Born Under A Bad Sign

Album: Born Under A Bad Sign (1967)
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  • Born under a bad sign
    Been down since I began to crawl
    If it wasn't for bad luck, you know I wouldn't have no luck at all

    Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
    I been on my own ever since I was ten
    Born under a bad sign
    Been down since I began to crawl
    If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

    I can't read, haven't learned how to write
    My whole life has been one big fight
    Born under a bad sign
    I been down since I began to crawl
    If it wasn't for bad luck, I said, I wouldn't have no luck at all

    That ain't no lie
    You know if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind o' luck
    If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

    You know wine and women is all I crave
    A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave
    Born under a bad sign
    I been down since I begin to crawl
    If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

    Yeah, my bad luck boy
    Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes Writer/s: Booker T Jones, William Bell
    Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • John Parker from Grayson, GeorgiaPat Travers Band covered this song on the "Crash and Burn" album in 1980.
  • Ani from Yerevan, ArmeniaGary Moore has a song devoted to Albert King - "King of the blues" (from "Still got the blues" album". In this song he refers to the song "Born under a bad sign" as well saying:
    "He's a Hunter with a Crosscut Saw.
    Born Under A Bad Sign." ("Crosscut Saw" is also a song of A. King"). Gary Has covered several songs of Albert King, e.g. "The sky is crying".
  • Jeff from Phila., PaThere's a band called The Brakes that does an incredible cover of this song.

  • Blues from Dundas, CanadaHis name is Albert Nelson not RIley
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI have not heard Albert King's version, but I think Cream's version is great!
  • Martijn from Helmond, NetherlandsAlbert King was also a huge influence on the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. He played a Gibson Flying V, an unusual sort of choice for a blues player, with the strings 'upside down' (i.e. the lowest string at the bottom). He named himself after BB King and his guitar ('Lucy') after BB's Lucille. His real name was Albert Riley.
  • Yoshiharu from Osaka, JapanI've been wrongly believed that this song was influenced by BB King's "The Thrill is gone".
    But in reality,BB's was in 1970.
  • Logan from Abilene, TxJimi Hendrix's estate also release a posthumous version of this song on the "Blues" album. It's an instrumental Hendrix take on the song, and just blows me away. Check it out.
  • Horace from Western, MdThe title is used as a lyric within A3's Sopranos Theme Song "Woke Up This Morning" ("Born Under a Bad Sign with a Blue Moon in your eye")
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