Ain't No Good Life

Album: Street Survivors (1977)
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  • Ain't no good life
    Not the one that I lead
    'Cause the more I fight the sadness, yeah
    It only seems the more that I grieve
    Well, I look back on the good times
    As some lost part of me
    I want to know, tell me why is it so
    Well, just because I don't pray
    Lord, that don't mean I ain't forgiven
    Just 'cause I'm alive
    That don't mean I'm makin' a livin'

    I'm gonna get myself together
    I'm gonna try a dyin' attempt
    Talkin' about the good times slippin' by
    Yeah, I tell ya
    I don't even know where last month went
    Well, I can't make no money baby
    Well, 'cause my money's already spent
    And I know where it went
    I said it went on that damn rent
    Well, I don't mean change, baby
    I mean foldin' money
    Well, I want a lover, said I don't need a buddy
    I don't need no buddy, now

    Ain't exactly my idea
    Its sort of old, borrowed and blue
    Just tryin' to say
    Don't try that straight life buddy
    Oh, you'll find it kind of hard on you
    Well, don't try to cook nothin' up, ooh
    Brother you know you'll only wind up in your own stew
    Just don't let nobody tell you, oh what you oughta do Writer/s: Steve Gaines
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

  • Mary KateThis is a song warning men about getting married. The line "old borrowed and blue" and "Woman don't try to cook nothin' up, Brother you know you'll only wind up in your own stew"
  • Paul from UkThe original studio version of Aint No Good Life also had the Honkettes featured on it. Sometime between the original version and the early 1977 live versions, and the version re recorded and finally released on the Street Survivors album the Honkettes backing was dropped. Would be interested to know why as personally i think the earlier version was better
  • Wirenut from Corydon Kysteve gaines was a perfect fit for skynyrd. Their accents, attitudes , and style was definitely the truest representation of southern boys ever to hit the industry. Ronnie had so much soul. Lynyrd Skynyrd will always be very close to my heart.
  • Chuck from Winona MnIn case you wanna hear the version with the Honkettes it’s out on You Tube after a interview with Gary talking about Steve.
  • Chuck from Wirtz, VaSteve Gaines WAS the first vocalist to perform the song Ain't No Good Life on an album without lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant. Ricky Medlocke did not appear until 1978 on a Lynyrd Skynyrd Album. Street Survivors was produced before the First and Last album.
  • Zap from Zaplandia, CtThis is in fact NOT the first song ever recorded by Skynyrd to feature someone other than Ronnie on vocals. Rickey Medlocke, sings "Seasons" and "White Dove" on Skynyrd's "First & Last" album. While released after "Street Survivors", it was recorded MANY years earlier.

    Also, the part about Cassie having been "part of a group called The Honkettes, before they got absorbed into Lynyrd Skynyrd" this is also untrue. The "Honkettes" were created by Skynyrd as part of the band.
  • Dan from Houston, Txit was said by Ronnie to all the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd that someday we would be second fiddle to steve gaines
  • Randy W from Atlanta, GaDefinite departure from the traditional Skynyrd style.
  • Justin from Belle, WvDrummer Artimus Pyle later stated that Ronnie had so much confidence in Steve that he would leave the stage as Steve took front and center and sang this song. Another interesting fact about the song is that when played live, the song featured The Honkettes (including Steve's sister Cassie) singing backup. However the Honkettes are absent from the studio version of the song.
  • Jeanette from Mcgrady, NcSteve brought new life to the Skynyrd band. He was an accomplished muscician in his own right before he joined the music men from Florida.
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