Empty Bed Blues Lyrics

Lyric discussion by gordonbonk 

Cover art for Empty Bed Blues lyrics by Bessie Smith

This song is about oral sex. "He's a deep sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong, he can stay at the bottom and his wind holds out so long" - he's so good at it, he can lick and suck for hours without ever running out of breath. She's really thrilled by his lovin', so thrilled in fact she goes and blabs to her friend Lou. Lou likes what she hears and goes and has herself some of that deep sea divin' too, and she raves about it. Her new man leaves her. Lesson learnt: if you find a good lover, don't go run your mouth to your girlfriends.

Song Meaning