Cream did a great version of this song but the original is brilliant. I found it a little incongruous that Albert King was signed to Stax. It was like melding Soul and Blues. But it worked. I don’t usually like Blues with a brass section but that guitar playing…..
The song has a mixture of reality with an addition of humour. Great stuff. Some great lyrics.
Albert King – Born Under A Bad Sign Lyrics
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn’t for bad luck, 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
I been down since I begin 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
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all
I ain’t lyin’
If it wasn’t for bad luck I wouldn’t have no kind-a luck
If it wasn’t for real bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all
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