Black & Blue
Street Sounds 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?
In Street Sounds's "Black & Blue," the singer laments the cruel treatment he's received in life, simply because of the color of his skin. He describes his lonely, painful existence through evocative imagery - a cold, empty bed with hard springs, pains in his head - all of which reinforce the sense of isolation and despair he feels. He wonders what he did to deserve such a fate, to be "so black and blue."
Despite his inner turmoil, the singer recognizes that his suffering is visible to the outside world, in his face and in his skin. He's "white inside," but his exterior appearance betrays him. This realization offers little comfort: his heart is torn, life is a thorn, and he doesn't even have a friend. He feels as if his only sin is in his skin, and he's left asking, "What did I do to be so black and blue?"
Through these lyrics, Street Sounds offers a powerful commentary on the experience of being a person of color in a society that devalues and oppresses them. The imagery of the song is raw and visceral, and the singer's pain feels palpable. Ultimately, the song is a reminder that the scars of racism run deep, and we must work together to heal them.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
I lie alone in my bed, where the springs feel like they are weighing me down.
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I am in pain, both emotionally and physically.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I wonder what I did to experience such hardship and pain in my life.
No joys for me, no company
I have no happiness in my life and no one to share it with.
Even the mouse ran from my house
I am so down that even the pests won't stick around.
All my life through I've been so black and blue
I have been suffering my entire life.
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
I may be internally good, but that doesn't change the way I am perceived.
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I cannot hide the colour of my skin, which continues to hold me back.
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I am very sad and life feels like a source of pain.
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I am in emotional turmoil and question why I even exist.
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I wonder how my life will end, and feel that I have no one to turn to for support.
My only sin is in my skin
I have done nothing wrong except for being born with the wrong skin color.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I continue to question what caused my pain and suffering.
Tell me, what did I do?
I plead for someone to explain why I am experiencing so much difficulty.
What did I do? What did I do?
I repeat my question, desperate for an answer.
What did I do? What did I do?
My pain and confusion is overwhelming, and I cannot stop asking the same question.
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I beg for a satisfying answer to explain the pain and suffering I have endured throughout my life.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind