Whiskey and Gin Blues
Memphis Slim (3 September, 1915 in Memphis, Tennessee – 24 February, 1988 i… Read Full Bio ↴Memphis Slim (3 September, 1915 in Memphis, Tennessee – 24 February, 1988 in Paris, France) was a blues pianist and singer. His birth name was John Len Chatman although he himself claimed to be born Peter Chatman (the name he gave himself in honour of his father Peter Chatman Sr. when he first recorded for Okeh in 1940). He composed the blues standards "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "Mother Earth". Memphis Slim got his start playing the blues at the Midway Café, at 357 Beale Street (southeast corner of Fourth and Beale Streets) in Memphis in 1931. Two years before his death, Memphis Slim was named a Commander in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of France. Memphis Slim died on 24 February, 1988 in Paris, France at the age of 72. During his lifetime, he cut over 500 recordings and influenced blues pianists that followed him for decades.

Whiskey and Gin Blues
Memphis Slim Lyrics


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I worked all day long out in the cold and snow
I come home lookin' for my supper
You're around some whiskey store

You're just a whiskey drinkin' woman
We never will get very far
Because every time I wanna find you
I just go around some whiskey bar

I leave house written grocery bill
At home every week and every Monday mornin'
The landlord puts my clothes out in the street

Because you're the whiskey drinkin' woman
We never will get very far
Well then every time I wanna find you
You're layin' around some whiskey bar

You know our friends came around
To give us a nice time
You say, "Hurry, let's go to the liquor store
Before they change their mind"

Just a whiskey drinkin' woman
We never will get very far
Well then every time I wanna find you
You're layin' around some whiskey bar

Now so you can pack up baby
Out for yourself you must go
I never see you nowhere
Unless I stop at some whiskey store

Just a whiskey drinkin' woman
We never will get very far




Well then every time I wanna find you
You're layin' around some whiskey bar

Overall Meaning

The song "Whiskey Store Blues" by Memphis Slim tells the story of a man who is frustrated with his partner's drinking habits. He is a hardworking guy who spends his days laboring in the cold and snow, but when he comes home, he finds that his partner is always hanging out at a whiskey store. He loves her, but he knows that their relationship can never go far as long as she continues to prioritize alcohol over him.


The lyrics reveal that the woman's behavior has led to some serious consequences, such as unpaid bills and being evicted from their home. It's clear that her drinking is causing a rift in the relationship, and despite the man's efforts to reach her, she remains stubbornly committed to her love of whiskey.


The song is a reflection on the perils of addiction and the toll that it can take on relationships. It's a sobering reminder that sometimes we have to let go of the things we love in order to save ourselves and our loved ones.


Line by Line Meaning

I worked all day long out in the cold and snow
I spent a long and tiring day outside in the frigid weather


I come home lookin' for my supper
I come home hungry and expecting to be fed


You're around some whiskey store
You're often found near a store that sells whiskey


You're just a whiskey drinkin' woman
You enjoy drinking whiskey often


We never will get very far
Our relationship won't progress or reach any significant milestones


Because every time I wanna find you
Whenever I want to see you


I just go around some whiskey bar
I typically find you at a bar that serves whiskey


I leave house written grocery bill
I leave a written list of groceries to buy at home


At home every week and every Monday mornin'
This occurs weekly and every Monday morning


The landlord puts my clothes out in the street
The landlord evicts me and throws my clothes outside


You know our friends came around
Our friends came to visit


To give us a nice time
To have a good time with us


You say, "Hurry, let's go to the liquor store
You suggest that we quickly go to the liquor store


Before they change their mind"
Before our friends decide to do something else instead


Now so you can pack up baby
You can leave now


Out for yourself you must go
You need to go and live your life for yourself


I never see you nowhere
I never see you anywhere


Unless I stop at some whiskey store
Unless I happen to stop at a store that sells whiskey


Just a whiskey drinkin' woman
You are simply a woman who enjoys drinking whiskey


Well then every time I wanna find you
Whenever I want to see you


You're layin' around some whiskey bar
You can usually be found lounging at a bar that serves whiskey




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER CHATMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@spammie29

LOVE Memphis Slim. Thank you for posting this!  :D

@slideharp1

Smooth as silk.

@Little6ster

exzzellent! ;°)

@richardwolter2368

good...