Composed by Duke Ellington
Original lyrics by by Don George
Somewhat generalized version from the recording by Mose Allison, indicating the major chord groupings for a
blues progression. I welcome your suggestions to enhance this interpretation.
Also note, although the tune starts in the Key of F, there is a modulation up one semitone for the final
verse, so the song actually ends in the Key of G.
Mose Allison sings slightly different lyrics to the recordings by Ella Fitzgerald (eg. Duke Ellington,
and Joe Pass).
https://youtu.be/bJd2Y51nTtE?si=EHcjcITkOdC4VQ2F
Verse 1
[C7] [Fdim] [F]
I ain't got the change of a nickel
[F] [D9]
Ain't got no bounce in my shoes
[D7] [Db9] [Gm7] [C7]
Ain't got no fancy to tick - le
[F] [F7] [Fdim] [Bbm6] [C7]
I ain't got nothing but the blues
Verse 2
[C7] [Ddim7] [Bbm] [Fdim] [F]
Ain't got no coffee that's perking
[F] [D9]
Ain't got no feelings to bruise
[D7] [Db9] [Gm7] [C7]
Don't have a dream that's working
[C7] [F] [F7] [Fdim] [Bbm6] [F]
I ain't got nothing but the blues
Bridge 1
[A7] [Bb7]
The band is swinging
[A7] [Eb7]
The folks are singing
[D7] [Ab9]
I just can't let my head down
[G9] [Ab9]
Believe me Pruitt
[G9]
Ain't nothing to it
[C7] [D7] [Db9] [C7]
Since my l'il baby left town
Verse 3
N.C [Fdim] [F]
Ain't got no rest in my slumbers
[F] [D9]
Don't have no winners to lose
[D9] [D7] [Db9] [Gm7] [C7]
Ain't got no tel-e-phone numbers
[C7] [F] [F7] [Fdim] [Bbm6] [C7]
I ain't got nothing but the blues
Instrumental
[F] [Fdim] [F]
[Bb9]
[D7] [Db9] [Gm7] [C7]
[F] [F7] [Fdim] [Bbm6] [C7]
[F] [Fdim] [F]
[Bb9]
[D7] [Db9] [Gm7] [C7]
[F] [F7] [Fdim] [Bbm6] [F]
Bridge 2
[A7] [B7]
The band is stomping
[A7] [Eb7]
The folks are romping
[D7] [Ab9]
I just can't let my head down
[G9] [Ab9]
Believe me Bridget
[G9]
I can't get with it
[C7] [D7]
Since my l'il baby left town
Verse 4
[D7] [Gdim] [G]
Ain't got no house in Westchester
[G] [E9]
Don't have no Chris Craft to cruise
[E9] [E7] [Eb9] [Am7] [D7]
Ain't got no Basie with Lester act
N.C. [G] [Cm6] [G9]
I ain't got nothing but the blues.
