Born Under a Bad Sign
Rodgers Paul Lyrics
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I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I been on my own ever since I was ten
Born under a bad sign
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
I can't read, haven't learned how to write
My whole life has been one big fight
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
I ain't lyin'
If it wasn't for bad luck
I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Wine and women is all I crave
A big legged woman is
Gonna carry me to my grave
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Yeah, my bad luck boy
Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
"Born Under A Bad Sign" by Albert King is a blues classic that tells a tale of a man who feels cursed since birth. The opening lines, "Born under a bad sign, I been down since I begin to crawl," suggest that the singer has been struggling since the day he was born. The repetition of the phrase, "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all," reveals his belief that he is unable to escape his misfortune. He even goes on to say that "Hard luck and trouble is my only friend," suggesting that he has come to accept his fate.
The singer reveals that he struggles with basic reading and writing skills and that his whole life has been one big fight. His recollection of a life filled with struggle and hardship creates a tone of sadness and frustration. He repeats the phrase "I ain't lyin'" multiple times, emphasizing the authenticity of his story.
The song also touches on the singer's vices. He sings about his infatuation with wine and women, saying "A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave." His indulgences in these pleasures may have also contributed to his misfortunes.
Overall, "Born Under A Bad Sign" is a powerful expression of a man's lifetime of struggling with bad luck and adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Born under a bad sign
I was born with bad luck and misfortune.
I been down since I begin to crawl
I have always been troubled and unhappy since childhood.
If it wasn't for bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
My life is filled with misfortune to the point where I wouldn't have any luck if it weren't bad.
Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
My life is full of hard times and misfortune, and I feel like I have no one to rely on.
I been on my own ever since I was ten
I have been independent since a young age, possibly due to a difficult upbringing.
I can't read, haven't learned how to write
I am illiterate, possibly due to a lack of access to education or resources in my upbringing.
My whole life has been one big fight
My life has been a constant struggle and challenge.
I ain't lyin'
I am telling the truth.
If it wasn't for bad luck
I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
The only luck I have had in my life is bad luck.
If it wasn't for real bad luck,
I wouldn't have no luck at all
Without my unfortunate circumstances, I wouldn't have any luck whatsoever.
Wine and women is all I crave
My only desires in life are alcohol and women.
A big legged woman is
Gonna carry me to my grave
I will be buried by a woman with bold and attractive physical features.
Yeah, my bad luck boy
Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
I have had bad luck throughout my entire life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOOKER T. JONES, WILLIAM BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Rodgers
This music was the influence that I started out with when I first was listening to music when I was 13 and 14 and getting into bands. - Paul Rodgers
Steven Price
You are the champ Paul. My ex partner used to think I loved you more than her😂 she was right. First time I heard you sing, I was a young boy in the back of mum’s car listening to the radio here in Aus. I heard wishing well and I thought wow this black man sings great. I’ve always loved the blues. They speak to me. I’ve influenced many and now my son has you playing in his car. Love the passion for the blues, and you do it better than them all.
p stick
yes, i loved creams take on this song and of course spoonful on their early records , but i remember seeing ten years after live in 68 or 69 and alvin lee's killer guitar take on , help me , by sonny boy seared the love of blues forever .
Gary Ray Hall
❤you
Joe Kelly
Love this version as much as I loved that explosive version you did on your album, Muddy Water Blues., a master work as albums go for sure.
Brock
Same here, man. Being from Louisiana, we love this kind of stuff. Great music is great music. No matter where you are from.
Much respect to you, sir. Your voice is legendary and your sound grabs me like no other. If Paul Rodgers or Bad Company is playing, and my foot isn't moving, call the coroner 😵
Spen B
The greatest voice in Rock history.....the voice of God!!
cobalt jones
Folks, this is one of the few singers who could basically use every first take and sing a whole album in one evening.
Trish
Fantastic. Paul Rodgers is really a great blues singer. Got the voice and the style of signing. I love his music. Free and Bad Company.
Tom Pease
Paul Rogers has one of the Greatest voices on the planet