for her son
Forgive me for my sins

Overall Meaning

In "Goin' Down Slow," Little Walter and Otis Rush sing about the inevitability of death and the importance of enjoying life while it lasts. The singer talks about how he has had his share of fun but realizes that his health is fading, and he is going down slowly. He acknowledges that he may never get well again and wants someone to inform his mother of his condition and ask for her to pray for him.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of money and wealth. The singer admits that he is not a millionaire but has spent more money than one. He explains that he would have been a millionaire by now if he had saved all the money he had spent.

The song's overall message is clear - life is short, and we must make the most of it while we can. We cannot take our possessions or wealth with us when we die, and we should focus on having fun and enjoying the time we have before it's too late.

Line by Line Meaning

Man
Hey, listen to me

You know I don't enjoy things that kings and queens will never have
I don't like or value things that even the wealthiest people in the world cannot obtain or buy

And things kings and queens can never get
Even the most powerful rulers in the world cannot attain these things either

And they don't even know about
These things are unknown or irrelevant to them

And good times, mmmmm
I enjoy having fun and experiencing pleasure

I have had my fun
I've enjoyed myself

If I never get well no more
Even if I don't recover from my illness

Oh my health is fading
My physical condition is deteriorating

Oh yes I'm going down slow
I'm dying slowly

Now lookit here
Listen carefully to what I'm saying now

I did not say I was a millionaire
I'm not claiming to be a rich person

But I said I have spent more money than a millionaire
I've spent a lot of money in my life, more than most millionaires

'Cause if I had kept all the money then I already had spent
If I had saved all the money I'd previously spent

Then I would've been a millionaire a long time ago
I would have become a millionaire a long time ago