Blues in the Night
Quincy Jones Lyrics


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My mama done tol' me, when I was in knee-pants
My mama done tol' me, "Son, a woman'll sweet talk"
And give ya the big eye, but when the sweet talkin's done
A woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night

Now the rain's a-fallin', hear the train a-callin, "Whooee!"
(My mama done tol' me) Hear that lonesome whistle blowin' 'cross the trestle, "Whooee!"
(My mama done tol' me) A-whooee-dah-whooee o' clickety-clack's a-echoin' back the blues in the night
The evenin' breeze will start the trees to cryin' and the moon will hide its light when you get the blues in the night
And take my word, that mockingbird’ll sing the saddest kind of song, he knows things are wrong, and he's so right

From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe, wherever the four winds blow
I’ve been in some big towns and I heard me some big talk, but there is one thing I know
A woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night





My mama was right, there's blues in the night.

Overall Meaning

The song "Blues in the Night" was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer in 1941, and it tells a story of a mother warning her son about the deceitful nature of women. The song portrays women as two-faced individuals who will sweet-talk and give the big eye, but eventually, they will leave the man with the blues in the night. The lyrics suggest that no matter how good the woman seems to be, there is always a darker side that they keep hidden.


The song's opening line, "My mama done tol' me," is a common theme in blues music, where the singer often sings about their upbringing and family traditions. The second verse talks about the train, a symbol of freedom and escape, carrying the singer away from their troubles. The lyrics also mention the sound of the train whistling, a haunting and mournful sound that adds to the melancholy of the song. The chorus states that a woman is a worrisome thing that will cause heartache and leave the man with the blues in the night. It is a poignant reminder that love and heartbreak are intertwined.


Overall, "Blues in the Night" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the essence of the blues genre. The lyrics describe the hardships of life and the pain of lost love, but it also speaks of hope and the possibility of finding happiness. The song is a classic, and its relevance has remained intact over the years.


Line by Line Meaning

My mama done tol' me, when I was in knee-pants
My mother gave me life advice from when I was young


My mama done tol' me, "Son, a woman'll sweet talk"
My mother warned me that women can use charming language to take advantage of men


And give ya the big eye, but when the sweet talkin's done
Women can use seductive eye contact to manipulate men


A woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night
Women can be deceptive and cause men to feel distress and sadness


Now the rain's a-fallin', hear the train a-callin, "Whooee!"
The setting is a rainy night with a train whistle in the background


(My mama done tol' me) Hear that lonesome whistle blowin' 'cross the trestle, "Whooee!"
The singer thinks back to his mother's warning and hears the train whistle as a sad sound


(My mama done tol' me) A-whooee-dah-whooee o' clickety-clack's a-echoin' back the blues in the night
The sounds of the train are reminiscent of the blues and add to the melancholy atmosphere


The evenin' breeze will start the trees to cryin' and the moon will hide its light when you get the blues in the night
The mood is so somber that even nature seems to be mourning alongside the artist


And take my word, that mockingbird’ll sing the saddest kind of song, he knows things are wrong, and he's so right
Even the bird songs in the night seem to express sadness, as if they understand the artist's pain


From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe, wherever the four winds blow
The song speaks to a wide range of listeners, from different parts of the US


I’ve been in some big towns and I heard me some big talk, but there is one thing I know
The singer has seen and heard a lot, but he's certain about the nature of women


A woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night
The chorus repeats the central message of the song: women can cause men to feel despair and sadness


My mama was right, there's blues in the night.
The song concludes with the singer agreeing with his mother's wise words




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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