San Francisco Bay Blues

Janis Joplin

About San Francisco Bay Blues

"San Francisco Bay Blues" is an American folk song and is generally considered to be the most famous composition by Jesse Fuller. Fuller first recorded the song in 1954 (released 1955) for a small label called World Song. The song was brought into wider popularity in the early 1960s by club performances by Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Bob Dylan, and Jim Kweskin. Recorded covers have been performed by many artists including The Blues Band, Paul Jones, Jim Croce, The Weavers, Sammy Walker, The Brothers Four, The Dapper Dans, Paul Clayton, Richie Havens, Eric Clapton, The Flatlanders, Paul McCartney, Hot Tuna, Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Mungo Jerry, Glenn Yarbrough, George Ellias, Phoebe Snow, The Wave Pictures, The Halifax III and Eva Cassidy. A "one-man band" rendition of the song featuring a kazoo solo was recorded by Fuller himself in a 1962 concert. This has been included in a Smithsonian Folkways compilation, Friends of Old Time Music. Topic Records issued the original Jesse Fuller version on a 10-inch vinyl LP called Working on the Railroad in 1959 and included it as track six of the first CD of the Topic Records 70 year anniversary boxed set Three Score and Ten. 


Year:
1997
1:50
675 

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Got the blues from my baby
Left me by the san francisco bay.
This big ocean liner took her so far away.
Didn't mean to treat her so bad
She was the best girl I ever have had.
She said good-bye, and she made me cry
I'm gonna lay right down and die.

Well, I ain't got a nickel and I ain't got a lousy dime.
If she don't come back I think I'm gonna lose my mind.
If she ever comes back to stay,
Well, that'll be another brand new day,
Walking with my baby down by the san francisco bay.

Sittin' in my back door
Wondering which way to go
That woman I'm so crazy about
She don't love me no more.
Lord, I think I'll grab a freight train
Because I'm feeling blue,
Ride all the way to the end of the line
Thinking only about you.

Well, meanwhile in another city
Just about to go insane
Thought I heard my baby
The way she used called my name.
If she ever comin' back to stay
Well, that'll be another brand new day
Walking with my baby down by the san francisco bay
(I really mean it!)
Oh, walking with my baby down by the san francisco bay, whew!!

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Janis Joplin

Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter. Joplin first rose to prominence in the late 1960s as the lead singer of the psychedelic-acid rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company, and later as a solo artist with her more soulful and bluesy backing groups, The Kozmic Blues Band and The Full Tilt Boogie Band. She was one of the more popular acts at the Monterey Pop Festival and later became one of the major attractions to the Woodstock festival and the Festival Express train tour. more »

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Written by: JESSE FULLER

Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


6 facts about this song

- Song Origin
1. "San Francisco Bay Blues" was originally written by Jesse Fuller in 1954. 2. Despite many famous covers, including by Clapton, Joplin, McCartney and Havens, the song remains closely associated with Jesse Fuller.
- Eric Clapton's Version
1. Eric Clapton's cover of "San Francisco Bay Blues" features in his 1992 album "Unplugged", which received 6 Grammy Awards and sold more than 26 million copies worldwide. 2. Clapton's performance of the song during the MTV Unplugged concert is noticeably influenced by the skiffle style of music.
- Janis Joplin's Version
1. Janis Joplin performed a soulful and more up-tempo version of "San Francisco Bay Blues" during her early career. 2. Despite not being officially recorded on a studio album, various live versions of this song have been released on Joplin's posthumous albums.
- Paul McCartney's Version
1. Former Beatle, Paul McCartney, covered the song and included it in his 1991 live album "Unplugged (The Official Bootleg)." 2. McCartney's version is stripped down, showcasing the song in its original, skiffle-influenced form.
- Richie Havens' Version
1. Richie Havens also recorded a version of "San Francisco Bay Blues," which appeared on his 1987 album "Simple Things." 2. While Havens' version largely stays true to the song's folk origins, his distinctive vocal style and use of open-tuning guitar adds a unique charm.
- Song Influence
1. "San Francisco Bay Blues" is noted for its influence on numerous artists beyond those who covered it. 2. Clapton cited it as instrumental in developing his acoustic fingerstyle technique, while McCartney has stated it was one of the first numbers he learned to play on guitar. 3. The song remains a staple in the folk and blues genres, standing testament to its lasting appeal and enduring influence.

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