Born Under A Bad Sign
Rita Coolidge Lyrics
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I've 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 trouble's my only friend,
I've been down ever since I was ten.
I've been down since I began to crawl.
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all.
You know, wine and women is all I crave.
A big bad woman's gonna carry me to my grave.
Born under a bad sign.
I've 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 trouble's been my only friend,
I've been down ever since I was ten.
Born under a bad sign.
I've 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.
The lyrics of Rita Coolidge's song "Born Under A Bad Sign" speak of a life characterized by tough luck and bad fortune. The first verse illustrates the difficult circumstances the singer has faced since childhood. The second verse implies that the singer has never had a close and dependable friend, only finding companionship in bad luck and trouble. The third verse reveals the singer's desire for wine and women, suggesting that this is all that brings him any pleasure in life. The fourth and final verse is a repetition of the first, emphasizing the overarching theme that the singer is a victim of his own unfortunate destiny.
This song explores the all-too-common human experience of feeling stuck in a cycle of hardship and disappointment. It speaks to the idea that sometimes life deals us a card that we can't seem to shake off, no matter how hard we try. Despite the depressing tone of these lyrics, there is an element of resigned acceptance, as though the singer has come to terms with his fate and is simply expressing it without bitterness.
Line by Line Meaning
Born under a bad sign.
I have always been surrounded by misfortune and bad luck since the day I was born.
I've been down since I began to crawl.
I have been feeling low and depressed since the very beginning of my life.
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all.
If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck in my life.
Bad luck and trouble's my only friend,
I've been down ever since I was ten.
Since I was ten, I have felt isolated and my only companions have been bad luck and trouble.
You know, wine and women is all I crave.
A big bad woman's gonna carry me to my grave.
All I desire in my life is indulgence in alcohol and women, and I believe that one of them will eventually be the cause of my demise.
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all.
Once again, my life has been so full of bad luck that without it, I wouldn't have any luck at all.
Born under a bad sign.
This line only serves as a repetition of the main theme of the song, reinforcing the idea that the singer has been constantly facing misfortune since birth.
Born under a bad sign.
The final line is repeated again, concluding the song on a somber note about the artist's life filled with continuous bad luck.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOOKER T. JONES, WILLIAM BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fqexpat
Hard to believe, but I first heard her do this song waaay back in '71 (?) when I was 26 and living in San Francisco, I was 'in love' with Rita, but sadly she had no idea. Now, while all the old blues cats have incredible renditions of this song, I keep coming back to Rita's. Imagine her and Albert King doing this together. Damn! And speaking of Albert King, I'll listen to his version next. She sang at Jazzfest this year (2019) and I missed it due to some broken bones, but I did manage to see Bonnie Raitt, the other 'love of my life'. Sorry, Rita. Thank you, Bonnie. I love ya both.
pnwoods
The supporting cast of musicians turned this album into an instant underground FM classic,
alongside Johnny Winters & Muddy Waters *After the Rain*.
StringTherapy
I've been a fan of Rita's for many years...the Delta Lady really brings it with the version and the musicians on this album...wow!.....Having known Albert King and seeing him many times in concert I think he would be impressed
fqexpat
Absolutely!
Sara Lilly
Loved this song as a kid! And still do!
Becky Yeager Smith
As a singer I learned my rich full tones from Rita Coolidge and got the balls in my voice from Bonnie Bramlett.
youcanttunafish
I was 15 when this came out and ran out to the record store to buy it! lol Rita and Bonnie Raitt basically taught me how to sing. :)
Dejair Salles
ouvindo rita aqui em 2022 , da vontade de voltar no tempo...
Glenn Hoffman
heard a gazillion awesome versions of this song, for some reason this is my favorite, soulful and funky
Randy Demary
not really a fan but this tune is off the hook...give it a listen.