Sweet Home Chicago
Robert A Johnson Lyrics
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Oh baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago
Oh baby don't you want to go
Oh baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
Now one and one is two
Two and two is four
I'm heavy loaded baby
I'm booked I gotta go
Cryin' baby
Honey don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago
Now two and two is four
Four and two is six
You gonna keep monkeyin' round here friend-boy
You gonna get your business all in a trick
But I'm cryin' baby
Honey don't you wanna go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago
Now six and two is eight
Eight and two is ten
Friend-boy she trick you one time
She sure gonna do it again
But I'm cryin' hey hey
Baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago
I'm goin' to California
From there to Des Moines Iowa
Somebody will tell me that you
Need my help someday
Cryin hey hey
Baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago
"Sweet Home Chicago" is a song written by Robert A Johnson. The song is about a man who consistently pleads with his girlfriend to go back home to Chicago. He mentions that he is heavy-loaded and booked, which could mean he's a traveling musician or perhaps a fugitive. The repetitive chorus; "Oh baby don't you want to go, back to the land of California, to my sweet home Chicago" suggests that he is originally from Chicago but has spent some time in California.
The lyrics are not too complicated but Johnson was known for his use of figurative language in his songs, especially his use of metaphorical characters. In the second stanza, he uses the phrase "you gonna keep monkeyin' round here friend-boy," to refer to the girlfriend's behavior. The term monkeying around could mean she is unfaithful or overly flirtatious with other men.
In the following stanza; "Friend-boy she trick you one time, she sure gonna do it again," Johnson seems to be warning the man to beware of the girlfriend's behavior. This line suggests that she has already tricked him once and will continue to do so. Johnson eventually leaves California to head back to Chicago, but before he leaves he hints that he may come back to Des Moines Iowa, suggesting that he may still be a traveling musician at the end of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh baby don't you want to go
I can't wait to leave this place, don't you want to come with me?
Back to the land of California
Let's go back to where we belong, California.
To my sweet home Chicago
Chicago is where my heart is, it feels like home.
Now one and one is two
Let me teach you something, one plus one equals two.
Two and two is four
And if you add two more, you get four.
I'm heavy loaded baby
I'm carrying a heavy load, I have a lot of responsibility.
I'm booked I gotta go
I'm busy, I have to leave soon.
Cryin' baby
I'm feeling emotional about leaving.
You gonna keep monkeyin' round here friend-boy
If you stay here fooling around, you'll get into trouble my friend.
You gonna get your business all in a trick
Your activities will end up causing problems for you.
Now six and two is eight
Back to the math, six plus two equals eight.
Friend-boy she trick you one time
I warned you before, this girl will deceive you.
She sure gonna do it again
She will definitely deceive you again if you keep hanging around her.
I'm goin' to California
I'm leaving for California.
From there to Des Moines Iowa
I'll be traveling to Des Moines Iowa from there.
Somebody will tell me that you
I'm sure someone will let me know if you need my help in the future.
Need my help someday
If you ever need my help, I want to be there for you.
Cryin hey hey
Once again, I'm feeling emotional about leaving.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TAJ MAHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Igor Batista
Lyrics:
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home, Chicago?
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home, Chicago?
Now one and one is two
Two and two is four
I'm heavy loaded baby
I'm booked I gotta go
Cryin', baby
Honey, don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home, Chicago?
Now two and two is four
Four and two is six
You gonna keep monkeyin round here friend-boy
You gonna get your business all in a trick
But I'm cryin', baby
Honey, don't you wanna go?
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home, Chicago?
Now six and two is eight
Eight and two is ten
Friend-boy she trick you one time
She sure gonna do it again
But I'm cryin', hey hey
Baby, don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home, Chicago?
I'm goin to california
From there to Des Moines Iowa
Somebody will tell me that you
Need my help someday
Cryin', hey hey
Baby don't you want to go?
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home, Chicago?
abby
What many don't realize this is how good this sounds on a 1930's lacquer record recording . Could you even imagine how amazing it would have been to hear him play live .
Father McKenzie
it would have been epic!
carter
no
Bio Hazard
@carter k sorry
XxSerge_JacksonxX
I hear he was so good that people thought he sold his soul to the devil
Ned D.
Robert Johnson is one of the most influential musicians of all time. I'm pretty sure almost every popular blues guitarist would list him as an inspiration.
Pedro Urbieta
same dude that sold his soul
Mellons
@Pedro Urbieta thats a myth
Shannon5909
Hey, I've played classical guitar for 45 years and Mr Johnson is at the top of my list for inspiration!
Ophelia pain
Not just blues, rock and some punk. You would be amazed.