Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.
After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.
Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).
www.steveforbert.com
Witch Blues
Steve Forbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That can match your kind of scorn
You've got a lot of people
Sorta sorry you were born
The way you treated Jim, yeah
Was more than I could understand
He took it sittin' down, yeah
You're makin' lots of bad news
(You're) spreadin' 'round them witch blues
When you come walkin' in, yeah
I look for some good place to hide
And if I find there ain't one
I do my best to get outside
The first time that I met you
You seemed like first-rate company
Don't that only go to show now
How wrong a guy can sometimes be?
You're makin' lots of bad news
Spreadin' 'round them witch blues
You're makin' lots of bad news
Yes, you're givin' people witch blues
You do not ride a broom, no
And you don't wear a pointed hat
But you can turn men into mice, yeah
You know a lot of tricks like that
And then I've seen you shatter women
Just like plate-glass window panes
No, I don't know where you came from
But I would bet it's mighty strange
You're makin' lots of bad news
Spreadin' 'round them witch blues
You're makin' lots of bad news
Yes, you're givin' people witch blues
The song "Witch Blues" by Steve Forbert is a bluesy tune that tells a story about a woman who is causing a lot of trouble and pain wherever she goes. The lyrics speak to her actions and the reactions of the people around her. The song starts off with the line "Hell ain't got no fury, that can match your kind of scorn," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. It suggests that this woman is like a force of nature, and that even hell can't match her power.
The second part of the verse reveals that there is a lot of negativity surrounding this woman, and that many people are sorry that she was even born. The second verse is about how she has treated Jim, and how it was more than the singer could understand. The way she behaves is out of hand, and she is making a lot of bad news. The chorus repeats the line "You're makin' lots of bad news, spreadin' 'round them witch blues," emphasizing the idea that this woman is causing chaos wherever she goes.
The third verse paints a picture of how the singer fears her, and how he tries to avoid her whenever possible. The following verse tells of how the singer's first impression of her was good, but that he was wrong. The final verse suggests that this woman has some sort of supernatural power, and that she can turn men into mice. It also speaks to the idea that she has the ability to shatter women, just like plate-glass window panes. Overall, the song is a commentary on the negative impact that certain people can have on the lives of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Hell ain't got no fury
Your anger surpasses the depths of Hell.
That can match your kind of scorn
No punishment could surpass your particular brand of hatred and contempt.
You've got a lot of people
Many people despise your existence.
Sorta sorry you were born
There are those who believe that the world would be a better place had you never existed.
The way you treated Jim, yeah
Your treatment of Jim was incomprehensible to me.
Was more than I could understand
I could not make sense of your actions towards Jim.
He took it sittin' down, yeah
Jim did not defend himself.
You took it way on out of hand
Your behavior was excessive and unwarranted.
You're makin' lots of bad news
Your behavior attracts negative attention.
(You're) spreadin' 'round them witch blues
You are affecting people with sadness, anger and heartbreak.
When you come walkin' in, yeah
When you enter the room, I feel uncomfortable.
I look for some good place to hide
I seek a way to distance myself from you.
And if I find there ain't one
If there's no escape, I feel trapped.
I do my best to get outside
I try to leave the area as quickly as possible.
The first time that I met you
When we first met, I enjoyed your company.
You seemed like first-rate company
You came across as a good person to be around.
Don't that only go to show now
That just proves how easily one can be mistaken.
How wrong a guy can sometimes be?
I was certainly wrong about you.
You do not ride a broom, no
You don't conform to the typical image of a witch.
And you don't wear a pointed hat
You don't wear the typical witch's hat.
But you can turn men into mice, yeah
You have a way of making men feel small and powerless.
You know a lot of tricks like that
You have an arsenal of ways to manipulate people.
And then I've seen you shatter women
I have witnessed you emotionally damage other women.
Just like plate-glass window panes
You seem to break other women with ease, like fragile glass.
No, I don't know where you came from
I have no idea where you originated from.
But I would bet it's mighty strange
I suspect your past was peculiar, to say the least.
Yes, you're givin' people witch blues
You have a way of making people feel sad, angry, and heartbroken.
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: STEVE FORBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Massimo Perin
beautiful song . I love this music
Gerard Fogarty
Absolutely fantastic Ellen o Neill 😃😃😃