Billie’s Blues (I Love My Man)

Billie Holiday

Lord I love my man tell the world I do
I love my man tell the world I do
But when he mistreats me
Makes me feel so blue

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper and put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long way to go

(bridge)

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I got money

Some tell me baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say Billie,

Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
And if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(TV program intro)

(very fast tempo)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
Before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
Had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
‘Cause I’m snappy
Call me honey
Think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(4min very long coda, almost a jam session)

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

 

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

 

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

 

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

(very long bridge, 8 min long)

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

 

(very short version)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

(Billie’s voice is awful)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(MC comments)

(awful recording, bad sound, out of pace)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)