Goin' Down Slow
Muddy Waters & Howlin' Wolf Lyrics
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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
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
In Muddy Waters's song Goin' Down Slow, he begins by stating that he is not interested in material possessions that kings and queens cannot have, and instead focuses on the good times. He then declares that he has had his fair share of fun and that his health is deteriorating. The song suggests that Muddy Waters is contemplating his own mortality and impending death. He then reveals that he has spent more money than a millionaire, even though he is not a millionaire himself. The singer also references women in the song, further emphasizing his pleasure-seeking lifestyle.
The final part of the song is a plea for forgiveness and prayer. Muddy Waters asks for his mother to be informed about his poor health and asks her to pray for him and forgive his sins. This section of the song portrays the singer's vulnerability and spiritual side, indicating that he may be reflecting on his life choices and hoping for redemption before his death.
Line by Line Meaning
Man
Listen to me, audience
You know I don't enjoy things that kings and queens will never have
I do not find any pleasure in luxuries that even the wealthiest people cannot acquire
And things kings and queens can never get
And not only that, but even things that the richest people in the world cannot attain
And they don't even know about
These experiences are often unknown to those people themselves
And good times, mmmmm
And in contrast, having fun and happy moments is important to me
I have had my fun
In my life, I have experienced enjoyable moments
If I never get well no more
Given my current state of health, I might not get to have them again
Oh my health is fading
My health is deteriorating
Oh yes I'm going down slow
I am passing away slowly and inevitably
Now lookit here
Listen to me closely now
I did not say I was a millionaire
I am not claiming to be a millionaire
But I said I have spent more money than a millionaire
What I mean is that I have spent more money than what a millionaire would normally spend
'Cause if I had kept all the money then I already had spent
However, if I had saved all the money that I have spent so far
Then I would've been a millionaire a long time ago
I would have become a millionaire much earlier than now
And women, great googly moogly!
Oh, women! They are quite overwhelming and irresistible to me!
Please write my mother
I am requesting you to write a letter to my mother
Tell her the shape I'm in
Inform her of my current state of health
Tell her to pray for her son
Ask her to keep me in her prayers
Forgive me for my sins
And please ask her to forgive me for any wrongdoings I might have done
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES B. ODEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dr John Pollard
Man, you know I done enjoyed things that kings and queens
Will never have
In fact, things kings and queens can't never get
And they don't even know about it
And good times?
… I have had my fun
If I never get well no more
I have had my fun
If I never get well no more
Whoa, my health is fadin'
Oh yes, I'm goin' down slow
… Now look 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 of the money I had already spent
I would've been a millionaire a long time ago
And women, well, googly moogly
… Please write my mama
Tell her the shape I'm in
Please write old mother
Tell her the shape I'm in
Tell her pray for me
Forgive me for my sins
Christian Kenison
You know I done enjoyed things that kings and queens will never have
In fact, kings and queens can never get
And they don't even know about
And good times, mmm-mmm
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
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 had already spent
I would've been a millionaire a long time ago
And women, great googly-moogly!
Please write my mama
Tell her the shape I'm in
Please write my ol' mother
Tell her the shape I'm in
Tell her to pray for, oh
Forgive me for my sins
Lahleh Olivia
Super blues terrific 🎶💃
Mark Ortiz
I go on a Patrice binge once a year since he's been gone. Truly one of the goats. Prophetic. Thanks for getting me thru P. R.i.p.
Greg Ozuna
I think of him every time I hear this.
Shauna Brown
Same
Janitor Bill
Damn I love Patrice and this song didn't know he sang it until i saw this comment. Shit. RIP to one of the greatest comedians of all time.
Janitor Bill
Evan Goch He sang it on a radio station kind of soon before his death. For one of the GOAT comedians he got some pipes too.
dude duderino
me 2!!! long live the GOAT
Lou Last
You can really feel him when he sings about his mother. She had real issues with him being a blues musician the way I understand. The story of him running into her at a few towns over from their hometown at a barber shop is chilling. She was so devout a Christian, though she hadn't seen him in years and struggled financially, she threw away $500 he slipped her in the chance meeting. They say, "it hurt him bad"! As one might imagine right. SMH! Great song!
D Mc
Class and quality is not an experience for the masses. Only the few will appreciate this master piece.
John Weldon
Him and lighting hopkins yesssah" the best"""""""