Story Behind The Song
A song written from a title that came to me walking my dog. My co-writer had all he needed to compose this historical blues lesson.
Song Description
Among the many reasons to sing the blues is the fact that blues has a long and storied history.
| Song Length |
6:05 |
Genre |
Blues - Rock, Rap - Dirty South |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Duet Male |
| Mood |
Glad |
Subject |
Pride, Philosophy |
| Similar Artists |
Greg Allman, Warren Haynes |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
WHY I CHOOSE TO SING THE BLUES
IF YOU BEEN TO MISSISSIPPI
AT THE CROSSROADS IN THE RAIN,
HEARD A WAILIN' ON THE WIND
YOU SWEAR WAS CALLIN' OUT YOUR NAME.
THE CRY OF ROBERT JOHNSON
WITH THE FIRE AT HIS HEELS.
WELL I HEAR IT EVERY DAY NOW
AND I KNOW JUST HOW IT FEELS
AND SINCE IT HIT ME,
IT'S BEEN WITH ME
IT'S SOMETHIN' YOU CAN'T LOSE.
IT CAN'T ESCAPE ME
THIS THING THAT SHAPE ME
IT'S WHY I CHOOSE TO SING THE BLUES.
AND IF YOU MAKE IT UP TO MEMPHIS,
TO THAT CORNER OFFA BEALE,
WHERE THE GHOST OF JUNIOR PARKER
BRAGS HE WAS HER DRIVIN' WHEEL,
AND CRACKLIN' THROUGH FROM ARKANSAS,
THAT OLD KING BISCUIT SHOW,
YOU HEAR RICE MILLER TALKIN',
TELLIN' EVERYTHING HE KNOW.
AND YOU EMBRACE IT
TIL YOU CAN TASTE IT.
AND LIKE THE NITRO MEETS THE FUSE,
THAT COMBUSTION'S
YOUR INTRODUCTION
TO WHY I CHOOSE TO SING THE BLUES
IT'S IN THE TEARS OF ELMORE JAMES
AND HOW THE WOLF COULD HOWL TIL DAWN
IT'S IN THE WAY KOKO TAYLOR
PITCHED HER WANG DANG DOODLE ALL NIGHT LONG
IT'S IN THE DRONE OF BUKKA WHITE
IT'S IN THE BOOGIE OF JOHN LEE
IT'S IN THE SINS OF OLD SON HOUSE
AND IT'S ALL ROLLED UP IN ME.
AND WHEN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
STOP AT MICHIGAN AND TWELFTH
AND THE STEPS OF MUDDY WATERS
ARE THERE TO TRACE EM FOR YOURSELF,
ON DOWN TO 43RD STREET
AND LAKE PARK AVENUE
WHERE THE SONGS OF WILLIE DIXON
TURNED THE WINDY CITY BLUE.
AND YOUR BLOOD STARTS A-PERKIN',
YOUR MOJO'S A-WORKIN'
AND YOU ADD UP ALL THE CLUES
IT AIN'T NO MYSTERY
HOW ALL THIS HISTORY
IS WHY I CHOOSE TO SING THE BLUES.