Born Under A Bad Sign

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

Is the Albert King version of "Born Under A Bad Sign" on Stax the definitive version?

Anyone know any other songs with the lyrics, "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all"?

Thanks for research help.

[Alan Balfour]

Is the Albert King version of "Born Under A Bad Sign" on Stax the definitive version?

The only other African American to record it around that time was Big Mama Thornton in 1969. Albert recorded two versions in 1968 followed by a futher six versions between 1975 and 1982 for various labels. Beyond that I don't know.

But I might have misunderstood the question. I'm renowned for that!

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

That's an interesting and useful reply — even if it does complicate my thinking. Thank you, Alan.

[Gordon Neill]

Lightnin' Slim did a song called, would you believe, 'Bad Luck'. I'm certain that it contains the "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all" line. It came out in 1954, which I think predates Albert King's song by at least a decade. While I can't remember any other songs at the moment, I'm very, very confident that this is a line that has been regularly recycled by many bluesmen.

As for covers of 'Born Under A Bad Sign', I still like the version by Cream. It was the first one that I heard, and I think it's fab. So there. [insert emoticon with tongue sticking out in a non-threatening slightly mischevious manner].

[Ted]

I'm certainI still like the version by Cream. It was the first one that I heard, and I think it's fab.

You're getting very bold now Adam's not here to sort you out aren't you Gordon?

[Alan Balfour]

Lightnin' Slim did a song called, would you believe, 'Bad Luck'. I'm certain that it contains the "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all" line. It came out in 1954, which I think predates Albert King's song by at least a decade. While I can't remember any other songs at the moment, I'm very, very confident that this is a line that has been regularly recycled by many bluesmen.

Oh that phrase goes back to the 20s and if I can find the time I'll listen to the various "bad luck blues" and list those containing it. Did I hear the comment "Get a life, Balfour, get a life"?

[Gordon Neill]

Alan asked:

Did I hear the comment "Get a life, Balfour, get a life"?

Sorry, I think it was me. I was quietly confident that a Balfour list would appear at some point today. I was trying to keep my voice low, but kept mattering all day 'Get a move on, Balfour, get a move on'.

But good to hear my dodgy memories being confirmed. I've long had a suspicion that all blues lyrics are permutations of about 12 different lines.

[davidt]

Don't miss the William Bell version for an up tempo soul take on the tune.

I was hoping he'd sing this when he came on at the Barbican during Stax night a couple of years back, but sadly he didn't.

David Thomas

[felonious munk]

William Bell (and Booker T)wrote it for Albert King but Bell recorded his own version a few years later.

Acciording to Wikipedia these artists also covered the song

1. Cream
2. Dimebag Darrell and Doug Pinnick
3. Jack Bruce
4. Jimi Hendrix (Instrumental)
5. MDC
6. Pat Travers
7. Paul Butterfield Blues Band
8. Paul Rodgers
9. Richard Hawley
10. Robben Ford
11. The Smashing Pumpkins and Billy Corgan
12. The MC5
13. Tommy Bolin
14. Umphrey's McGee

[Neil Foxlee]

And while we're on the subject of bad luck tunes, let's not forget Eddie Boyd's Third Degree (Chess), with lines like (from memory) "They got me accused of forgery / I can't even write my name". (If you haven't heard it - and you should - you'll just have to imagine the emphasis placed on the second line, like the punch line of a (bad) joke. Must have brought the house down live...)

PS here's the full monty (which seems a bit anti-climactic):

(Eddie Boyd and Willie Dixon)

Got me accused of peeping,
I can't see a thing.
Got me accused of petting,
I can't even raise my hand.

[Chorus:]
Bad luck,
Bad luck is killing me.
Well I just can't stand no more of this third degree.

Got me accused of murder,
I ain't harmed a man.
Got me accused of forgery,
I can't even write my name.

[Chorus]

Got me accused of taxes,
I ain't got a dime.
Got me accused of children
And ain't nary one of them was mine.

[Chorus]