Nobody's Fault But Mine
Robben Ford Lyrics


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Nobody's fault but mine [Repeat: x 2]
Trying to save my soul tonight
It's nobody's fault but mine

Devil he told me to roll [Repeat: x 2]
How to roll the log tonight
Nobody's fault but mine
Brother he showed me the gong?
Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
How to roll, the log tonight
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine

Got a monkey on my back. [Repeat: x 2]
Gonna change my ways tonight
Nobody's fault but mine




I will get down rollin' tonight
Nobody's fault

Overall Meaning

but mine


In Robben Ford's song Nobody's Fault But Mine, the singer depicts a personal struggle with his own soul. He acknowledges that it's nobody else's fault but his when it comes to his salvation. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trying to save his soul from the devil's grip, and he acknowledges that the devil is trying to deceive him, shown when he says "Devil he told me to roll, how to roll the log tonight." However, he realizes that the devil is not to be blamed for his actions as he is the one who chooses to follow his ways. The next verse, "Brother he showed me the gong, brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong," emphasizes that the singer's friends and mentors have tried to guide him towards the right path, but ultimately, it is up to him to make the decision. In the final verse, "Got a monkey on my back, gonna change my ways tonight," the singer acknowledges that he has been carrying a burden that he can no longer bear, and he is determined to change his ways and find redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

Nobody's fault but mine
Self-awareness of one's actions leading to negative consequences.


Trying to save my soul tonight
An attempt to correct one's past actions.


Devil he told me to roll
Being tempted by vices and not taking responsibility for the resulting actions.


How to roll the log tonight
Being influenced to participate in harmful behaviors.


Brother he showed me the gong?
Being taught harmful behavior by a peer.


Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
Being shown a negative behavior that was later copied.


Got a monkey on my back.
Being burdened by addiction or negative habits.


Gonna change my ways tonight
Making a commitment to correct actions that led to negative consequences.


I will get down rollin' tonight
Taking action to change one's behavior for the better.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NINA SIMONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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