In his adolescence, Taylor joined The Transistors, a band managed by his future father-in-law, playing popular music of the 1970s at talent shows and nightclubs. After the Transistors broke up in the early 1980s, Taylor devoted his attention to playing blues in the Chicago's West Side clubs.
During the 1980s he joined Pinetop Perkins and The Legendary Blues Band in a year long European tour, and since the late 1980s he has been making regular tours of Europe with his own group, where they have opened for B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Santana.
Taylor's recordings include two albums he first recorded for a French record label: Blues on the Run, originally recorded in 1982, and 1984's Plays the Blues for You. Back in the US, Taylor signed to Evidence Music and entered the studio with John Snyder to record Melvin Taylor and the Slack Band, which showcased his original songwriting. He returned in late 1996 to record his second US album, Dirty Pool. Taylor's debut remains the Evidence label's best-selling release.
Born Under a Bad Sign
Melvin Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ive been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Bad luck and troubles my only friend
Ive been down ever since I was ten
You know, wine and women is all I crave
First verse
Born under a bad sign
Ive been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck
I wouldn't have no luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Born under a bad sign
Born under a bad sign
In Melvin Taylor's song "Born Under a Bad Sign," the lyrics center around the idea that the singer has been cursed with bad luck since the very beginning of his life. The opening line "Born under a bad sign" suggests that the singer believes that he has been cursed from birth. The lyrics go on to explain that he has been down since he began to crawl, indicating that he has been struggling for a long time.
The line "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all" suggests that the singer has resigned himself to his fate and believes that he is powerless to change his situation. The following lines "Bad luck and troubles my only friend, I've been down ever since I was ten" further emphasizes this feeling of hopelessness.
The chorus "Born under a bad sign, I've been down since I began to crawl" is repeated throughout the song, reinforcing the idea that the singer's life has been plagued by bad luck. The final lines "A big bad woman's gonna carry me to my grave" suggest that the singer's desire for wine and women will ultimately be his downfall.
Line by Line Meaning
Born under a bad sign
My life is plagued by misfortune
Ive been down since I began to crawl
I've struggled since I was a child
If it wasn't for bad luck
If not for constant bad fortune
I wouldn't have no luck at all
I wouldn't have any luck whatsoever
Bad luck and troubles my only friend
Misfortune and hardship are my constant companions
Ive been down ever since I was ten
I've been struggling since a very young age
You know, wine and women is all I crave
All I desire is alcohol and women
A big bad womans gonna carry me to my grave
Eventually, my indulgences will lead to my demise
Contributed by Micah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@glenncowan6669
He's got best version of this song, man his feel and delivery have masters touch