San Francisco Bay Blues

Eric Clapton

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:
1992
268 

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I got the blues from my baby left me by the San Francisco Bay,
The ocean liner's gone so far away.
Didn't mean to treat her so bad, she was the best girl I ever have had,
She said goodbye, I can take a cry, I want to lay down and die.

I ain't got a nickel and I ain't got a lousy dime.
She don't come back, think I'm going to lose my mind.
If she ever gets back to stay, it's going to be another brand new day,
Walking with my baby down by the San Francisco Bay.

Sitting down looking from my back door, wondering which way to go,
The woman I'm so crazy about, she don't love me no more.
Think I'll catch me a freight train, 'cause I'm feeling blue,
And ride all the way to the end of the line, thinking only of you.

Meanwhile, in another city, just about to go insane,
Thought I heard my baby, Lord, the way she used to call my name.
If I ever get her back to stay, it's going to be another brand new day,
Walking with my baby down by the San Francisco Bay.

Walking with my baby down by the San Francisco Bay.
Walking with my baby down by the San Francisco Bay.

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Eric Clapton

Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's Top 50 Guitarists of All Time. 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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