Friday, June 11, 2004

Got The Blues?

Possibly in honor of Ray Charles' death, the good Dr. Omed has posted the lyrics of "Black Hat Blues". He and I can have a side discussion on who, exactly, wrote this song, but it's a fun read. See if you can guess the plot (such as it is).

Along the same lines, I offer the lyrics to "I Get the Blues", which Dr. Omed & I indisputably did co-write. My memory is he wrote the first two verses, and I wrote everything else. But we are all familiar with the fluid nature of memory, if not personality....
I Get the Blues

I get the blues
Goin' home to empty rooms.
I get the blues —
It's nothing new.
When I have to face
That empty space, oohh,
I get the blues.

I get the blues
Just like you,
But I try
Not to think of you.
It's a harmonica wire
The wind is playin'
Oohh, I get the blues.

You just try to survive
In these perilous days & times,
You just try to get by
And you're bound to get the blues.

I get the blues
With my first cigarette
And the memories
That drive me back.
A six of beer
Or a pint of gin
Go away, I'll just drink
A quart of pure blues.

I get the blues
When I see you go by;
I get the blues,
How hard I try
To hold back tears
That I can't share
Oh, I swear, I got the blues.

You just try to get by
In these inflationary days & times.
You just try to survive,
And you're bound to get the blues.

I get the blues
Goin' home to empty rooms.
I get the blues —
It's nothing new.
When I have to face
That lonely space, oohh,
I get the blues.
© ~1985, jac & Dr. Omed
My favorite line is "It's a harmonica wire the wind is playing," which Dr. Omed wrote. Once upon a time, the good Doctor said his favorite line was "I get the blues / with my first cigarette," which I wrote.

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