Why I Sing the Blues
Echoes of Life's Struggles: Aretha's Melodic Reflections
Lyrics
Everybody wants to know, they've ask me why I sing the blues
Addressing the curiosity of why the singer expresses the blues.
Everybody wants to know now, why I keep crying the blues
Reiterating the inquiry about the reasons behind the blues.
Well, I've been around a little while and I've paid some dues, yes, I have
Reflecting on life experiences and acknowledging hardships endured.
People laying in ghetto flats, cold and numb
Describing the difficult living conditions in impoverished areas.
Looking at roaches, telling bedbugs to move over and give 'em some
Depicting a harsh environment with pests, emphasizing discomfort.
Oh, it's tight in here, that's one reason I'm singing the blues, yeah
Expressing the tight and challenging circumstances contributing to the blues.
Been around a long time, God knows I've paid a few dues, yes, I have
Highlighting the extended duration of facing challenges and hardships.
Stood in line at the County Hall
Recalling experiences waiting in line at bureaucratic institutions.
Heard a man saying "we're gonna build some higher rents for y'all
Quoting a promise to increase rent, adding to the financial burden.
Up in renewal, work on a removal, talk to me, yeah"
Referencing issues related to urban renewal and removal, expressing frustration.
Don't feel bad about it, just trying to be free
Encouraging resilience and not feeling regret for seeking freedom.
Ooh-ooh, I don't want my kids growing up to be no fools
Expressing concern about the future and the desire for children to avoid foolishness.
You keep rapping to me y'all ain't got no room in school, yeah
Criticizing inadequate educational opportunities for children.
And you want to know why I'm singing the blues, yeah
Reiterating the central question of why the singer is experiencing the blues.
Been around a little while and I've seen some people paying dues, yes, I have
Reaffirming the singer's own experience of paying dues over time.
Some of my friends told me I was born to loose
Recalling friends suggesting a destiny of perpetual struggle.
But when I looked around they were singing the same old kind of blues, now
Observing that others share similar struggles and sing the same blues.
And you want to know why I'm singing 'em this evening, yeah?
Prompting the question once more about the motivation behind singing the blues.
Don't be saying those, everybody pays some dues sometimes
Dismissing the notion that challenges are unique, asserting universal dues.
Yeah, sing the blues now
An encouragement to embrace and express the blues as a form of release.
Well I say hey, hey, well I say hey, hey
Repetition of the singer expressing emotions and addressing Lucille, possibly a symbolic figure.
Well I say hey, might be mad as a child today
-Hey, Lucille, Lucille, whoa-whoa
-Hey, Lucille, Lucille, whoa-whoa
-Hey, Lucille, Lucille, whoa-whoa
-Hey, Lucille, Lucille
-Might be mad as a child today
-Whoa-whoa, hey, Lucille, Lucille, whoa-whoa
-Hey, Lucille, Lucille, whoa-whoa
Continuation of emotional expression and reference to Lucille.
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