Five Long Years
Eddie Boyd
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Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm talking about. Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm talking about. I worked five long years for one woman, she had the nerve to put me out. I got a job in a steel mill, shucking steel like a slave. Five long years, every Friday I come straight back home with all my pay. Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm talking about. I worked five long years for one woman, she had the nerve to put me out. I finally learned my lesson, should a long time ago. The next woman that I marry, she gonna work and bring me the dough. Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm talking about. I worked five long years for one woman, she had the nerve, She had the nerve, She had the nerve, She had the nerve to put me out.
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
10 facts about this song
History"Five Long Years" was written and recorded by legendary blues musician Eddie Boyd in 1952.
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OriginDespite being commonly associated with Chicago blues, Eddie Boyd was originally from the Mississippi Delta, and he brought those influences into "Five Long Years".
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PopularityThe song became Boyd's most popular hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
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InfluencesThe song's lyrics were partly influenced by Boyd's own experiences working in a foundry for five years, which he hated, reflecting the hardships often depicted in blues music.
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ReceptionSince its release, the song has been recognized as a blues classic, due to its raw emotion and compelling narrative about love and heartbreak.
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Cover VersionsOver the years, a number of renowned artists have covered "Five Long Years", including the likes of B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Buddy Guy, highlighting the song's enduring influence in blues and rock music.
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Eric Clapton's VersionWhen Eric Clapton covered the song for his 1994 album "From the Cradle," it garnered a Grammy Award, illustrating the lasting appeal of Boyd's creation.
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Buddy Guy’s VersionIn 1991, Buddy Guy recorded a smoldering seven-minute rendition of "Five Long Years" for his album "Damn Right, I've Got the Blues", which won the Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 1992 Grammy Awards.
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Death of Eddie BoydDespite the success of "Five Long Years", Eddie Boyd died in relative obscurity in 1994, similar to many other blues pioneers.
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LegacyAlthough Eddie Boyd may not have achieved the commercial success he deserved during his lifetime, "Five Long Years" remains a testament to his talent and is still played and enjoyed to this day.
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Citation
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"Five Long Years Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32795072/Eddie+Boyd/Five+Long+Years>.
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