The Blues Would Slip Right in
Tony Galla Lyrics
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a West Side flat
Mama worked hard
Just to keep clothes on our back
She would sing to us
those gospel hymns
But every now and then
The blues would slip right in
Oh, the blues would slip right in
Yeah, the blues would slip right in
When she would sing
The blues would slip right in
We didn't have
much living in a welfare state
Always a dollar short
and a day late
I can't remember
ever being underfed
'Cause mama worked miracles
with what we had
Still the blues would slip right in
Oh the blues would slip right in
She worked miracles
But the blues would slip right in
She used to drive us to sing
for all the folks
They'd give us money
Just to hear us sing down home
When we sang harmony
she would always grin
But every now and then
The blues would slip right in
Oh, the blues would slip right in
Yeah, the blues would slip right in
When she would grin
The blues would slip right in
Guitar solo
I've tried to sing legit
like Pavarotti
I've even tried
it in three part harmony
But every time I do
you know I just can't win
Cause when I start to sing
The blues just slips right in
Oh, the blues just slips right in
Yeah, the blues just slips right in
I just can't win
Cause the blues just slips right in
blues just slips right in
Guitar solo
The lyrics of Tony Galla's song, The Blues Would Slip Right in, depict the struggle of growing up in poverty while also being surrounded by music. The singer explains that his mother worked hard to keep clothes on their backs and would sing gospel hymns to them, but every now and then, the blues would slip right in. Despite the lack of financial stability, the singer's mother worked miracles with what they had and drove them to sing for people, often receiving money in return.
The blues slipping right in refers to the pervasive feeling of sadness and depression that is sometimes impossible to escape. Despite his attempts to sing "legit," like Pavarotti, or try three-part harmony, the blues always seems to find a way in. This emphasizes the idea that music can serve as both a coping mechanism and a reminder of the harsh realities of life.
Overall, the song portrays the idea that music can serve as both a source of joy and, at times, a reminder of the struggles faced. The lyrics, paired with the bluesy instrumental, convey a sense of longing and a deep-rooted understanding of the blues.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up in
Tony Galla was raised in a West Side flat
a West Side flat
Tony Galla grew up in housing projects
Mama worked hard
Tony Galla's mother worked hard to provide for her children
Just to keep clothes on our back
She worked to ensure her children have basic necessities like clothing
She would sing to us
Tony Galla's mother used to sing gospel hymns to him and his siblings
those gospel hymns
The songs his mother would sing were religious in nature
But every now and then
However, at times
The blues would slip right in
the blues would enter their lives
Oh, the blues would slip right in
The blues would enter their lives unexpectedly
Yeah, the blues would slip right in
The blues would come in without warning
When she would sing
Whenever his mother sings
We didn't have
Tony Galla and his family were financially deprived
much living in a welfare state
The family depended on government welfare program for their living
Always a dollar short
It was difficult to make ends meet
and a day late
They often found themselves being late in the payments of dues
I can't remember
Tony Galla doesn't remember being hungry
ever being underfed
His mother managed to provide for the family even when they didn't have much
'Cause mama worked miracles
His mother worked hard just to provide the basic necessities
with what we had
with the little they had
She used to drive us to sing
His mother used to take him and his siblings to sing for people
for all the folks
They performed for anyone who would listen
They'd give us money
People would pay them for their performance
Just to hear us sing down home
People enjoyed their simple, nostalgic songs
When we sang harmony
Tony Galla and his siblings would often sing songs in harmony
she would always grin
Their mother would smile at their performances
But every now and then
However, sometimes
The blues would slip right in
he would feel sad and have the blues
I've tried to sing legit
Tony Galla has tried to sing seriously
like Pavarotti
He has attempted to sing like the famous tenor, Pavarotti
I've even tried
He has made multiple attempts
it in three part harmony
Trying to harmonize in three different parts
But every time I do
But each time he tries
you know I just can't win
He is unable to do so successfully
Cause when I start to sing
Because whenever he starts to sing
The blues just slips right in
He starts to feel sad and the blues enter his life
I just can't win
Tony Galla is unable to defeat the feeling of sadness
Cause the blues just slips right in
The sadness he feels just enters his life without warning
Contributed by Camilla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.