Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.
St. Louis Blues
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hate to see that evening sun go down
Cause my baby, he's gone left this town
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
If I'm feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way
Pulls that man around by her, if it wasn't for her and her
That man I love would have gone nowhere, nowhere
I got the St. Louis blues, blues as I can be
That man's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me
I love my baby like a school boy loves his pie
Like a Kentucky colonel loves his mint 'n rye
I love my man till the day I die
The Dave Brubeck Quartet's "St. Louis Blues" is a jazz-infused interpretation of the classic blues song originally recorded by blues legend W.C. Handy in 1914. Brubeck's version features vocals by Louis Armstrong and follows the traditional 12-bar blues structure. The song tells the story of a man who is heartbroken and laments the departure of his lover from St. Louis. The opening line, "I hate to see that evening sun go down," is a common blues lyric, referring to the sadness and despair that often comes with nightfall.
The song's protagonist feels helpless in his situation and sees no hope for the future, stating that he will leave town if he feels as bad tomorrow as he does today. The lyrics also touch on themes of jealousy and possessiveness, as the "St. Louis woman with her diamond ring" is able to control and manipulate the man the singer once loved. Despite his pain, the singer still loves his woman deeply and compares his affection for her to that of a schoolboy with his pie or a Kentucky colonel with his mint 'n rye.
Overall, "St. Louis Blues" is a timeless song that combines elements of both the blues and jazz genres while exploring universal themes of love, loss, and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate to see that evening sun go down
It breaks my heart to see the sun set because it reminds me of my lover leaving this town.
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today
If I feel tomorrow the same way I feel today, I'll leave everything and give up.
St. Louis woman with her diamond ring
This St. Louis woman flaunts her wealth and controls her man, without her he would have been nothing.
I got the St. Louis blues, blues as I can be
I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to the point of no return.
That man's got a heart like a rock cast in the sea
My lover is unsympathetic and cold just like a heart of stone in the deep and dark sea.
I love my baby like a school boy loves his pie
I love my lover with intense passion similar to the way a school boy covets his dessert.
Like a Kentucky colonel loves his mint 'n rye
My love is as strong as a Kentucky colonel's preference for his favorite spirits.
I love my man till the day I die
My love for my man remains deep and eternal, even beyond the end of my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTIAS HELLBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MUSIC SAVANT
No one sounds like Dave Brubeck and for that I am forever grateful! His one-of-a-kind jazz appealed to me when I was a kid, plus the fact my parents loved him! As a native of the St. Louis area I love his blues of any kind!
Herbert Turner
Dave Brubeck nailed it !!! I am a native St Louian I am loving that sound in 2020
Samir Mokdad
Thank you Dave Brubeck for the joy you give us any time we listen to you. Your music will remain live for ever...May your soul rest in peace.
Zap Gun
I just love how when you don't see the video, you don't know that it's four old men playing a song. It means that they put their hearts into their music and they're mentally still as young as ever.
Samir Mokdad
Thank you Dave Brubeck for the joy you give us any time we listen to your amazing West Coast cool jazz ! Your music will remain alive for ever... May your soul rest in peace. ! Samir Mokdad
biloo dogra
In our teens and The Sixties,the top favorite in our Jazz Yatra Group ! Cheers !
Oh Carol
Ahmad Jamal & Dave Brubeck have THE BEST jazz sound. Their music wll live on forever....
Rick Ambrose
God Bless Dave Brubeck.
Samir Mokdad
Thank you Dave Brubeck for giving us joy any time we listen to your West Coast Cool Jazz...Your music will stay alive for ever...May your soul rest in peace...Samir Mokdad
Murali Madupu
Just I love Dave, from child hood I keep listening his jazz. You live for ever Jazz lovers hearts all over the world. May your aatma (soul) rest in peace.You gave us lots of Joy. Thank you.