You're doing words and music Poetry's your game You're dreaming of small fortunes And heavy loads of fame When artistry provides the cash for paying off your dues You bring a brand new meaning to the language of the blues Your words are full of wisdom Your songs are full of soul They're taking off like hotcakes In the name of rock 'n' roll When paradise is half as nice as heartache avenue You bring a brand new meaning to the language of the blues The blues tells us the story The most embarrassing to date Of slavery and injustice As well as love and faith It isn't just the music Food for humankind The blues is life itself It's an attitude of mind With Bessie, Billie, Janis You know what life's about And that nobody loves you When you're down and out When freedom's just another word for nothing left to loose You bring a brand new meaning to the language of the blues