Blues For The Lost Days
MAYALL John & BLUESBREAKERS The Lyrics
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Like I got myself a time machine
Memories flood around me
People and places where I've been
I had the blues for the lost days
Back then when times were lean
From a home in the country with the blues
Headin' out to the city
Movin' round like a rollin' stone
With a band of blues breakers
Make a mark down here on my own
We had Freddie King, Sonny Boy and Hendrix
And they'd be sitting in till the break of dawn
Sweating at the all night Flamingo
And comin' out to pigeons on a Sunday morn
So many good times, so much music
But back then nobody knew
That the London blues were born
It's a sad, sad feeling
When your best friends all drift apart
Some of them are dead and gone
But they still live on in my heart
That's why I have the blues for the lost days
There ain't never gonna be no counterpart
The song Blues For The Lost Days by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers is a nostalgic look back at the early days of the British blues scene of the 1960s. The lyrics reflect on a time when Mayall was living in the country and listening to blues records on his wind-up gramophone. He then moved to the city and formed a band called the Bluesbreakers, which featured guest appearances by legendary blues musicians such as Freddie King, Sonny Boy and Hendrix.
Mayall reminisces about the good times he had with his friends during this period, but also acknowledges that some of them have passed away. He expresses a sad feeling that his best friends have drifted apart and that there will never be a counterpart to those lost days. The song conveys a sense of longing and nostalgia for a bygone era.
The lyrics are enhanced by the song’s slow, bluesy tempo, which creates a melancholy mood. The guitar work is particularly noteworthy, featuring Mayall’s understated but expressive playing, which complements the lyrics perfectly. Overall, Blues For The Lost Days is a poignant tribute to a seminal period in the history of British blues.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back through the years
Reflecting on my past
Like I got myself a time machine
It feels like I can relive those moments again
Memories flood around me
My recollections are overwhelming
People and places where I've been
Reminiscing about the individuals and locations I frequented
I had the blues for the lost days
I feel sorrow for the moments that have passed by
Back then when times were lean
When conditions were more difficult and bare
From a home in the country with the blues
Grew up on the countryside with blues music as a constant presence
On my wind-up gramophone
Playing music from a record player that you wind up
Headin' out to the city
Venturing into the metropolis
Movin' round like a rollin' stone
Traveling aimlessly like a vagabond
With a band of blues breakers
Playing with a group of musicians who specialize in blues music
Make a mark down here on my own
Making a name for myself
We had Freddie King, Sonny Boy and Hendrix
Playing with renowned and talented musicians such as Freddie King, Sonny Boy, and Hendrix
And they'd be sitting in till the break of dawn
Playing with them until the early hours of the morning
Sweating at the all night Flamingo
Performing at the Flamingo club all night, sweating from the heat and energy
And comin' out to pigeons on a Sunday morn
Finishing the night/morning to a quiet city with only pigeons around
So many good times, so much music
The times were filled with fond memories and plenty of music
But back then nobody knew
However, at that moment, nobody realized the importance of the London blues scene
That the London blues were born
The beginning of a significant impact on the blues genre in London
It's a sad, sad feeling
Feeling of remorse and sadness
When your best friends all drift apart
When your closest companions slowly move away
Some of them are dead and gone
Some have unfortunately passed away
But they still live on in my heart
But, their memory still resides within me
That's why I have the blues for the lost days
That's why I have a sentimental attachment to the disappeared era
There ain't never gonna be no counterpart
That the lost days can never be replicated or matched
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind