How Blue Can You Get by B.B. King (Live Performance)
Clip from “Sing Sing Prison Concert!”
This is a recording of a 1972 Thanksgiving Day concert in New York’s Sing Sing prison. Initiated by a group of prison inmates, the show features B. B. King, Joan Baez, Mimi Farina, the Voices of East Harlem, and comedian Jimmy Walker. The performances are short but powerful. As important as the performances, though, are the insights that the movie provides into the lives of the inmates and the operation of the prison itself. It includes interviews with inmates, employees, and performers, and so provides several different viewpoints of the same sad situation. More than entertainment, the movie is also an education.
Lyrics:
I’ve been down hearted baby
Ever since the day we met
I said I’ve been down hearted baby
Ever since the day we met
Our love is nothing but the blues, woman
Baby, how blue can you get?
You’re evil when I’m with you, baby
And you’re jealous when we’re apart
I said You’re evil when I’m with you, baby
And you’re jealous when we’re apart
How blue can you get baby
The answer is right here in my heart
I gave you a brand new Ford
But you said: I want a Cadillac
I bought you a ten dollar dinner
And you said: thanks for the snack
I let you live in my pent house
You said it just a shack
I gave seven children
And now you wanna give them back
I said I’ve been down hearted baby
Ever since the day we met
Our love is nothing but the blues
Baby, how blue can you get?
Songwriters: Jack Clement
How Blue Can You Get? lyrics © Hall Clement Publishing, Kobalt Music Pub America O/b/o Air Edel Associates, Ltd, Jack Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Pub America Obo Modern Age Music Company
