Blues in the Night
Woody Herman Orchestra Lyrics
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Woody Herman
- words by Johnny Mercer, music by Harold Arlen
- written for a film called "Hot Nocturne", this song became
so popular that the movie was re-titled "Blues in the Night"
My mama done tol' me
When I was in kneepants
A woman'll sweet talk
And give ya the big eye
But when the sweet talkin's done
A woman's a two-face
A worrisome thing who'll leave ya t' sing the blues in the night
Now the rain's a-fallin'
Hear the train a-callin'
Whoo-ee (My mama done tol' me)
Hear that lonesome whistle
Blowin' 'cross the trestle
Whoo-ee (My mama done tol' me)
A whoo-ee-duh whoo-ee
Ol' clickety clack's a-echoin' back the blues in the night (Hum)
My mama was right, there's blues in the night
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"Blues in the Night" is a song brimming with melancholy and regret. The singer's mother has taught him a hard lesson about the treachery of women, warning him that their sweet talk can deceive him into a false sense of security. He cautions listeners that behind a woman's friendly façade can be a "two-face" who will ultimately leave them to "sing the blues in the night." The song's haunting melody interweaves with the sound of falling rain and a distant train whistle, creating a sense of bleak despair and loneliness as the singer reflects on the harsh realities of life and love.
The musical arrangement adds further depth to the song's emotional impact, with slowly resonating saxophones and dramatic swells punctuating the lyrics. The repeated refrain of the mother's warning reinforces the idea that the lesson learned is a hard one, and the final line of the song says it all: "My mama was right, there's blues in the night." Overall, the song is a chilling exploration of life's painful moments and the sometimes-inevitable disappointment that accompanies human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
My mama done tol' me
When I was young, my mother warned me
When I was in kneepants
Even when I was just a child
My mama done tol' me, Son!
My mother specifically addressed me
A woman'll sweet talk
Women can be charming and persuasive
And give ya the big eye
They'll use seductive glances to reel you in
But when the sweet talkin's done
Once they've achieved their goal with words
A woman's a two-face
They can turn on you unexpectedly
A worrisome thing who'll leave ya t' sing the blues in the night
That's a troubling risk that can leave you feeling sad and alone
Now the rain's a-fallin'
Currently, there is precipitation
Hear the train a-callin'
There is also the sound of a train whistle
Whoo-ee (My mama done tol' me)
An expression of surprise and confirmation of previous advice
Hear that lonesome whistle
The train's whistle sounds melancholy
Blowin' 'cross the trestle
Travelling across the bridge over the tracks
Whoo-ee (My mama done tol' me)
Another instance of surprise and confirmation
A whoo-ee-duh whoo-ee
An additional exclamation of surprise
Ol' clickety clack's a-echoin' back the blues in the night (Hum)
The sound of the train's wheels is a reminder of the sadness and loneliness felt by those who have been deceived
My mama was right, there's blues in the night
The previous warnings of his mother have been proven true, and the melancholy atmosphere reflects that truth
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAROLD ARLEN, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LordFrancisco1000
My mama done tol' me
When I was a little
My mama done tol' me, son
A woman will sweet talk
And give you the big eye
But when that sweet talk is done
A woman's a two faced
A woman's something that would leave you
Singing the blues in the night
Now the rain is falling
Heaven can hear you calling
Doo wee
Heaven blows the lonesome whistle
Blowing across the threshold
Doo wee
Doo wee ta too tee
A crickety crack go wickety wack
The blues in the night
Evening breeze will start
Trees that crying in the
All in the world wood haunted slide
When you
Get the blues
In the night
So take my word
Or the mocking bird
Will sing a sadder kind of song
Maybe he knows things
He knows things
Can go wrong
A match is a maybe
Love is the same job
Whenever the four winds blow
I've been to some big town
Had me some big town
But there is one thing I know, one thing I know
A woman's a two faced
A woman's something that would leave you
Singing the blues in the night
Blues in the night
@WretchedByNature
This song was #1 on the billboard charts the day Mitch McConnel was born.
@link090909
That’s why I’m here too 😂
@johnwagner4776
Woody Herman's singing was fully on par with Bob Eberle, Ray Eberle, and Johnny Mercer...in other words...only a tier below Sinatra and Crosby
@NancyDrewe
Dang, this is HOT. Thanks, Prof. :)
@nitramyellek442011
This was the number 1 song when mitch McConnell was born
@frankmartinez3020
The year Paul McCartney was born !!!!🐎🎂🎈🎉 I bet his Mama done told him that he was going to be a very huge super star 🌟!!
@barrynugent6950
😎