Blues Lyrics of the Week: I Gave Up Everything for You, ‘cept the Blues

Here’s one we mentioned in last week’s review of blues-rocker Joe Bonamassa‘s latest release Different Shades of Blue, a down-and-dirty shuffle featuring doo-wop background vocals as well as some nice work on horns and keyboard – the latter courtesy of Reese Wynans (Double Trouble) – in addition to a bit of scorching guitar from Bonamassa.

“Put down that two-pack habit yesterday,
threw that shot glass just to watch it break.
My whiskey bottle turned upside down in the drain,
Those wild women, that’s a whole ‘nother thing.
I gave up everything, babe,
I gave up everything for you.
I got nothin’ left to lose,
I gave up everything for you,
‘cept the blues.

Went on a diet, yea, I’m eatin’ good.
Gave up the things you said I should.
Fit as a fiddle, girl, I lost ten pounds.
So why am I so damn down?
Gave up everything now,
I gave up everything for you.
I got nothin’ left to lose,
I gave up everything for you,
‘cept the blues.

Put out the reefer, no more gettin’ stoned.
Traded my fast car for a motor home.
Took all my demons, put ’em in a sack.
How come I still feel there’s a monkey on my back?
I gave up everything, babe,
I gave up everything for you.
I got nothin’ left to lose,
I gave up everything for you,
‘cept the blues.”
– “I Gave Up Everything for You, ‘cept the Blues,” Joe Bonamassa, Jerry Flowers & Jeffrey Steele

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