Say It Ain't So Joe Lyrics

Lyric discussion by kevdog716 

Cover art for Say It Ain't So Joe lyrics by Murray Head

I believe this hauntingly powerful song is about Shoeless Joe Jackson who played for the White Sox. He was a tremendously talented outfielder who was supposedly involved in the "Black Sox" scandal in the 1919 World Series when several of the White Sox were indited for throwing a game.

Outside of the courthouse where the trial was being held a young boy came up to Joe and infamously said "Say it ain't so Joe." Shoeless Joe reportedly just turned away without uttering a word.

Roger Daltrey did an outstanding cover of this song in 1977 on his solo "One of the Boys" album. Check it out.

Song Meaning