Killing Floor
The Electric Flag Lyrics
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I should of quit you, babe, long time ago
I should of quit you, and went on to Mexico
If I had of followed, my first mind
If I had of followed, my first mind
I'd of been gone, since my second time
A
I should of went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me
But no I was foolin' with ya, baby, I let ya put me on the killin' floor
Lord knows, I should of been gone
Lord knows, I should of been gone
And I wouldn't have been here, down on the killin' floor
Yeah
The Electric Flag's song "Killing Floor" is a blues song that speaks to the regret that comes from staying in a toxic relationship. The singer is expressing regret for not leaving the relationship sooner, acknowledging that they should have trusted their instincts and gone to Mexico instead. They blame themselves for being foolish and staying with their partner, ultimately ending up on the "killing floor." The killing floor is a metaphor for the psychological and emotional guilt and pain that comes from staying with an unhealthy partner.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware of their mistakes, and they wish they had acted differently. By reminiscing on the past and imagining what could have been if they had left, the singer is making a confession to their partner that they are aware of the negative effects of their relationship. But, despite knowing what needs to be done, they continue to stay in the relationship, recognizing the lethality of doing so, but also feeling powerless to change things.
Line by Line Meaning
I should of quit you, a long time ago
I regret not leaving you earlier
I should of quit you, babe, long time ago
I should have parted ways with you a long time ago
I should of quit you, and went on to Mexico
I should have left you and gone to Mexico
If I had of followed, my first mind
If I had followed my instinct
If I had of followed, my first mind
If I had listened to myself, I would have left earlier
I'd of been gone, since my second time
I would have left after our second interaction
I should of went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me
I should have left with my friend from Mexico
But no I was foolin' with ya, baby, I let ya put me on the killin' floor
I was foolish for sticking around and letting you drag me down
Lord knows, I should of been gone
God knows I should have left already
And I wouldn't have been here, down on the killin' floor
If I had left earlier, I wouldn't be in this dangerous situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chester Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shlomoshunn3597
I was there, too.
When the Electric Flag started, a tiny fan blew a small flag above Buddy Miles' head.
Mike Bloomfield had to leave early. People started to boo. He said we'd like his substitute. Out walked Jiimi with a long feather in his cap.
Steppenwolf played, too.
As did Quicksilver Messenger Service.
The cost of the ticket?
$2.50!
I remember a recording of Traffic's "Dear Mr. Fantasy" playing as people took their seats.
http://rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2009/12/june-7-8-fillmore-east-electric.html
@rahulreddy3761
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I should have quit you, a long time ago
Yes I should have quit you, babe, a long time ago
I wouldn't be here now people, down on the killing floor
If I'd have listened to my second mind
Yes if I'd have listened to my second mind
You know I wouldn't be here now people, down on the killing floor
If I'd have listened to my second mind
Yes if I'd have listened to my second mind
You know I wouldn't be here now people, down on the killing floor
I should have gone on, when my friend said come to Mexico with me
I should have gone on, when my friend said come to Mexico with me
Well I wouldn't be here now people, down on the killing floor
Yes I should have quit you, a long time ago
Yes I should have quit you, babe, a long time ago
I wouldn't be here now people, down on the killing floor
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Burnett Chester / Howlin Wolf
Killing Floor lyrics © Arc Music, Arc Music Corp, Prestige Music Co Inc
@dbrinkm1
I bought this great album when a senior at Illinois state univ. in 1968..still have it !..a great presentation of horns, drums and vocals...all in one I learned to read music and play trumpet , coronet and baritone since age 11...you can bet I gravitated to this great band. great artistry is here presented...enjoy !..I have for over 50 yrs. !!
@cathsalazar9930
Damnnnnn this brings me back to my age 16! At 71 now this is just as it was then killer!..... love this album!.... where’d those awesome days go?..... this is so dope!......👍🇺🇸💯❤️👌☮️
@jeffreybank5006
They went down the tubes with Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.
@larryleitch3803
I hope you are still in the same frame as I really have escaped to the present, salvaging only my favorite memories that surface, at around now ....
@cathsalazar9930
@@larryleitch3803 me too dude! Pleasure reading your reply! Awesome memories of this great song & time! ❤️from🇺🇸👍
@stevenalbertbartlett2688
@@cathsalazar9930 wore this 1 out..way ahead of itz tyme..played itleast 1nce a day..Horn sexshun..hot..( istill du trumpet & keyz)..sum guitar..
@cathsalazar9930
@@stevenalbertbartlett2688 awesome dude! One of the greatest music ever! Have or had the album!...
@lwhite1523
My roomate and I saw the electric flag at the Filmore East. Mike had the sunburst LP and 4 Fender Twin reverbs ganged. He got the "killing floor" tone with that rig!! After the show was over, we heard some of the staff whispering "don't leave." The curtain was down. about 5-8 minutes later the curtain came up and buddy miles and Carl Radle(bass) were standing there. Some weird guy came out, plugged his strat straight into the twin rig and turned around. Jimi Hendrix and the other two played the blues, no vocals, for a long long time. Outrageous. I could never get either of their tones out of a single twin reverb. . . I just saw the post below. I think the date was 2nd week of June '68.
@boyermatthews2177
My old man put me on this shit yrs ago. He heard it for the first time in Vietnam. Thanks pop. Love you.
@jimmymoosic
I would have done anything to be there. That is great. Summer of 68 this album was on replay in my bedroom.