Times are really tough, there's trouble all around,
The cost of keeping up is steady wearing people down
Folks need something for their spirit to help them make it through
Well, this music is a healer and that s why we play the blues, why we play the blues
Millionaires will tell you: the economy's fine
That doesn't help the people on the unemployment line
You got too many families who need housing, jobs, and food
So we try to tell the story and that's why we play the blues, why we play the blues
(spoken: huh! kick it now!)
We know that life is sweeter when you got a fine romance,
But so much stuff is out here, folks are scared to take a chance
So many hearts are lonely, so many hearts confused
Well this music s good for loving, now, and that s why we play the blues,
Why we play the blues
(spoken: one more)
Young people face the dangers and pressures of the street
And even in the classrooms children packing heat
We've got to show the wisdom and the strength that s in our roots, yes we do
Well, this music is a bloodline and that s why we play the blues, why we play the blues
(spoken: ... the keyboards, say it now)
Hey, now, we played a lot of places from the east out to the west,
We take it to the stage and put this music to the test
No matter where they come from, people understand the truth
Everybody knows the feeling and that s why we play the blues
Why we play the blues, y'all, why we play the blues
I got to, got to, got to, we got to, got to play the blues, play the blues now