If It Weren't For Bad Luck I'd Have No Luck At All
Lyrics Ian M Sacks, Music Kris King
Many thanks to Ian for these fun lyrics! Great fun.
First I went through and decided which words I wanted to stress, then I just set it to a default old blues type set of chords. Then I let it evolve over time as I sang it over and over – added a chord variation in the chorus, added a bit of theatricality to the vocals, changed a very few words here and there to suit the way I was singing it. Et voila – tis done. So here is a rough recording thereof.
Here is the song-sheet as it ended up in my interpretation. Ian’s original lyrics can of course be found in the lyric competition area.
A
I know that life doesnt come with any guarantee
D A
But somebody out there is always picking on me
D
I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t
E
when I think things will turn out – it turns out they dont
chorus:
A
Cos if it weren’t for bad luck i’d have no luck at all
D A
If it weren’t for bad luck id have no luck at all
C D
Some lucky people born under a shining star
C A G A
But my star hasnt shined on me, at least so far
A
When going to the market and running short on time
D A
I always end up picking the wrong damn line
D
close to the front just a few feet away
E
I still end up wasting – the whole damn day
chorus
I always try my best every time and again
D A
But when life deals me twelve I keep on drawing ten
D
Life can be a crapshoot just a roll of the dice
E
But somehow I keep rolling those – damn snake eyes
Chorus
A
they say winning ain’t everything but how you play the game
D A
That might be true for winners – but for losers not the same
D
Cause losers always wonder how did I go wrong
E
But thats another story and – maybe another song
chorus
A
I know that life doesnt come with any guarantee
(layout is mangled in the above – but you get the idea)
I really like your interpretation Kris. The swing is catchy and your playful vocals give it a fun edge. NIce one.
WOW!!
Thank you Kris for being inspired by my lyrics. I love your voice and your musical interpretation of my lyrics.
In addition to the whimsical simplicity of my lyrics, I also tried to make it a metaphor for people who don’t take responsibility for their own actions and blame their failures on bad luck. We ALL have some type of failures in our lives. I’ve always tried to own my failures and learn from them…however big or smal
Thanks again for your wonderful song..
Ianl
One of my favourites too! Wonderful interpretation and performance.
Wow! So good! Well done both of you!
Love your singing and music! Great interpretation of the lyrics.