Killing Floor

Album: The Real Folk Blues (1965)
Play Video
  • I should have quit you, a long time ago
    I should have quit you, babe, long time ago
    I should have quit you, and went on to Mexico
    If I had-a followed my first mind
    If I had-a followed my first mind
    I'd been gone, since my second time

    I shoulda went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me
    I shoulda went on, when my friend come from Mexico at me
    But no, I was foolin' with ya, baby, I let ya put me on the killin' floor
    Lord knows, I shoulda been gone
    Lord knows, I shoulda been gone
    And I wouldn't have been here, down on the killin' floor
    Yeah Writer/s: Chester Burnett
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • James B from Las Vegas, NevadaI guess I missed the meaning of the title of this classic blues tune by some margin. I thought that “killing floor” was slang for death row in prison. I thought that, instead of getting out of the relationship when he could have and should have, he stayed in it and became so frustrated and angry that he eventually killed the woman in a fit of rage and ended up with a death sentence. I thought that my take on the tune’s meaning was consistent with the tragic stories about relationships that blues tunes described.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.