The Blues Brothers are an American blues band founded in 1978 by comedians … Read Full Bio ↴The Blues Brothers are an American blues band founded in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. Belushi and Aykroyd, respectively in character as lead vocalist "Joliet" Jake Blues and harpist/vocalist Elwood Blues, fronted the band, which was composed of well-known and respected musicians. The band made its debut as the musical guest on the April 22, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live.

The band then began to take on a life beyond the confines of the television screen, releasing an album, Briefcase Full of Blues, in 1978, and then having a Hollywood film, The Blues Brothers, created around its characters in 1980.

After the death of Belushi in 1982, the Blues Brothers have continued to perform with a rotation of guest singers and other band members. Aykroyd reunited the original band in 1988 for a world tour and again in 1998 for a sequel to the film, Blues Brothers 2000. Aykroyd and the band, occasionally joined by Belushi's brother Jim, make regular appearances at musical festivals worldwide.

Almost
The Blues Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I got everything I need, almost
I got everything I need, almost
But I don't got you
And you're the thing I need the most

I got a car that I bought
Won't get me far
I gotta wish on a star

Tell me mama

I got everything I need, almost
I got everything I need, almost
But I don't got you
And you're the thing I need the most

I got friends who like me
Cause I got lots of dough
The people recognize me
Wherever I go
I don't got trouble gettin' high
But if I don't get you I believe I will die

I got everything I need, almost
I got everything I need, almost
But I don't got you
And you're the thing I need the most

I got everything I need, almost
I got everything I need, almost

I got everything I need, almost
I got everything I need, almost

But I don't got you
And you're the thing I need the most

Overall Meaning

The Blues Brothers' "Almost" is a bluesy song that reflects on the singer's life and the things they have versus what they lack. The first verse demonstrates this dichotomy in a powerful way: the singer notes that they have nearly everything they need but not the one essential thing they desire most - the person they love. The second verse takes a different angle, with the singer discussing possessions they do have, like a car and friends, but ultimately concludes that those things are not enough to compensate for the absence of their beloved.

The song follows a classic blues structure with repetitious lyrics and a simple guitar melody backed by piano, drums, and bass. The emphasis on the words "almost" and "but I don't got you" drives home the song's irony and masterfully creates a feeling of longing and despair. The song's tone captures the classic blues feeling of melancholy and yearning.

Overall, "Almost" is a classic blues track that encapsulates the genre's ethos in its lyrics and musicality. The song showcases the enduring power of blues music to capture complex emotions and communicate them to a wide audience.

Line by Line Meaning

I got everything I need, almost
I have all that I need in my life, with the exception of one thing.

I got everything I need, almost
My life is complete in many ways but there is still something missing.

But I don't got you
Despite all the things I have in my life, I do not have your presence by my side.

And you're the thing I need the most
You are the most important thing that I need to make my life complete.

I got a car that I bought
I have a car in my possession that I purchased with the hope of being able to go places.

Won't get me far
Despite my possession of a car, it is incapable of taking me far enough to bring me what I truly desire.

I gotta wish on a star
To attain my heart's desire, I resort to wishing upon the stars.

Tell me mama
Asking for guidance and direction from those who have come before me.

I got friends who like me
I have friends who like me for who I am and what I have to offer.

Cause I got lots of dough
My wealth and status provide me with the ability to make connections and build relationships.

The people recognize me
I am well-known and acknowledged by people wherever I go.

Wherever I go
People know my name and recognize my status.

I don't got trouble gettin' high
I can easily attain a high with the use of drugs or alcohol.

But if I don't get you I believe I will die
Despite all of these things, if I cannot have you in my life, I feel as though I will not be able to go on.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONALD GILBERT WALSH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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