Eulogy of a Blues Master
No music,
not reggae, not punk and certainly not rap,
is more hip, more with it,
than the blues
And no blues musician
was more profound
than John Lee Hooker
Born long, long ago
way down in the state
of Mississippi
He grew up poor
on the Big Muddy
on the delta
amongst other poor negros
amongst poor white folks
amongst segregation, amongst racism
amongst hatred
But he and his guitar
would rise above
to play the rhythm
of an oppressed people
And brother, could he jam!
He dug
Big Legs, Tight Skirts
He drank
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
He'd
Boom Boom, Greg Corso music
all night long
And as for his
guitar pickin', huh
He was the Hendrix of the blues
Ain't nobody better'n Johnny Lee!
The King of the Blues!
And even though maybe
you can't hear it,
Somewhere,
Somewhere,
John Lee is still playin' that boogie
poem by Paul the Lion
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Related quotes
The Blues Line
Hear blues arrived from Southern starlight,
like musical blackbirds in flight.
Originally with negro spiritual flow,
underlined with the hard blues glow.
Moving across mason dixie line,
discovering Chicago rhythm and rhyme.
Where going electric was the thing,
man did you hear the sounds ring.
The howling wolf amongst others,
Muddy Waters, BB-King were brothers.
Creating chess musical legends anew,
whose fiery blues sound rang true.
Across the Atlantic ocean way,
the Chicago blues found a new day.
A new British scene was born,
another blues voice found form.
Blues stars like the great John Mayall,
created a new sound to set sail.
The Yardbirds and The Cream,
set fire to the blues guitar dream.
Blues music lets us feel,
allowed us to often heal.
Gives rise to higher emotion,
lets us share some sweet devotion.
2012 has blues musicians anew,
sons and daughters take musical cue.
Play those twelve bar song blues,
man have you heard the news.
The blues sound remains forever,
blues cats will forsake never.
As long as sunlight shall shine,
rhythm song beat shall rhyme.
poem by Wayne Falconer
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The Blues Come Around
Once I was happy as I could be but I let a gal make a fool of me
And ever since she let me down the blues come around when the sun comes down
Oh the blues come around oh the blues come around
Lard the blues come around every evenin' when the sun goes down
[ guitar ]
As the sun is in the sky those doggone blues never make me cry
But ever since she left this town the blues come around when the sun goes down
Oh the blues come around...
[ fiddle ]
I've built my castle very high and then she went and said goodbye
Ever since she poured 'em down the blues come around when the sun goes down
Oh the blues come around...
[ steel ]
Once she called me all her own but now she's gone and I'm alone
And every evenin' I'm sorrow bound
Cause the blues come around when the sun goes down
Oh the blues come around...
[ guitar ]
Oh the blues come around...
song performed by by Hank Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ive Got The Blues More Than You Do Blues
Grew up in the mississippi delta
In a shotgun shack
Washboard for my pillow
til the tax man took that back
Moved out on my own
I was just eight years old ... top that
You think you got the blues
Look at my life
Ive got the blues more than you do ... blues
When I was an itty-bitty baby
I was my mamas only surviving son
She used my head as a washrag
I thought it was fun
Walked to school upway both ways
With no legs ... top that
You think you got the blues
Look at my life
Ive got the blues more than you do ... blues
Got so drunk the other night I couldnt find my way home
Had to have a blind man show me
When I finally did get there,
My own dog had disowned me
A womam in a bar just looks at me and coughed and said
I dont even know you, but I wish youd die off ... top that
You think you got the blues
Look at my life
Ive got the blues more than you do ... blues
song performed by by Jewel
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Blues
Hes gonna tell you bout his dear old mother
Burned up in a factory in springfield, mass.
Hes gonna tell you bout his baby brother
Hustlin down the city streets
And selling his ass for a dollar bag
Hes gonna tell you bout his uncle neddy
Locked up in a prison out in oregon
Hes gonna tell you bout his best friend eddie
Killed in a bar fight with a pair of marines
And a sailor
Oh
Hes got the blues, this boy
Hes got the blues
You can hear it in his music
Hes got the blues, this boy
Hes got the blues
You can hear it, you can hear it
When I was nine years old
My daddy ran away
With a woman he met on a train, oh
His little boy
Ran to the room
Where his piano
Lay in wait for him
He played and he played
He played and he played
Hes got the blues, this boy
Hes got the blues
You can hear it, you can hear it
Hes got the blues, this boy
Hes got the blues
A year ago, I met a girl
I thought wed hit a massive groove
But she dumped me
And all wed hit were the blues
Hes got the blues, this boy
Hes got the blues
You can hear it in his music
Hes got the blues, this boy
Hes really got the blues
song performed by by Randy Newman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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There's no way in the world I can feel the same blues the way I used to. When I play in Chicago, I'm playing up-to-date, not the blues I was born with. People should hear the pure blues - the blues we used to have when we had no money.
quote by Muddy Waters
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I have heartaches, I have blues. No matter what you got, the blues is there. 'Cause that's all I know - the blues. And I can sing the blues so deep until you can have this room full of money and I can give you the blues.
quote by John Lee Hooker
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Rhythm Machine
I'm a rhythm machine; you know what I mean,
I'm a rhythm machine; you know what I mean
I got time, running through my
head in bed,
Instead of sleep, how it looks instead,
I'm a rhythm machine; you know what I mean,
I'm a music man; I play the blues whenever I can,
I'm a music man; I play the blues whenever I can,
I get a flat backbeat, instead of food when I eat,
The ticking of a clock gets me out of my seat
I'm a music man; I play the blues whenever I can.
I'm her cross cut saw before I
was four
Smoked-staked lightning had me crawling across the floor
The beach ball didn't get me but that son-in-law did
I'm been keeping time ever since I was a kid
I'm a music machine, don't you know what I mean,
I'm rhythm machine; he knows what I mean, oh.
Yeah, yeah.
I'm a rhythm machine; I'm a rhythm machine,
I'm a rhythm machine, don't you know what I mean
I'm a music man, yeah,
I'm gonna play the blues whenever I can,
Hey, play the blues then,
Oh, yeah, yeah, play it for Kings and Queens,
Yeah, yeah, I'm a music man,
I'm a rhythm machine......
song performed by by Bad Company
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Blues Of The Months
The blues of January,
The blues of February,
The blues of March,
The blues of April,
The blues of May,
The blues of June,
The blues of July,
The blues of August,
The blues of September,
The blues of October,
The blues of November,
The blues of December,
Meet me there if you can!
And like Glory-Land and Merry-land;
But my home will always accept in your sweet blues.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Get Rhythm
(johnny cash)
Get rhythm when you get the blues
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Get a rock n roll feelin in your bones
Get taps on your toes and just get gone
Get rhythm when you get the blues
Little shoeshine boy never gets low down
But hes got the dirtiest job in town
Bendin low at the peoples feet
On the windy corner of the dirty street
Well, I asked him while he shined my shoes
Howd he keep from gettin the blues
He grinned as he shook his little head
Popped a shoeshine rag and then he said
Get rhythm when you get the blues
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
It only costs a dime, just a nickel a shoe
Does a million dollars worth of good for you
Get rhythm when you get the blues
Well, I started to listen to the shoeshine boy
And I thought I was gonna jump for joy
Slapped on the shoe polish left and right
He took a shoeshine rag and he held it tight
He stopped once to wipe the sweat away
I said youre a mighty little boy to be a-workin that way
He said I like it, with a big wide grin
And he kept on poppin and he said again
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Yes a jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It shakes all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the blues
Get rhythm when you get the blues
Get rhythm when you get the blues
Get a rock n roll feelin in your bones
Get taps on your toes and get gone
Get rhythm when you get the blues
song performed by by Ry Cooder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Payola Blues
This ones for you al freed,
Wherever you go, whatever you do
cause the things theyre doing today
Will make a saint out of you
Payola blues.
Ive got the payola blues
Even though I already paid my dues.
Listen to me mr. d.j., hear what Ive got to say
If a man is making music, they ought to let his record play.
Payola blues
No matter where I go
I never hear my record on the radio.
Well, heres three thousand, that ought to get it on.
Well, thanks a lot man! I love your new song.
Payola blues
No matter where I go
I never hear my record on the radio.
And it goes like this.
I got a brand new record company, new manager too.
Got a great new record, I cant get through to you.
Payola blues
No matter where I go
I never hear my record on the radio.
How about this new mercedes benz, that ought to get it on.
Well, thanks a lot man! Ill play it all day long.
Payola blues
No matter where I go
I never hear my record on the radio.
Ive got the payola blues, payola blues
Im paying those payola blues
No matter where I go
I never hear my record on the radio.
song performed by by Neil Young
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Six String Music
Six string music
By: jimmy buffett, g.e. smith
1994
Turn off the t.v.
Turn off the crap
Kick off your high heels
Climb up in my lap
Chorus:
And Ill play music
A song from me to you
Simple six string music
A ballad or the blues
No interruptions
>from the telephone
Dont need call waitin
Just you and me alone
Chorus:
And my six string music (six string music)
A song from me to you
Simple six string music (six string music)
A ballad or the blues
Oh I remember that night in africa
My daughter and my little guitar
Straddling the equator
The king of zanzibar
Those shy black hidden faces
They didnt know me from adams cat
But the words and the singin
And the people in a ring
And the whole night went like that
Now some folks like icing
Some folks like cake
Some swim in the ocean
Some paddle in a lake
Well you can get into beethoven
Or you can groove on jimmy reed
But keep it simple stupid
All we really need is
Chorus:
Six string music (six string music)
A song from me to you
Simple six string music (six string music)
A ballad or the blues
Six string music (six string music)
Aint no symphony
Its just six string music (six string music)
So elementary
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Satellite Blues
She makes the place a jumpin'
The way she moves around
She like a rump and rollin'
That's when she get it out
And when she start a rockin'
She bring me to the boil
She like to give it out some
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
A picture clear for watchin'
The dish is runnin' hot
The box is set for pumpin'
She gonna take the lot
The way she get the butt in
She's gettin' set to ball
I like to chew it up some
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
Can't get nothin' on the dial
The frigin' thing gone wild
All I get's the dumbed down news
New satellite blues
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
I got the satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
This thing's nothing but a load of crap
I'm gonna send it right back
You can stick it where it hurts...
Mac!
I got the satellite blues
song performed by by AC/DC from Stiff Upper Lip
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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She's Got The Rhythm ( And I Got The Blues)
Spoken: Ya'll got the rhythm in here tonight?
Crowd noisethenAw Yea,
Old bar stool's feelin' higher
I've started sinkin' lower
The minute that she waltzed right through that door
Not long ago I held her, like a fool I went and left her
Now she's with somebody new out on that floor.
And she's got the rhythm and I got the blues
And she's showin' me how much I had to lose
With her every little move she's tellin' me I'm over you
She's got the rhythm and I've got the blues.
Yee Haw.
--- Instrumental ---
That music's gettin' louder
As my heart keeps beatin' faster
As she spells out regret in perfect time
Well, I thought I wanted freedom but that ball and chain I need 'em
'Cause when you choose sometimes you lose the prize.
'Cause she's got the rhythm and I got the blues
She's showin' me how much I had to lose
With her every little move she's tellin' me I'm over you
She's got the rhythm and I've got the blues.
--- Instrumental ---
Yeah, she's got the rhythm and I got the blues
She's showin' me how much I had to lose
With her every little move she's tellin' me I'm over you
She's got the rhythm and I've got the blues.
Yeah, with her every little move she's tellin' me I'm over you
She's got the rhythm and I got the blues...
song performed by by Alan Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Out Of The Blues
Words out of the blues,
Works out of the blues,
Minds out of the blues;
My dream girl came out of the blues and,
You could see me now like a new born baby.
The way you want me is what i am now,
For i have been too long in the rain.
Out of the blues came my lover,
Out of the blues came my girl;
You can now see me with her always.
Out of the blues with the kiss of love around us,
I have been too long in the rain;
My love is as white as snow.
Roses are red and violets are blue but,
Your greenlight is an eye catcher;
When the going gets tough,
The tough must get going.
Like the true love given to Einstein,
That the news flash to you about this love;
Like the true love given to Robert Redford,
Out of the blues came my lover;
Rome was really not built in a day.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Poor Boy Blues
My daddy said
Son, dont you come to me cryin
Cause money dont make you a happy man
He said the grass is always greener
Any place except where you stand
He said some are born to win
And some born to lose
And sing them poor boy blues
Watch out
Ive lived uptown, downtown
Lord Ive lived everywhere
Almost drowned in the puddle of my own sweat I swear
I believe its due time I get my mansion in ole bel air
Chorus:
But Im still singin those poor boy blues
Poor boy blues
You dont know how Im feeling baby
Until youre wearing my shoes
Sure as Im standing here
I got them poor boy blues
Friday night I get tanked up
And tossed in the local slam
At least I get three square meals
Until someone gets me out of this jam
In the meanwhile all my green
Is going to uncle sam
Chorus:
Walk this dog
Solo
Chorus
song performed by by Poison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Blues Leave Me Alone
(by james lane)
Blues, blues trying to drive me away from home.
Blues, blues trying to drive me away from home.
Had the blues so bad, blues followed me all day long.
Blues, blues wont let me take my rest.
Blues, blues wont let me take my rest.
My mind is rambling like a wild geese out in the west.
Well, youre my all day steady, baby youre my midnight dream.
Yes, youre my all day steady, baby youre my midnight dream.
I love that woman better than anyone Ive ever seen.
Blues, blues follow me all day long.
Blues, blues follow me all day long.
Blues, blues wont you please leave me alone.
song performed by by Eric Clapton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Satellite Blues
(young - young)
She makes the place a jumpin
The way she moves around
She like a rump and rollin
Thats when she get it out
And when she start a rockin
She bring me to the boil
She like to give it out some
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
A picture clear for watchin
The dish is runnin hot
The box is set for pumpin
She gonna take the lot
The way she get the butt in
Shes gettin set to ball
I like to chew it up some
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues), yeah yeah
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
Cant get nothin on the dial
The frigin thing gone wild
All I gets the dumbed down news
New satellite blues
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
I got the satellite blues (new satellite blues)
New satellite blues (new satellite blues)
This things nothing but a load of crap
Im gonna send it right back
You can stick it where it hurts...
Mac!
I got the satellite blues
2000, j. albert & son, pty.
song performed by by AC-DC
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ode To Eric Clapton
Hear Eric Clapton's got the blues
did he pay his dues
have you heard the news
hear Eric Clapton's got the blues.
Nicknamed old slow hand in band
Eric is the master blues guitar hand
always with his back against the wall
yet Eric Clapton stands noble and tall.
Started out over thirty years ago
his guitar style developed blues flow
an second only too late Jimi Hendrix
Eric played with heavy cream mix.
Through the high times and the bad
sometimes feeling crazy and mad
battling wild destructive stardom scene
taking trips both right and wrong dream.
Road to excess leads to wisdom song
although the road is often long
I'm quoting Eric's favourite line
these words that spring to mine.
Having self confessed addictive personality
is Eric's dark blues self analysis key
but today Eric lets his guitar talk
all the way from London to New York.
Doing the prince charity time trust
each and every year is indeed a must
playing regularly London's Albert Hall
Eric stands tall and isn't about to fall.
Admired by every guitar slinger around
Eric's guitar creates the blues sound
with master blues ace calling card
Eric Clapton plays honest and hard.
And the blues is always played real
let's you have honest emotion to feel
singing about love affairs of the heart
blows all our false pretense apart.
Nineties Eric wears his blues mantle proud
playing his guitar notes inspired and loud
with both subtle and heavy born emotion
laying down blues flavour stylish devotion.
Yes Eric Clapton's got the blues
did you pay your dues
whose gonna break the news
yes Eric Clapton's got the blues.
poem by Wayne Falconer
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She's Got The Rhythm
(alan jackson/randy travis)
This old bar stools feeling higher
As a started sinking lower
The minute that she waltzed right through that door
Not long ago i held her
Like a fool i went and left her
Now she's with somebody else out on that floor
And she's got the rhythm and i got the blues
And she's showing me how much i had to lose
With her every little move she's telling me i'm over you
She's got the rhythm and i got the blues
Well that music's gettin' louder
As my heart keeps beatin' faster
As she spells out regret in perfect time
Well i thought i wanted freedom
But that ball and chain i needed
'cause when you choose, sometimes you lose the prize
And she's got the rhythm and i got the blues
And she's showing me how much i had to lose
With her every little move she's telling me i'm over you
She's got the rhythm and i got the blues
With her every little move she's telling me i'm over you
She's got the rhythm and i got the blues
song performed by by Alan Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Talkin Blues
Yeah! oh, yeah! now!
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too; (doo-oo-oo-oo-oo!)
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too. yeah!
Im saying: talkin blues (talkin blues),
Talkin blues (talkin blues);
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Talkin blues (talkin blues), talkin blues (talkin blues):
Your feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Yeah, Ive been down on the rock for so long, (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw; (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Ive been down on the rock for so long, (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw. (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
But-a I - Im gonna stare in the sun,
Let the rays shine in my eyes.
I - Im a gonna take a just-a one step more
cause I feel like bombin a church -
Now - now that you know that the preacher is lyin.
So whos gonna stay at home
When - when the freedom fighters are fighting?
Talkin blues (talkin blues), talkin blues (talkin blues):
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes, woe-oh-oh-oh!
Talkin blues (talkin blues), keep on talkin blues (talkin blues);
They say - you hear what they say -
Didnt you hear?
Cold ground was my bed (bed last night),
Rockstone - rockstone - rockstone was my pillow;
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night),
And rock was my pillow, too.
Sayin: (talkin blues, talkin blues):
I seem to wear a permanent screw - permanent screw.
Talkin blues (talkin blues), talkin blues (talkin blues):
Feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo) /fadeout/
song performed by by Bob Marley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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