Black and Blue
The Bruises Lyrics


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Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
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
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
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?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Bruises's song "Black and Blue" tell the story of an individual who is feeling isolated, alone, and downtrodden due to the color of their skin. The first stanza speaks to the physical discomfort and isolation that the individual experiences in their own bed, highlighting the pain they feel both physically and emotionally. The second stanza delves into the personal history and ongoing experience of being black and blue, metaphorically speaking. Despite being "white inside," the individual cannot escape the stereotype and stigma associated with their skin color, leading to a sense of forlornness and despair. The third stanza amplifies this struggle, as the individual grapples with the knowledge that they will likely never escape their skin color and the challenges that come with it.


Overall, "Black and Blue" is a powerful song that speaks to the struggles and discrimination faced by people of color in society. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the physical and emotional pain that comes with racism and prejudice, and the sense of hopelessness and isolation that often accompanies it.


Line by Line Meaning

Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
I am sleeping in a bed that is as hard as lead and there is no one to share it with.


Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
My head hurts so much that it feels like I am an old man named Ned.


What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am wondering what I did to deserve the constant pain and suffering I am feeling.


No joys for me, no company
I have no happiness or companionship in my life.


Even the mouse ran from my house
Even a small creature like a mouse does not want to be near me or in my home.


All my life through I've been so black and blue
I have been feeling this way my entire life and it seems like it will never end.


I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
I may have a white heart, but it does not change the fact that I am suffering.


Cause I can't hide what is on my face
My pain is visible and cannot be hidden.


I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I am sad and hopeless. Life seems like a constant source of pain.


My heart is torn. Why was I born?
I am feeling emotionally wounded and am questioning why I exist.


How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I do not know how this pain will end and I have no friends to help me through it.


My only sin is in my skin
The only thing that seems to be causing me pain is the color of my skin and the discrimination that comes along with it.


What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am still questioning what I did to deserve this pain and suffering.


Tell me, what did I do?
I am begging for an answer to why I am feeling this way.


What did I do? What did I do?
I am repeating my question, desperately seeking an answer.


Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
I am still asking for an explanation for my constant pain and suffering.


What did I do to be so black and blue?
I am still trying to understand what I did to deserve this pain and suffering.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Cinder Ng

Thank you Mr Fischetti! Very informative!

lavender orchid

Thanks for explaining it deeply.I was searching for .. how bruises heal.

Gerardo Herrera

Who else is watching this while having a bruise

Jartu Sherman

ne doesent it feel good to hit it over and over?

Will22

Actually yes. I work in store stockroom, the other day I dropped a microwave on my foot because I lost my grip on it. I was wearing steel toe cap shoes, but the edge of the box hit the cap between the steel toe cap and wear my leg joins to my foot.

Pankaj Tayung Music & Vlogs

😅🙏

▶️Julian’s World 🌎

Me

Ayoub Hbouchi

Me I tried to stop a bunch of MDF wood from falling. I bruised my biceps

4 More Replies...

azsegrxdhtfgvijnkoml ewrhtgoij/pkL

I dropped something on my foot a couple months ago and it still hurts when I press on the area. I don't feel it at all otherwise though and I run and do lots of stuff on my feet. I don't even know if it's just the skin that hurts or if it's something else in there. Why would it still hurt after 2 months though? It wasn't even a bad injury, just a slight bruise. Also this reminds me of something else. A long time ago I got a very sight scratch on my arm that just barely broke the skin but it gave me a scar that I still have. It was the lightest little scratch. How does that cause a scar? I've had plenty of scratches like it that didn't cause a scar. Why did this one?

Runner Boy

Probably cancer

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