Story Behind The Song
We went to Memphis to scout clubs and get ideas for the Beale St. record in 2005, and when we went to Beale, we were shocked by how little actual blues was being played there. We had also taken a trip to the Delta, and one of the songs we listened to was
Song Description
A man finds himself wandering Beale St. trying to understand. He's lonely, and sees an apparition, of an old bluesman, the Ghost King of Beale St., who gives him advice that makes him feel better.
| Song Length |
6:22 |
Genre |
Blues - Modern, Jazz - Lounge |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Cool, Poignant |
Subject |
Loneliness, Spirituality |
| Similar Artists |
George Benson, Lee Ritenour |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1950 - 1959 |
| |
Lyrics
ALIBIS & LIES
Got me collecting evidence
Tryin' to prove your innocence
When I know better than to trust excuses
When alibis & lies will do
Got myself down to Beale Street
Tryin' to find some clues
Got lost down on Beale Street
Lookin' for my muse
Then the Ghost King of Beale Street
He asked me to sing him some blues
Cuz he was lonely and he only wanted to
Touch a little piece of the truth
(He said)
"Righteousness isn't pretty
The strong don't need to be proud
When you lose your soul in the city
It's easy just to hide in the crowd"
Got me dissecting permanence
Tryin' to prove a love's existence
I know better than to trust your kisses
When alibis and lies will do
Never made a dime on Beale Street
But the Ghost King had nothin' to lose
(He said) "Kings have lived and died here
Tryin' just to pay their dues"
But the Ghost King of Beale Street
Never gave up on the blues
Cuz he was lonely and he only wanted to
Touch a little piece of the truth
(He said)
"Righteousness...
Got me rejecting common sense
Tryin' to burn my reticence
But I know better than any detective
What alibis and lies will do
Didn't want to stay on Beale Street
Cuz I'm not idly amused
Mercy, killing on Beale Street
Somebody murdered the blues
But the Ghost King still haunts Beale Street
Afflicting all the accused
When I'm lonely that's the only way I can
Touch a little piece of the truth
©2005-2006, Steve Pasek