Phonograph Blues
Broken Melodies: Robert Johnson's Heartache in Phonograph Blues
Lyrics
Beatrice, she got a phonograph
Beatrice owns a phonograph.
And it won't say a lonesome word
The phonograph remains silent, not expressing loneliness.
Beatrice got a phonograph
Repetition of Beatrice owning a silent phonograph.
But it won't say a lonesome word
Reiteration of the phonograph's silence and questioning what wrong the singer has committed.
What evil have I done?
The singer wonders about the wrongdoing that has caused this situation.
What evil has the poor girl heard?
Questioning what the girl, Beatrice, has heard to make the phonograph silent.
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
Expressing love for the phonograph despite a broken winding chain.
But you broke my windin' chain
Beatrice is blamed for breaking the winding chain.
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
Reaffirming love for the phonograph while lamenting the broken chain.
But you have broke my windin' chain
Beatrice is accused of breaking the winding chain, leading to loss of love.
And you taken my lovin'
Beatrice took the singer's love and gave it to another man.
And you gave it to your other man
Expressing the loss of love and betrayal by Beatrice.
Now we played it on the sofa, now
Playing the phonograph on the sofa and beside the wall.
We played it 'side the wall
Repetition of playing the phonograph in different locations.
My needles have got rusty, baby
Needles are rusty, rendering the phonograph unplayable.
It will not play at all
Emphasizing the non-functionality of the phonograph due to rusty needles.
We played it on the sofa
Repeating the setting of playing the phonograph on the sofa.
And we played it 'side the wall
Repetition of playing the phonograph beside the wall.
But my needles have got rusty
Reiteration of rusty needles causing the phonograph's malfunction.
And it will not play at all
Restating the unplayability of the phonograph due to rusty needles.
Beatrice, I go crazy
The singer declares going crazy because of Beatrice's actions.
Baby, I will lose my mind
Expressing the fear of losing sanity due to emotional distress.
Baby, I go crazy
Reiteration of the emotional turmoil and potential loss of sanity.
Honey, I will lose my mind
Desiring Beatrice to bring back the love and resolve the turmoil.
Why don't you bring your clothes back home
Asking Beatrice to return and give the relationship another chance.
And try me one more time?
Requesting Beatrice to try the relationship once more.
She got a phonograph
Repetition of Beatrice having a silent phonograph.
And it won't say a lonesome word
Reiteration of the phonograph's silence, questioning the wrongdoing.
She got a phonograph
Repetition of Beatrice owning a silent phonograph.
Ooh, won't say a lonesome word
Emphasizing the phonograph's silence and questioning the perceived wrongdoing.
What evil have I done?
Repeated contemplation on the perceived evil committed.
Oh, what evil has the poor girl heard?
Reiteration of questioning what the poor girl, Beatrice, has heard.
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