Killing Floor
Willie Dixon & Johnny Winter Lyrics
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I should'a quit you, baby, long time ago
And I wouldn't've been down here, down on the killin' floor
If I ha'da followed, my first mind
If I ha'da followed, my first mind
I'd'a been down here, this all my second time
I should'a gone on, when my friend come from Mexico with me
I wouldn't've been here, down on the killin' floor
I should'a quit you, long time ago
I should'a quit you, baby, long time ago
And I wouldn't've been down here, down on the killin' floor
If I ha'da followed, my first mind
If I ha'da followed, my first mind
I'd'a been down here, this all my second time
I should'a gone on, when my friend come from Mexico with me
I should'a gone on, when my friend come from Mexico with me
I wouldn't've been here, down on the killin' floor
The song "Killing Floor" written by Willie Dixon and performed by Johnny Winter is a blues classic that has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The lyrics speak of regret and missed opportunities as the singer expresses his desire to have left a toxic relationship before he found himself on the "killing floor." The repetition of the opening lines suggests a sense of frustration and self-blame for not taking action sooner. The second verse alludes to the notion of a second chance, but again, the singer laments not following his intuition, which may have prevented him from ending up in the same situation again.
The use of the term "killing floor" refers to the section of a slaughterhouse where animals are killed for meat. However, in the context of the song, it represents a metaphor for a place of emotional turmoil and pain caused by a bad relationship. This song is a classic example of the blues genre, which is known for its raw emotional expression, featuring themes of sadness, loneliness, and heartache.
In many ways, "Killing Floor" represents the archetypal blues song, with its simple repetitive structure, call-and-response vocals, and blues scale-based melody. Although the lyrics may be interpreted as a warning about getting trapped in an unhealthy relationship, the song continues to resonate with music lovers and remains an important part of the blues cannon to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
I should'a quit you, long time ago
I should have left you a long time ago
I should'a quit you, baby, long time ago
I should have left you, baby, a long time ago
And I wouldn't've been down here, down on the killin' floor
If I had left you earlier, I would not be in this dangerous situation
If I ha'da followed, my first mind
If I had listened to my instincts
If I ha'da followed, my first mind
If I had listened to my instincts
I'd'a been down here, this all my second time
I would have avoided this situation for the second time
I should'a gone on, when my friend come from Mexico with me
I should have left when my friend from Mexico came with me
I should'a gone on, when my friend come from Mexico with me
I should have left when my friend from Mexico came with me
I wouldn't've been here, down on the killin' floor
If I had left then, I wouldn't be in danger in this situation
I should'a quit you, long time ago
I should have left you a long time ago
I should'a quit you, baby, long time ago
I should have left you, baby, a long time ago
And I wouldn't've been down here, down on the killin' floor
If I had left you earlier, I would not be in this dangerous situation
If I ha'da followed, my first mind
If I had listened to my instincts
If I ha'da followed, my first mind
If I had listened to my instincts
I'd'a been down here, this all my second time
I would have avoided this situation for the second time
I should'a gone on, when my friend come from Mexico with me
I should have left when my friend from Mexico came with me
I should'a gone on, when my friend come from Mexico with me
I should have left when my friend from Mexico came with me
I wouldn't've been here, down on the killin' floor
If I had left then, I wouldn't be in danger in this situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chester Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind