Why I Sing the Blues

Album: Why I Sing the Blues (1983)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In his Foreword to the Helen Oakley Dance biography of T-Bone Walker, B.B. King writes: "In my 'Why I Sing the Blues,' I end up:

    And everybody wants to know why I sing the blues
    Well, I've been around a long time, I've really paid my dues


    Meaning there's all kind of trouble in life, and a heap of blues artist were needed to keep track of all that."
  • Co-written by King and music promoter Dave Clark (1909-95) - who is not to be confused with the drummer Dave Clark - this is the title track of his 1983 MCA album, and runs to 8 minutes 38 seconds. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 2

  • Martin Walsh from Brooklyn, NyWho played bass on this song?
  • Gerard from Toulouse, FranceReally remarkable lyrics, I realize I'd never heard the full version, especially as Aretha delivers a much shortened - though brilliant - rendering. May I dare suggest an addenda to Dylan's "Blowing in the Wind", a few lines that would say - in a much much better way: How many times must a Black Man sing the Blues, before the full story is told... (and remembered by 100% Americans...). Greetings to you all from another Deep South across the Atlantic
see more comments

Editor's Picks

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.