Eldridge was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His nickname was Little Jazz. Eldridge played in the bands of Fletcher Henderson, Gene Krupa and Artie Shaw before making records under his own name. He also played in Benny Goodman's and Count Basie's Orchestras, and co-led a band with Coleman Hawkins.
Black and Blue
Roy Eldridge Lyrics
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Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
What did I do to be so black and blue?
No joys for me, no company
Even the mouse ran from my house
All my life through I've been so black and blue
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Tell me, what did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
The song "Black and Blue" by Roy Eldridge is a heart-wrenching tale of the pain and suffering of being black in a world that discriminates based on skin color. The lyrics describe a life filled with loneliness, pain, and marginalization. The singer speaks of a cold, empty bed with springs as hard as lead, a constant pain in their head, and the feeling of being so black and blue. No joys or company are to be found, even the mouse runs from their house, and all they have known is a life of being black and blue.
The singer laments that being white on the inside does not help their case, as they cannot hide what is on their face. Their life is characterized by a sense of forlornness, and every joy in life feels like a thorn. Their heart is torn, and they question why they were even born. It is a sorrowful cry, asking what they did to deserve this fate of being black and blue.
The song is a powerful commentary on the deep-seated racism that existed and still exists in society, causing those who are marginalized to feel alienated, alone, oppressed, and forgotten. The lyrics give voice to the pain and suffering of people who have been forced to endure the indignities of a world that judges them by their skin color alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
I am alone and my bed is uncomfortable and feels like it is made of lead.
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I am experiencing headaches and they are making me feel old and worn out.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I do not understand why I am facing so many difficulties in life.
No joys for me, no company
I have no happiness or companionship.
Even the mouse ran from my house
I am so miserable that even the smallest creature wants nothing to do with me.
All my life through I've been so black and blue
I have faced challenges and hardships my entire life and do not know why.
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
My true self is good, but it does not matter because of the way I look on the outside.
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I cannot hide the discrimination and hatred that I face because of my skin color.
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I am deeply sad and feel that life is nothing but a painful obstacle.
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I am filled with despair and cannot understand why I exist and face so much suffering.
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I do not have anyone to turn to and do not know how my life will turn out.
My only sin is in my skin
The only thing that is wrong with me is the color of my skin, which is not a sin at all.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Once again, I am questioning why I face so much hardship and discrimination.
Tell me, what did I do?
I am desperate for answers and need to know why I am facing such difficulties.
What did I do? What did I do?
I keep repeating this question, as I cannot understand why I am treated so poorly.
What did I do? What did I do?
Once again, I am repeating my question, hoping for an answer that never seems to come.
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I am pleading for someone to come forward and tell me why I am being treated so unfairly and with so much hatred.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Once again, I question why I am facing so much discrimination and hardship, desperate for an answer that will never come.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY BROOKS, ANDY RAZAF, FATS WALLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
anthony williams
Thank you for this beautiful upload.
The musicians are the best that hung around Paris at that time, and naturally they formed an ad-hoc recording unit, playing some great tunes, an enjoying each others playing without any thought of commercial success with the recordings that they produced. The music swings, and the atmosphere sings. We are lucky to have uploads of this era, and my grateful thanks go to you Chief Warhead.
terradosolemar vento
Black and Blue
Old empty bed, springs hard as lead
Feel like old Ned, wish i was dead
All my life through, I’ve been so black and blue
Even the mouse ran from my house
They laugh at you, and scorn you too
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is on my mind
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
mad4dam
🎩
🥶
🖤
mad4dam
✬
Vinicius Rodrigues
Invisibible Man, Ralph Ellison.