In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I love my man
I'm a liar if I say I don't
I love my man
I'm a liar if I say I don't
But I'll quit my man
I'm a liar if I say I won't
I've been your slave, baby
Ever since I've been your babe
I've been your slave
Ever since I've been your babe
But before I'll be your dog
I'll see you in your grave
My man wouldn't give me no breakfast
Wouldn't give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn't have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go
I ain't good looking
And my hair ain't curled
I ain't good looking
And my hair ain't curled
But my mother, she gave me something
It's going to carry me through this world
Some men like me 'cause I'm happy
Some 'cause I'm snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I've got money
Some say me Billie
Baby, you're built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs
I'm a liar if I say I don't
I love my man
I'm a liar if I say I don't
But I'll quit my man
I'm a liar if I say I won't
I've been your slave, baby
Ever since I've been your babe
I've been your slave
Ever since I've been your babe
But before I'll be your dog
I'll see you in your grave
My man wouldn't give me no breakfast
Wouldn't give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn't have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go
I ain't good looking
And my hair ain't curled
I ain't good looking
And my hair ain't curled
But my mother, she gave me something
It's going to carry me through this world
Some men like me 'cause I'm happy
Some 'cause I'm snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I've got money
Some say me Billie
Baby, you're built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs
Lyrics submitted by JoKeR4MeNToR
Billie's Blues Lyrics as written by Billie Holiday
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I love this song. Billie is simply amazing. But "Had the dark clay make black spots on my clothes" is the wrong lyric. it's "Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes".
ITA w/ the PP about the lyric correction. i had always thought that line meant that her old man set her clothes on fire, but a friend suggested that her old man sold her clothes for a matchbox of dope. makes sense. that'd sure give me the blues.
ah, this article says he was kicking her out. link: weeklywire.com/ww/03-23-98/austin_cols_ventura.html