Born Under a Bad Sign

Albert King

About Born Under a Bad Sign

"Born Under a Bad Sign" is a blues song recorded by American blues singer and guitarist Albert King in 1967. Called "a timeless staple of the blues", the song also had strong crossover appeal to the rock audience with its synchronous bass and guitar lines and topical astrology reference. "Born Under a Bad Sign" became an R&B chart hit for King and numerous blues and other musicians have made it perhaps the most recorded Albert King song.


Year:
2003
2:48
85 
#2

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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

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Albert King

Albert King (April 25, 1923 – December 21, 1992) was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing. more »

6 fans

Written by: BOOKER T. JONES, WILLIAM BELL

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Release Date
"Born Under a Bad Sign" was released by Albert King in 1967.
Genre
The song is classified under the Blues genre, typically described as a combination of soul and rhythm and blues.
Songwriters
"Born Under a Bad Sign" was penned by two legendary songwriters from Stax Records - William Bell, a successful soul singer and songwriter, and Booker T. Jones, an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer.
Famous Cover Version
Renowned British Rock band, Cream, covered "Born Under A Bad Sign" in their album "Wheels of Fire" in 1968, just a year after the original release.
Leitmotif
The song is considered as one of the defining recordings of the soul blues genre with its frequent references to astrological themes.
Awards
In 1993, Albert King's recording of "Born Under a Bad Sign" was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
Subject Matter
The song expresses a lifetime of bad luck and trouble, captured in its famous lyric: "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all."
Popularity
Despite its initial moderate success, the song gained wide recognition over time and is now considered one of the most popular Blues songs.
Album of the Same Name
Albert King’s second album, released in 1967, is also called "Born Under A Bad Sign" and the title track is one of its standouts.
Influence
"Born Under A Bad Sign" has been acknowledged as a significant influence in the world of blues, with the song being covered by numerous other artists and bands over the years.
Signature Style
The song stands as a representation of King’s signature style, featuring his deep, characteristic vocals and powerful guitar riffs.

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