Malted Milk
Robert Johnson Lyrics


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I keep drinkin' malted milk, tryin' to drive my blues away
I keep drinkin' malted milk, tryin' to drive my blues away
Baby, you just as welcome to my lovin' as the flowers is in May

Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushin' to my head
Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushin' to my head
And I have a funny, funny feelin', and I'm talkin' all out my head
Baby, fix me one more drink, and hug your daddy one more time
Baby, fix me one more drink, and hug your daddy one more time
Keep on stirrin' my malted milk, mama, until I change my mind

My doorknob keeps on turnin', it must be spooks around my bed




My doorknob keeps on turnin', must be spooks around my bed
I have a warm, old feelin', and the hair risin' on my head

Overall Meaning

In the classic blues song 'Malted Milk' by Robert Johnson, the singer sings about drinking malted milk to drive away his blues. He expresses his desperation to escape from his sadness, and the malted milk seems to provide some sort of comfort. The repeated line 'Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushin' to my head' illustrates the singer's desire for the drink to chase away his troubles. However, he also admits that the drink is making him act strange, leading him to talk out of his head and experience a 'funny, funny feelin''.


Johnson presents an interesting contrast between the comfort that the malted milk provides and the haunting feeling that he has: 'My doorknob keeps on turnin', it must be spooks around my bed.' The imagery here paints a picture of the singer's fear and paranoia. The line 'Baby, you just as welcome to my lovin' as the flowers is in May' suggests that the love of his partner could be as powerful a tool to drive away his blues as the malted milk.


The overall message that the song conveys is that the singer is seeking escape from his troubles. Although the malted milk might give him some brief relief, it is ultimately not enough to overcome the feeling of being haunted.


Line by Line Meaning

I keep drinkin' malted milk, tryin' to drive my blues away
I continuously consume malted milk to get rid of my melancholy mood.


Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushin' to my head
Malted milk continually affects my brain and thoughts.


Baby, you just as welcome to my lovin' as the flowers is in May
My affection for you is as natural and inevitable as the blooming of flowers in May.


And I have a funny, funny feelin', and I'm talkin' all out my head
The malted milk is causing me to have strange sensations and to babble nonsensically.


Baby, fix me one more drink, and hug your daddy one more time
Please make me another drink, and give me one more embrace before I leave.


Keep on stirrin' my malted milk, mama, until I change my mind
Please continue mixing up my malted milk until I decide to stop drinking it.


My doorknob keeps on turnin', it must be spooks around my bed
I hear noises outside my door, which leads me to believe that ghosts are haunting my room.


I have a warm, old feelin', and the hair risin' on my head
Even though a strange presence surrounds me, I feel comfortable and nostalgic, and my hair is standing on end.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@adambozentko5877

Haunting vocals, can hear the slyness, loving, hurt, violence and just the sound of His times..!.. 22 years on guitar and He still makes me feel like an amateur..!..

@rayitojazz

Robert Johnson i love you man, always listen to you when im down and you cheer my soul up

@mr.ottoman1371

He got me Into malted milk

@paulcarpenter999

Don't miss the first real biography of Johnson that came out in 2019, which was followed by the appearance of the third confirmed photograph of the great artist in 2020.

@f.w.2054

I may be wrong but wasn't it written by a relative who lived with him? If so it should be a good anecdote to all the legends and nonsense written about the man!

@tizrysyahnonco.channel54

Thank you Robert Johnson for your great music invention. I believe nothing except all the good things about you, your music and your manifestation about life.

@gabriellekatona4965

If I was around back in the day I would definately be a fan of Robert Johnson and go see his shows too.

@Sarcasmo48

Those are some guitar-friendly fingers right there.

@ernestoescobar1967

Awesome Robert Johnson hit, but from this one I'm feeling Lonnie Johnson infused sound 🎼

@lawrencekedz

There will never be another "R. J."...!!! Keep playing & practicing as much as you can & in the end, you will be satisfied. At 71, began at 14, retired 5 or 6 years ago.. I'd do it all again if I could...!!! (lol)

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