Queen and Paul parted ways amicably in 2009, with Paul remarking that he would like to get back together in the future to raise money for charity. Paul has since reunited with Bad Company, and they toured in 2010. Over the years, he's also successfully toured and released albums with his own group centered around him. Paul is ranked number 55 on Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". His work has been long influenced by American blues and rock n roll, and he helped play a role in the 70s arena rock and hard rock scenes both in the U.K. and the U.S.
Born Under A Bad Sign
Paul Rodgers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I been on my own ever since I was ten
Born under a bad sign
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
I can't read, haven't learned how to write
My whole life has been one big fight
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
I ain't lyin'
If it wasn't for bad luck
I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Wine and women is all I crave
A big legged woman is
Gonna carry me to my grave
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Yeah, my bad luck boy
Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
The lyrics to Paul Rodgers's "Born Under A Bad Sign" speak about a life filled with misfortune and difficulties. The opening line "Born under a bad sign" refers to being cursed from birth and doomed to face hardship for the rest of their life. The subsequent line, "I've been down since I began to crawl" suggests that this misfortune has been present from the very beginning. The line "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all" highlights the belief that everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, and luck has not been by their side.
The second half of the song delves into the singer's personal life, expressing their isolation and inability to succeed. The line "Hard luck and trouble is my only friend" speaks to a lifetime of challenges that have kept the singer alone. The following line, "I've been on my own ever since I was ten" reinforces this idea of loneliness and self-reliance. The line "I can't read, haven't learned how to write" suggests a lack of formal education and a sense of being trapped in their current situation. Finally, the line "Wine and women is all I crave, a big-legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave" is a reference to the singer's personal indulgences, suggesting that even in the face of hardship, they still seek out pleasures and distractions.
Line by Line Meaning
Born under a bad sign
I feel like everything in my life has been working against me since the very beginning
I been down since I begin to crawl
My whole life has been difficult and full of struggle
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
My luck is so consistently bad that it is the only kind I know
Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I feel like I have no one in my life who has my back or supports me
I been on my own ever since I was ten
I have felt isolated and alone since I was a child
I can't read, haven't learned how to write
I have had a difficult life and have not had the opportunities to learn basic skills like reading or writing
My whole life has been one big fight
Every day feels like a battle just to survive
I ain't lyin'
If it wasn't for bad luck
I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
My life is so full of bad luck that I can't imagine having any other kind of fortune
Wine and women is all I crave
I cope with my life's difficulties by turning to vices like alcohol and unhealthy relationships
A big legged woman is
Gonna carry me to my grave
I know that my vices will ultimately lead to my downfall and potentially an early death
Yeah, my bad luck boy
Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
I have been plagued by bad luck for as long as I can remember and it seems like there is no end in sight
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOOKER T. JONES, WILLIAM BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Rodgers
This music was the influence that I started out with when I first was listening to music when I was 13 and 14 and getting into bands. - Paul Rodgers
Steven Price
You are the champ Paul. My ex partner used to think I loved you more than her😂 she was right. First time I heard you sing, I was a young boy in the back of mum’s car listening to the radio here in Aus. I heard wishing well and I thought wow this black man sings great. I’ve always loved the blues. They speak to me. I’ve influenced many and now my son has you playing in his car. Love the passion for the blues, and you do it better than them all.
p stick
yes, i loved creams take on this song and of course spoonful on their early records , but i remember seeing ten years after live in 68 or 69 and alvin lee's killer guitar take on , help me , by sonny boy seared the love of blues forever .
Gary Ray Hall
❤you
Joe Kelly
Love this version as much as I loved that explosive version you did on your album, Muddy Water Blues., a master work as albums go for sure.
Brock
Same here, man. Being from Louisiana, we love this kind of stuff. Great music is great music. No matter where you are from.
Much respect to you, sir. Your voice is legendary and your sound grabs me like no other. If Paul Rodgers or Bad Company is playing, and my foot isn't moving, call the coroner 😵
Spen B
The greatest voice in Rock history.....the voice of God!!
cobalt jones
Folks, this is one of the few singers who could basically use every first take and sing a whole album in one evening.
Trish
Fantastic. Paul Rodgers is really a great blues singer. Got the voice and the style of signing. I love his music. Free and Bad Company.
Tom Pease
Paul Rogers has one of the Greatest voices on the planet