Louis Armstrong doing "Black and Blue". The DJs never call him Louie, always Louis.
"Black & Blue"
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
Feels like ol' Ned wished I was dead
What did I do to be so black and blue
Even the mouse ran from my house
They laugh at you and scorn you too
What did I do to be so black and blue
I'm white inside but that don't help my case
'Cause I can't hide what is in my face
How would it end, ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue
How would it end, ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue
Feels like ol' Ned wished I was dead
What did I do to be so black and blue
Even the mouse ran from my house
They laugh at you and scorn you too
What did I do to be so black and blue
I'm white inside but that don't help my case
'Cause I can't hide what is in my face
How would it end, ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue
How would it end, ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue
"Black and Blue" was composed by Fats Waller with lyrics by Harry Brooks and also by Andy Razaf in 1929. I looked up Ol' Ned and found that it is an old-fashioned euphemism for the devil.
And Sam Cooke singing "A Change Is Gonna Come" which he wrote in 1964.
"A Change Is Gonna Come"
I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
Then I go to my brother
And I say, "Brother, help me please"
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees
There've been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
Oh, and just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
Then I go to my brother
And I say, "Brother, help me please"
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees
There've been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
I have a couple of CDs with Sam Cooke's music and love his voice!
ReplyDeleteTwo great talents, both long gone.
Yes, they were.
DeleteI've always loved that Sam Cooke song. I listened to it again just now and came out in goosebumps.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting it.
Just as valid today as ever. So sad.
DeleteThe lyrics to "Black and Blue" are devastatingly sad, aren't they? I'm a longtime fan of the blues because I think it's one of the most honest and emotional forms of music there is. This is a great performance of that classic song.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. Usually we see LA cheery and bubbly but in this one, his solemnity is right there.
DeleteI was listening to NPR today and they were interviewing a lady that sings choral songs about change. It was a good interview. I was driving in heavy traffic listening so I can't tell you her name. But the songs they highlighted were good too.
ReplyDeleteI looked around NPR for a bit, but couldn't find it.
DeleteSuch great music, Nan, but so sad that they are both still so relevant.
ReplyDelete