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| album = [[Born Under a Bad Sign]]
| album = [[Born Under a Bad Sign]]
| released = {{Start date|1967}}
| released = {{Start date|1967}}
| recorded = May 17, 1967
| recorded = May 17, 1967<ref>
{{Cite AV media notes
| year = 1989
| title = [[King of the Blues Guitar]]
| type = CD reissue liner notes
| others = [[Albert King]]
| location = New York City
| publisher = [[Atlantic Records]]
| id = 8213-2
| page = 1
}}</ref>
| studio = Stax, Memphis, Tennessee
| studio = Stax, Memphis, Tennessee
| genre = [[Soul blues]]
| genre = [[Soul blues]]
Line 16: Line 26:
| lyricist = [[William Bell (singer)|William Bell]]
| lyricist = [[William Bell (singer)|William Bell]]
}}
}}

"'''Born Under a Bad Sign'''" is a [[blues]] song recorded by American blues singer and guitarist [[Albert King]] in 1967. Called "a timeless staple of the blues",<ref name="O'Neal">
"'''Born Under a Bad Sign'''" is a [[blues]] song recorded by American blues singer and guitarist [[Albert King]] in 1967. Called "a timeless staple of the blues",<ref name="O'Neal">
{{cite web
{{cite web
Line 31: Line 40:
| last = Palmer
| last = Palmer
| first = Robert
| first = Robert
| author-link = Robert Palmer (writer)
| author-link = Robert Palmer (American writer)
| title = Deep Blues
| title = Deep Blues
| year = 1982
| year = 1982
Line 51: Line 60:
| publisher = Music Sales Group
| publisher = Music Sales Group
| pages = 126–127
| pages = 126–127
}}</ref>
}}</ref> The lyrics describe "hard luck and trouble" tempered by "wine and women", with wordplay in the chorus in the turnaround:

The lyrics describe "hard luck and trouble" tempered by "wine and women", with wordplay in the chorus in the turnaround:
{{poemquote|Born under a bad sign, been down since I began to crawl
{{poemquote|Born under a bad sign, been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all}}
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all}}
Similar verses appear in earlier songs. In 1947, pianist and singer [[Cousin Joe]] recorded "Bad Luck Blues" with the [[Sammy Price|Sam Price Trio]], which contains the lyrics "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all".<ref>
[[Lightnin' Slim]]'s 1954 [[swamp blues]] song "Bad Luck Blues" contains some similar lyrics:
{{Cite book
{{poemquote|Lord, if it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all (2×)
| last1 = Joseph
You know bad luck has been followin' poor Lightnin', ever since I began to crawl
| first1 = Pleasant "Cousin Joe"
}}
| author-link1 = Cousin Joe
| last2 = Ottenheimer
| first2 = Harriet J.
| year = 2012
| title = Cousin Joe: Blues from New Orleans
| location = Gretna, Louisiana
| publisher = [[Pelican Publishing]]
| isbn = 978-1455615438
| pages = 96, 205
}}</ref> [[Lightnin' Slim]]'s 1954 [[swamp blues]] recording of "Bad Luck Blues" contains the same lines and also includes "Cause bad luck's been followin' po' Lightnin', ever since I began to crawl".<ref>
{{Cite book
| last = Broven
| first = John
| author-link = John Broven
| year = 1992
| title = South to Louisiana: The Music of the Bayous
| location = Gretna, Louisiana
| publisher = [[Pelican Publishing]]
| isbn = 0-88289-608-3
| page = 122
}}</ref>

Jones's arrangement for the song does not follow the typical [[twelve-bar blues]] I-IV-V progression. Rather, it is dominated by an R&B-style bass/rhythm guitar line, which Bell claimed that he came up with "while fooling around on the guitar".<ref name="Bowman"/> Albert King provided his signature guitar fills around his vocals and solos during the break and outro, with backing by Booker T. & the M.G.'s and [[the Memphis Horns]].
Jones's arrangement for the song does not follow the typical [[twelve-bar blues]] I-IV-V progression. Rather, it is dominated by an R&B-style bass/rhythm guitar line, which Bell claimed that he came up with "while fooling around on the guitar".<ref name="Bowman"/> Albert King provided his signature guitar fills around his vocals and solos during the break and outro, with backing by Booker T. & the M.G.'s and [[the Memphis Horns]].


Line 72: Line 105:
| page = [https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whit/page/238 238]
| page = [https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whit/page/238 238]
| url = https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whit/page/238
| url = https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstop00whit/page/238
}}</ref> It was later included on his first album for Stax, also titled ''[[Born Under a Bad Sign]]''. The album's cover depicts images of "[[List of bad luck signs|bad luck signs]]" or common [[superstition]]s, including a [[black cat]], a [[Friday the 13th]] calendar page, [[Skull and crossbones (Spanish cemetery)|skull and crossbones]], [[ace of spades]], and [[Craps#Names of rolls|snake eyes]]. Subsequently, the song has appeared on numerous King and various artist collections.
}}</ref> It was later included on his first album for Stax, also titled ''[[Born Under a Bad Sign]]''. The album's cover depicts images of "[[List of bad luck signs|bad luck signs]]" or common [[superstition]]s, including a [[black cat]], a [[Friday the 13th]] calendar page, [[Skull and crossbones (Spanish cemetery)|skull and crossbones]], [[ace of spades]], and [[Craps#Names of rolls|snake eyes]]. Subsequently, the song has appeared on numerous King and various artist collections.<ref>
{{Cite web
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/song/born-under-a-bad-sign-mt0008573248
| title = Albert King: 'Born Under a Bad Sign'{{snd}}Appears On
| website = [[AllMusic]]
| access-date = September 7, 2022
}}</ref>

Albert King recorded an updated version of "Born Under a Bad Sign" with producer [[Allen Toussaint]] for his 1978 ''New Orleans Heat'' album.<ref>
{{Cite web
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/new-orleans-heat-mw0000650356
| last = Dahl
| first = Bill
| title = Albert King: ''New Orleans Heat''{{snd}}Review
| website = [[AllMusic]]
| access-date = September 7, 2022
}}</ref> Live versions are included on ''[[Wednesday Night in San Francisco]]'', ''Chicago 1978'', ''[[In Session (Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan album)|In Session]]'' with [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]], ''The Godfather of the Blues: His Last European Tour 1992'', and ''Talkin' Blues'' (see [[Albert King discography]] for album details).


Co-writers William Bell (1969 ''Bound to Happen'') and Booker T. Jones (1968 ''[[Soul Limbo]]'') each recorded the song.<ref>
Albert King recorded an updated version of "Born Under a Bad Sign" with producer [[Allen Toussaint]] for his 1978 ''New Orleans Heat'' album. Live versions are included on ''[[Wednesday Night in San Francisco]]'', ''Chicago 1978'', ''[[In Session (Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan album)|In Session]]'' with [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]], ''The Godfather of the Blues: His Last European Tour 1992'', and ''Talkin' Blues'' (see [[Albert King discography]] for album details).
{{Cite web
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/song/born-under-a-bad-sign-mt0004978020/also-performed-by
| title = 'Born Under a Bad Sign'{{snd}}Also Performed By
| website = [[AllMusic]]
| access-date = September 7, 2022
}}</ref> Bell re-recorded it for his 2016 album ''[[This Is Where I Live]]''.<ref>
{{Cite web
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/this-is-where-i-live-mw0002939238
| last = Demming
| first = Mark
| title = William Bell: ''This Is Where I Live''{{snd}}Review
| website = [[AllMusic]]
| access-date = September 7, 2022
}}</ref>


==Cream version==
==Cream version==
Line 82: Line 145:
| album = [[Wheels of Fire]]
| album = [[Wheels of Fire]]
| released = {{Start date|1968|08|09}}
| released = {{Start date|1968|08|09}}
| recorded = 1968
| genre = [[Blues rock]]
| genre = [[Blues rock]]
| length = {{Duration|3:09}}
| length = {{Duration|3:09}}
Line 90: Line 154:
| lyricist = [[William Bell (singer)|William Bell]]
| lyricist = [[William Bell (singer)|William Bell]]
| producer = [[Felix Pappalardi]]
| producer = [[Felix Pappalardi]]
| misc = {{Audio sample
| type = song
| file = Wheels of Fire - Born Under a Bad Sign Cream clip.ogg
}}
}}
}}
British rock group [[Cream (band)|Cream]] recorded "Born Under a Bad Sign" for their third album, ''[[Wheels of Fire]]'' (1968). The group's record company, which also distributed Stax records, requested that they record it, according to guitarist [[Eric Clapton]]. Cream's rendition follows Albert King's, except for bassist and singer [[Jack Bruce]] combining two verses into "I've been down ever since I was ten" and an extended guitar solo by Clapton. Musicologist [[Robert Palmer (writer)|Robert Palmer]] described Clapton's playing as "practically Albert King parodies".<ref name="Palmer"/>
British rock group [[Cream (band)|Cream]] recorded "Born Under a Bad Sign" for their third album, ''[[Wheels of Fire]]'' (1968). The group's record company, which also distributed Stax records, requested that they record it, according to guitarist [[Eric Clapton]]. Cream's rendition follows Albert King's, except for bassist and singer [[Jack Bruce]] combining two verses into "I've been down ever since I was ten" and an extended guitar solo by Clapton. Musicologist [[Robert Palmer (American writer)|Robert Palmer]] described Clapton's playing as "practically Albert King parodies".<ref name="Palmer"/>


Cream recorded a live version for the BBC October 24, 1967, which was released on ''[[BBC Sessions (Cream album)|BBC Sessions]]'' in 2003.<ref>
{{Listen
{{Cite web
| filename = Wheels of Fire - Born Under a Bad Sign Cream clip.ogg
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/bbc-sessions-mw0000023539
| type = music
| last = Unterberger
| title = "Born Under a Bad Sign"
| first = Richie
| description = Sample of Cream version from ''[[Wheels of Fire]]''
| author-link = Richie Unterberger
| pos = right}}
| title = Cream: ''BBC Sessions''{{snd}}Review
Cream recorded a live version for the BBC October 24, 1967, which was released on ''[[BBC Sessions (Cream album)|BBC Sessions]]'' in 2003. Another live version was recorded during their reunion performances in 2005 and included on ''[[Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6, 2005]]''.
| website = [[AllMusic]]
| access-date = September 7, 2022
}}</ref> Another live version was recorded during their reunion performances in 2005 and included on ''[[Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6, 2005]]''.<ref>
{{Cite web
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/royal-albert-hall-london-may-2-3-5-6-2005-mw0000398296
| last = Erlewine
| first = Stephen Thomas
| author-link = Stephen Thomas Erlewine
| title = Cream: ''Royal Albert Hall: London May 2-3-5-6 2005''{{snd}}Review
| website = [[AllMusic]]
| access-date = September 7, 2022
}}</ref>


==Recognition and influence==
==Recognition and influence==
In 1988, Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign" was inducted into the [[Blues Foundation]] Hall of Fame. Writing for the Foundation, [[Jim O'Neal]] called it "one of the signature hits of Albert King that started to win the left-handed string-bender a crossover following in 1967, as he began to break out of the chittlin circuit to invade rock venues like the Fillmore".<ref name="O'Neal"/>
In 1988, Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign" was inducted into the [[Blues Foundation]] Hall of Fame. Writing for the Foundation, [[Jim O'Neal]] called it "one of the signature hits of Albert King that started to win the left-handed string-bender a crossover following in 1967, as he began to break out of the chittlin circuit to invade rock venues like the Fillmore".<ref name="O'Neal"/>


King's song is also included in the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]'s list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".<ref>
King's song is also included in the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]'s list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".<ref>
Line 111: Line 191:
| year = 1995
| year = 1995
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070502032502/http://www.rockhall.com/exhibithighlights/500-songs
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070502032502/http://www.rockhall.com/exhibithighlights/500-songs
| archive-date = 2007
| archive-date = 2007-05-02
| access-date = July 4, 2013
| access-date = July 4, 2013
}}</ref> Music writer [[Charles Shaar Murray]] commented "tunes like '[[Crosscut Saw (song)|Crosscut Saw]]', 'Oh Pretty Woman' and, most of all, 'Born Under a Bad Sign' rapidly became [[blues standards]]" and showed King's influence among blues-oriented artists.<ref>
}}</ref> Music writer [[Charles Shaar Murray]] commented "tunes like '[[Crosscut Saw (song)|Crosscut Saw]]', 'Oh Pretty Woman' and, most of all, 'Born Under a Bad Sign' rapidly became [[blues standards]]" and showed King's influence among blues-oriented artists.<ref>

Latest revision as of 19:42, 21 October 2023

"Born Under a Bad Sign"
Single by Albert King
from the album Born Under a Bad Sign
B-side"Personal Manager"
Released1967 (1967)
RecordedMay 17, 1967[1]
StudioStax, Memphis, Tennessee
GenreSoul blues
Length2:44
LabelStax
Composer(s)Booker T. Jones
Lyricist(s)William Bell

"Born Under a Bad Sign" is a blues song recorded by American blues singer and guitarist Albert King in 1967. Called "a timeless staple of the blues",[2] the song also had strong crossover appeal to the rock audience with its synchronous bass and guitar lines and topical astrology reference.[3] "Born Under a Bad Sign" appeared on the R&B chart and became a blues standard.

Original song

[edit]

The lyrics to "Born Under a Bad Sign" were written by Stax Records rhythm and blues singer William Bell with music by Stax bandleader Booker T. Jones (of Booker T. & the M.G.'s). Bell recalled, "We needed a blues song for Albert King ... I had this idea in the back of my mind that I was gonna do myself. Astrology and all that stuff was pretty big then. I got this idea that [it] might work."[4]

The lyrics describe "hard luck and trouble" tempered by "wine and women", with wordplay in the chorus in the turnaround:

Born under a bad sign, been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all

Similar verses appear in earlier songs. In 1947, pianist and singer Cousin Joe recorded "Bad Luck Blues" with the Sam Price Trio, which contains the lyrics "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all".[5] Lightnin' Slim's 1954 swamp blues recording of "Bad Luck Blues" contains the same lines and also includes "Cause bad luck's been followin' po' Lightnin', ever since I began to crawl".[6]

Jones's arrangement for the song does not follow the typical twelve-bar blues I-IV-V progression. Rather, it is dominated by an R&B-style bass/rhythm guitar line, which Bell claimed that he came up with "while fooling around on the guitar".[4] Albert King provided his signature guitar fills around his vocals and solos during the break and outro, with backing by Booker T. & the M.G.'s and the Memphis Horns.

"Born Under a Bad Sign" reached number 49 on Billboard magazine's Top Selling R&B singles chart.[7] It was later included on his first album for Stax, also titled Born Under a Bad Sign. The album's cover depicts images of "bad luck signs" or common superstitions, including a black cat, a Friday the 13th calendar page, skull and crossbones, ace of spades, and snake eyes. Subsequently, the song has appeared on numerous King and various artist collections.[8]

Albert King recorded an updated version of "Born Under a Bad Sign" with producer Allen Toussaint for his 1978 New Orleans Heat album.[9] Live versions are included on Wednesday Night in San Francisco, Chicago 1978, In Session with Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Godfather of the Blues: His Last European Tour 1992, and Talkin' Blues (see Albert King discography for album details).

Co-writers William Bell (1969 Bound to Happen) and Booker T. Jones (1968 Soul Limbo) each recorded the song.[10] Bell re-recorded it for his 2016 album This Is Where I Live.[11]

Cream version

[edit]
"Born Under a Bad Sign"
Song by Cream
from the album Wheels of Fire
ReleasedAugust 9, 1968 (1968-08-09)
Recorded1968
GenreBlues rock
Length3:09
Label
Composer(s)Booker T. Jones
Lyricist(s)William Bell
Producer(s)Felix Pappalardi
Audio sample

British rock group Cream recorded "Born Under a Bad Sign" for their third album, Wheels of Fire (1968). The group's record company, which also distributed Stax records, requested that they record it, according to guitarist Eric Clapton. Cream's rendition follows Albert King's, except for bassist and singer Jack Bruce combining two verses into "I've been down ever since I was ten" and an extended guitar solo by Clapton. Musicologist Robert Palmer described Clapton's playing as "practically Albert King parodies".[3]

Cream recorded a live version for the BBC October 24, 1967, which was released on BBC Sessions in 2003.[12] Another live version was recorded during their reunion performances in 2005 and included on Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6, 2005.[13]

Recognition and influence

[edit]

In 1988, Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign" was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. Writing for the Foundation, Jim O'Neal called it "one of the signature hits of Albert King that started to win the left-handed string-bender a crossover following in 1967, as he began to break out of the chittlin circuit to invade rock venues like the Fillmore".[2]

King's song is also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".[14] Music writer Charles Shaar Murray commented "tunes like 'Crosscut Saw', 'Oh Pretty Woman' and, most of all, 'Born Under a Bad Sign' rapidly became blues standards" and showed King's influence among blues-oriented artists.[15]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ King of the Blues Guitar (CD reissue liner notes). Albert King. New York City: Atlantic Records. 1989. p. 1. 8213-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ a b O'Neal, Jim (November 10, 2016). "1988 Hall of Fame Inductees: Born Under a Bad Sign – Albert King (Stax, 1967)". Blues.org. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Palmer, Robert (1982). Deep Blues. New York City: Penguin Books. p. 246. ISBN 0-14006-223-8.
  4. ^ a b Bowman, Rob (1997). Soulsville USA: The Story of Stax Records. Music Sales Group. pp. 126–127.
  5. ^ Joseph, Pleasant "Cousin Joe"; Ottenheimer, Harriet J. (2012). Cousin Joe: Blues from New Orleans. Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing. pp. 96, 205. ISBN 978-1455615438.
  6. ^ Broven, John (1992). South to Louisiana: The Music of the Bayous. Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing. p. 122. ISBN 0-88289-608-3.
  7. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. p. 238. ISBN 0-89820-068-7.
  8. ^ "Albert King: 'Born Under a Bad Sign' – Appears On". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  9. ^ Dahl, Bill. "Albert King: New Orleans Heat – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "'Born Under a Bad Sign' – Also Performed By". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  11. ^ Demming, Mark. "William Bell: This Is Where I Live – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  12. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Cream: BBC Sessions – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  13. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Cream: Royal Albert Hall: London May 2-3-5-6 2005 – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  14. ^ "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 1995. Archived from the original on 2007-05-02. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  15. ^ Murray, Charles Shaar (1991). Crosstown Traffic. New York City: St. Martin's Press. pp. 141–142. ISBN 0-312-06324-5.
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