3 Eternal B.B. King Songs That Will Have You Singing and Loving the Blues

B.B. King is a singular blues guitarist. He is instantly recognizable in a genre of music that has for hundreds of years relied on generally the same chord structure and patterns. Why? Because B.B. King doesn’t play chords! Instead, the stalwart artist almost always plays individual notes and when he does, they sing like angels.

Here below, we wanted to explore three songs by the late Itta Bena, Mississippi-born guitar master that showcase just that. A trio of blues tunes that illustrate not only King’s playing but also his vocal prowess. Indeed, these are three eternal B.B. King songs that will have you both singing and loving the blues all over again.

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“The Thrill Is Gone” from Completely Well (1969)

This song, which was originally written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell in 1951, was turned into a big hit in the late 1960s when B.B. King took it on. In the end, the song is about the dying of the light, the great thing going away. But it’s a bit ironic, since King plays so beautifully on the song. But that’s the essence of the blues—sadness performed with such art and expertise that the light actually never quite goes away. And on the tune, King sings,

The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away
The thrill is gone, baby
The thrill is gone away
You know you done me wrong, baby
And you’ll be sorry someday

The thrill is gone
It’s gone away from me
The thrill is gone, baby
The thrill is gone away from me
Although, I’ll still live on
But so lonely I’ll be

“Every Day I Have the Blues” from Singin’ the Blues (1957)

This song, which dates back to the 1930s or perhaps even before that, was recorded by King in 1955 and appears on his album Singin’ the Blues from 1957. That LP includes recordings from 1951-1956. In the end, the tune is a simple one with King expressing that, well, every day he feels he has the blues. And so, we the listener benefit by hearing him get those blues out through his crisp voice and keen guitar playing. Indeed, on the track, he sings,

Everyday, everyday I have the blues
Ooh everyday, everyday I have the blues
When you see me worryin’ baby, yeah it’s you I hate to lose

Whoa nobody loves me, nobody seems to care
Whoa nobody loves me, nobody seems to care
Well worries and trouble darling,
Babe you know I’ve had my share

“Lucille” from Lucille (1968)

In music, so often subtlety is lost—especially when it comes to the electric guitar. People try to get bigger, bigger, bigger, and louder, louder, louder. But on this song from B.B. King, which is named after his guitar Lucille, he showcases subtle sounds, note-bending, timing, and beautiful riffs that don’t need to be turned up to 11 to hit their mark. Instead, the listener must lean in closer and appreciate what King is playing for our ears. And on the song, he talks over the playing, saying,

You know, if I could sing pop tunes like Frank Sinatra
Or Sammy Davis Junior
I don’t think I still could do it
‘Cause Lucille don’t wanna play nothing but the blues
I think I’m, I think I’m pretty glad about that
‘Cause don’t nobody sing to me like Lucille
Sing, Lucille

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