Ninety Nine
Sonny Boy Williamson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Darling you know exactly what happened, last year just about this time
Yes you know exactly what happened, last year just about this time
You asked me for one hundred dollars, and I didn't have but ninety nine

Yes I'm in love with the little girl, just because she's so nice and kind
I'm in love, I'm in love with the little girl, just because she's so nice and kind
I was so sorry when she asked me for one hundred dollars,
I couldn't give her but ninety nine

Yes my baby taken sick on July twenty-nine
Yes the one I love she taken sick on July twenty-nine




Her doctor billed her four hundred dollars,
And I didn't have but three hundred and ninety nine

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from Sonny Boy Williamson's song "Ninety Nine" illustrate the struggle of not being able to provide what someone needs, despite your desire to do so. The lyrics speak of a past event wherein the singer's loved one, possibly his partner or spouse, had asked for a hundred dollars, but he was only able to give her ninety-nine. This inability to provide for his loved one weighs heavily on him, and he feels inadequate as a result.


The second verse adds more depth to the situation by revealing that the singer is in love with this person because she is kind and nice. This love is not financially motivated, as is evident from the fact that he couldn't fully provide for her when she needed it. The final verse further puts the singer in a difficult position, as his love falls ill on July 29th and is presented with a large medical bill. Despite his best efforts, the singer is still unable to provide the full amount needed for her care.


Overall, the song's message is one of love and struggle, wherein the singer is doing his best to care for his loved one but is hindered by his financial situation. The lyrics are simple yet poignant, painting a picture of a person whose love knows no bounds but is held back by the harsh realities of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Darling you know exactly what happened, last year just about this time
Addressing someone who is aware of the past incident that occurred around this time last year


Yes you know exactly what happened, last year just about this time
Reiterating that the person being spoken to is aware of the past incident that occurred around this time last year


You asked me for one hundred dollars, and I didn't have but ninety nine
Recalling how the person being addressed requested a hundred dollars and the singer could only provide ninety nine


Yes I'm in love with the little girl, just because she's so nice and kind
Admitting feelings for an individual who is kind-hearted and good-natured


I'm in love, I'm in love with the little girl, just because she's so nice and kind
Emphasizing the strong feelings the artist has for someone who embodies kindness and good-naturedness


I was so sorry when she asked me for one hundred dollars, I couldn't give her but ninety nine
Recalling a time when the singer was unable to provide a requested amount of money due to financial limitations


Yes my baby taken sick on July twenty-nine
Stating that a loved one fell ill on July 29th


Yes the one I love she taken sick on July twenty-nine
Referring to the individual the artist loves and how they became sick on July 29th


Her doctor billed her four hundred dollars, And I didn't have but three hundred and ninety nine
Explaining how the doctor billed the sick individual four hundred dollars, while the artist could only provide three hundred and ninety nine




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: WILLIE WILLIAMSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Hoovy Tube

Maybe the best blues song of all time. It's amazing how many different rhythms Sonny Boy Williamson could pull off. This one just makes me want to jump. So good!

Proboscis Gaming

So catchy:D

lorenzo stortoni

Agreed!

Ding Dong

I love how blu can you get song

Brian Smith

This is amongst my top five blues records of all time. A Chess master - the sound of that band is to die for. Sonny Boys vocal is so moving and his harp rivals (if not equals) that other master, Little Walter. Thanks for uploading.

Ben W-King

This is how good playing straight into a mic can sound.

Philharpo

Perfect way to start 2021!

upset banana

this is slaps

Sonja Dietz

So great !!!! Last year 2018....but by 2019.....I have 99.........! RIP

Mitchell Galinkin

Killer !

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