Coal Black Mattie
The Black Keys Lyrics
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Fool got drunk, close that door
Coal black Mattie ain't got change in clothes
Goin' to Memphis, see that world fair
Reason I'm going, 'cause my baby's there
Goin' to Memphis, see that world fair
Woman, I got cherry red
Need no heater fireplace by my bed
Poor black Mattie ain't got change in clothes
Fool got drunk, close that door
Coal black Mattie ain't got change in clothes
The song "Coal Black Mattie" by The Black Keys is a bluesy lament about a woman named Mattie who is destitute and lacks even the basic necessities of life. The repeated line "Poor black Mattie ain't got change in clothes" underscores her poverty and struggles in life. The reference to her being "coal black" suggests that Mattie is a dark-skinned woman, and the fact that she lacks clothing could be seen as a metaphor for how she lacks social status and the means to improve her condition.
The song takes a turn when the singer states that he is going to Memphis to see the world fair because his baby is there. This suggests that there is a glimmer of hope in his life, and that he hopes to find a better life and future with his loved one. The line "Need no heater fireplace by my bed/Woman, I got cherry red" could be interpreted as a reference to the passionate love the singer has for his partner, and how it warms him even more than a physical source of heat.
Line by Line Meaning
Poor black Mattie ain't got change in clothes
Mattie is impoverished and cannot afford a wardrobe
Fool got drunk, close that door
Someone is drunk and needs to be removed from the premises
Coal black Mattie ain't got change in clothes
Mattie is still impoverished and has no new clothing
Goin' to Memphis, see that world fair
Traveling to Memphis to experience the World's Fair
Reason I'm going, 'cause my baby's there
I'm going to Memphis to be with my love
Goin' to Memphis, see that world fair
Once again expressing excitement to see the World's Fair in Memphis
Need no heater fireplace by my bed
I don't need a heater or fireplace to feel warm because of the love in my life
Woman, I got cherry red
I have a cherry red-loving woman in my life
Need no heater fireplace by my bed
Reiterating that love keeps me warm and satisfied in life
Poor black Mattie ain't got change in clothes
Once again acknowledging that Mattie is still struggling financially
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Ranie Burnette
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kubilay Önel
Verse 1]
Poor black Mattie ain't got
Change in clothes
Fool got drunk, close that door
Coal black Mattie
Ain't got change in clothes
[Verse 2]
Goin' to Memphis, see that world fair
Reason I'm going
'Cause my baby's there
Goin' to Memphis
See that world fair
[Verse 3]
Need no heater fireplace by my bed
Woman I got
Cherry red
Need no heater
Fireplace by my bed
[Verse 4]
Poor black Mattie ain't got change in clothes
Fool got drunk, close that door
Coal black Mattie
Ain't got change in clothes
Baptiste Dargaud
This is the black keys we love !
Harley williams
Yep
Chris James
Can no longer say, "yeah, I liked their old stuff"
The 2nd Coming
“I been knew that.”🙎🏻♂️
Strange Wayfaring Stranger
Honestly, I could go for a whole other album of songs like this haha. They should've made this a double album.
Elon_ Gate
@Patrick you clearly don't know music😘
Nick Schrombeck
This reminds me of Thickfreakness, definitely could use another one
J H
well it all boils down to funds... how much for printing and how much per letter and how many colors...
if it aint in the budget then its no double album... well the record label always says so but the people..the fans are always right though.
Elon_ Gate
Yeah exactly check out R.L they took that whole riff
Armando Solorzano
I recommend listening to some RL Burnside albums if you wanna hear more like this. His live bootlegs rock too. Dude playing slide here was his adopted son