One Way Out
Sonny Boy Williamson Lyrics


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Raise your window
I ain't goin' out that door
Raise your window
I ain't goin' out that door
'Cause the man out there might
Be your man, I don't know
If you raise your window
I can ease out soft and low
If you raise your window
I can ease out soft and low
Your neighbors gonna be talkin'
That stuff, me don't know
Ain't but one way out
I ain't goin' out that door
Ain't but one way out
I ain't goin' out that door
If I get away this time
I won't be caught no more
Ain't but one way out
I ain't goin' out that door
Ain't but one way out
I ain't goin' out that door




If I get away this time
I won't be caught no more

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sonny Boy Williamson II's "One Way Out" talk about the singer trying to leave the house of his lover without getting caught by her man. The singer urges his lover to raise her window instead of opening the door so that he can slip out without anyone noticing. The man waiting outside may be her lover's husband or boyfriend, and the singer does not want to get caught in a compromising situation. He hopes to avoid gossip and speculation from the neighbors.


The refrain "Ain't but one way out" emphasizes the urgency of the situation and conveys the singer's determination to escape. He asserts that he won't be caught if he gets away this time, suggesting he has been in a similar predicament before. The singer recognizes the danger of the situation and is determined not to repeat his mistakes.


Interpreting the lyrics, we can see that the singer is using a clever stratagem to avoid getting caught. The situation can be seen as a metaphor for people who want to avoid uncomfortable situations or escape from difficult circumstances. The song is unconventional in its themes and illustrations, different from common blues songs about heartbreak, loneliness or poverty.


Line by Line Meaning

Raise your window
Open the window so I can escape through it


I ain't goin' out that door
I don't want to leave through the door because someone could be waiting for me outside


'Cause the man out there might Be your man, I don't know
I am worried that the person outside could be your partner and I don't want to run into them


If you raise your window I can ease out soft and low
If you open the window, I can escape quietly and avoid attracting attention


Your neighbors gonna be talkin' That stuff, me don't know
If I escape through the window, your neighbors might see me and gossip about us


Ain't but one way out I ain't goin' out that door
There's only one way for me to escape and I won't take the risk of going through the front door


If I get away this time I won't be caught no more
If I am successful in escaping this time, I won't let my guard down and get caught again




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, GULF COAST MUSIC LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARSHALL E SEHORN, ELMORE JAMES, SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Earthdogbonzo3

THE BEST VERSION OF THIS SONG IMHO🎼🎵🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎤

@yelloworangered

I sure love this song, especially the frantic nervous versions. Yeah, ease out that window, lover man.

@elreydelripio

Genius.

@chuckufarlie8215

A vamp is a repeating musical figure, like a guitar riff. In jazz, Latin jazz, and musical theater it’s often given for the accompaniment so that they can repeat as necessary during intros or solos, in which case it may be noted as “vamp until ready” or “vamp until cue.” Depending on the style and band, players may improvise on the vamp. The “open vamp” appears synonymous with “vamp till ready.” Buddy Guy brings forth this riff, or "vamp" here on this version of this song, which was earlier recorded differently by Elmore James. A vamp is a pattern, usually a simple pattern like one or two chords, that you keep repeating for the purpose of getting into a groove or letting one of the musicians take a solo.

@countryboy6767

Old Buddy back there https://youtu.be/waTeedBqSH8

@larryn2682

Thank you, professor.

@dennypetfield6583

just a great track! And yes it is sad to only have this many views of the original version of this tune covered and made famous by the ABB. 

@Cochese59

ONE WAY OUT It's the way to go!!

@trfesok

Originally written and recorded by Elmore James. SBW put it out first as a single in 1962. Of course, covered by The Allmans and Los Lobos. All are in my ABB playlist. Thanks for the upload!

@Sm-ne8ff

And Steven Thorne

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