Stormy Monday

Album: Stormy Monday (1947)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Stormy Monday," originally "Call It Stormy Monday," was written and recorded by T-Bone Walker in 1947 and released as a single on the label Black & White. It's about a guy who is tormented every day of the week as he prays to have his girl return.
  • This song has become a Blues standard, covered most famously by The Allman Brothers Band in 1971, but also recorded by B.B. King, Jethro Tull, Count Basie, Bobby Blue Bland, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Freddy Fender, Buddy Guy, Roberta Flack, The Jackson 5, Albert King, Etta James, Freddie King, Gary Moore and Leslie West. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Victoria, B.C., Canada, for above 2
  • Van Morrison covered this for his 2017 Roll With The Punches album, singing it as a melody with "Lonely Avenue." The Irishman told Uncut that he has had a long association with the song.

    "That would be 1963 when I first heard that. Bobby "Blue" Bland. I never heard the T-Bone Walker version until later. Hearing that song was a pivotal moment for me. There was a black GI who brought a 45 over from America. He was in the army and he played that song for me. It was one of those Eureka moments. It probably changed everything."

Comments: 6

  • Trish from Birmingham, AlStevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King recorded the best version I’ve ever heard. Allman Brothers close second.
  • Bink from San AntonioLeslie West's version ROCKS
  • Richard from Hialeah, Fl I haven't heard all the versions of this song but Lee Michaels take, in my opinion, would be hard to beat----His Hammond organ, along with Frosty's drums, is incredible----Hard to believe his name is not on that list.........
  • Ned from Falls Church, VaThe most hauntingly beautiful blues song ever. The Allman Brothers verison trumps all. Gregg nails it & Dickey/Duane guitar work is sensational; no one does pentatonic scale more emotionally (BB King once said of Duane: "That fellow get's it") or with more emphasis. Clapton come close but it's number 3. Who is number 2? A guy on YouTube. See for yourself. He explains the mechanics of the song and then play's it so well, it's very clear he "get's it".
  • Mike from Bloomington, IlWhat Joe said. Stevie Ray Vaughan with Albert King, on the album In Session.
  • Joe from Rocky Ridge, MdAlso recorded by Stevie Ray Vaughan.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

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.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.