Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s, originally known a… Read Full Bio ↴Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s, originally known as the Saveloy Brown Blues Band. Their 1969 single, Train to Nowhere (with singer Chris Youlden), was viewed by many as the last gasp of the blues scene in Great Britain. Although Savoy Brown never reached much acclaim in their home nation, they developed a loyal core following in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, the band managed to penetrate the Billboard Hot 100. Superstardom perpetually evaded them, perhaps in part because of their frequent lineup changes. Indeed, while the band is still active today, only one founding member, Kim Simmonds, has been with the band since the beginning. Guitarist "Lonesome" Dave Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens, and drummer Roger Earl went on to form Foghat. Original member and harmonica player John O'Leary is still active on the British blues circuit with The John O'Leary Band. Savoy Brown's first album, Shake Down, featured lead vocalist Bryce Portius. Portius was one of the first black blues musicians to be a part of a British rock band. Another singer, Dave Walker, would later join Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath.

I Ain't Superstitious
Savoy Brown Lyrics

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Meet me on the bottom,
Bring me my running shoes.
When I come out the window,
We ain't got time to lose.

Well I ain't superstitious,
But a black cat crossed my trail.
Don't brush me with my broom, babe,

I just might land in jail.

Well my right hand itchin', babe,
I get smothered by the shore.
Look down you engine, babe,
But somebody got to go.

Meet me on the bottom, babe,

Bring me my running shoes.
When I come out the window, babe,
We ain't got time to lose.

Well I hope you are listening,
When I come streaking by.
Got a bad old man, babe,
And I'm too young to die.

Well I ain't superstitious,
But a black cat crossed my trail.
Don't brush me with my broom, babe,
I just might land in jail.

Dogs been barking
All around my neighborhood.

You give a sign, babe,
Ain't do nobody no good.

Overall Meaning

The Savoy Brown Blues Band's song Ain't Superstitious starts with a request to meet the singer on the bottom while bringing their running shoes. The sense of urgency escalates as the next line states that there is no time to lose when they come out the window. The singer then confesses that they are not superstitious, but they have indeed been crossed by a black cat on their path. They plead with their partner not to brush them with their broom and further that they just might land in jail. The singer then says that their right hand is itching, and they are bothered by the shore. In the last few lines, the singer tells their partner that somebody must go because they looked down on their partner's engine. Lastly, the singer reminds their partner to meet them on the bottom and bring their running shoes as they streak by because they have a bad old man, and they are too young to die.

This song is an extended metaphor. The black cat that crossed the singer's trail represents bad luck. The broom that their partner is carrying could symbolize the witch's broomstick. The song's title, Ain't Superstitious, is appropriate as the singer confesses that they are indeed superstitious, bending logic to make decisions that only superstition could justify. Furthermore, they may be in a state of fear, afraid of something wicked around them, like someone or something is out to get them.

Line by Line Meaning

Meet me on the bottom,
Come meet me at the bottom of wherever we're headed

Bring me my running shoes.
Bring me shoes that will allow me to run away quickly if necessary

When I come out the window,
In case I need to escape through a window

We ain't got time to lose.
We don't have the luxury of wasting time

Well I ain't superstitious,
I don't believe in superstitions

But a black cat crossed my trail.
But I can't help feeling uneasy when a black cat crosses my path

Don't brush me with my broom, babe,
Don't hit me with your broom, as strange things might happen

I just might land in jail.
I might end up getting in trouble with the law

Well my right hand itchin', babe,
My right hand is itching, which is supposed to be a sign of good luck

I get smothered by the shore.
I feel suffocated and overwhelmed by my surroundings

Look down you engine, babe,
Check the engine for any issues