Randy Newman - Sonny Boy Lyrics






It's me comin' at you
From the land beyond
I'm up here in heaven
Where I belong
I'm gonna yell you my story
About a man who's down in hell
He ain't up here anyway
As far as I can tell
This man stole my name
He stole my soul
They're so holy up here
They don't understand
But he even tried to steal my jellyroll
So here it is, my story
Here it is from the top

My name is Sonny Boy Williamson
I come from Jackson, Tennessee
Being a man named Sonny Boy
Might bother you, it never bothered me none
My mother loved me, my wife did too
I had a dream and the dream come true
I wrote some songs that to people knew
Like "Good Morning School Girl" and "Jackson Blue"
Around the time of the great migration
The blues run up the river, spread across the nation
I run up with 'em caused a great sensation
Selling biscuits on the radio in Chicago
Out on the Westside to see the sights
Turned a corner, see my name in lights
Said I'd been playin' there for 14 nights
This I had to see
This big old ugly cat was on the stage
Twice my size, about my age
Played six songs, five were mine
If I said he was good I'd be lyin'

Then he says "What's my name?"
The crowd says "Sonny Boy!"
He says "What's my name?"
They go "Sonny Boy!"
And he says "What's my name?"
I said "Hold it,
My name is Sonny Boy Williamson.
The one from Jackson, Tennessee.
Don't know who you are
Or where you come from,
But one thing I do know,
You ain't me, son."
I looked in his eyes
And they was red
As was the rangtang hair dye
All over his head
Scared me so bad I ran outside
Looked for a place to hide
Run 'round a corner
Smack into a robbery
They were shootin' each other
But they hit me
Next thing I know I came up here
In the middle of my 34th year

Now I'm the only bluesman in heaven
It makes me kind of sad
I know only one
Who dies so young
Didn't have the time
To do nothing bad
As for Sonny Boy Two
The man who stole my name
He went on to glory, fortune and fame
He's the one who went to England
Tried to teach those English boys the blues
He said what do I have to lose?
Well, it killed him
Yeah, it killed him

I'm the only bluesman in heaven
And I'm lonely as can be
Lord, if you're listening
Hear my plea
Send up a bluesman
To play the blues with me

This is Sonny Boy Williamson
Number One
That's my story
I'm done





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Randy Newman Sonny Boy Comments
  1. P.... H....

    Does a bad Randy Newman song actually exist?

    An artiste we will never see the like of again.

  2. w.... t....

    I love this sound so

  3. X.... L....

    Awesome!!!

  4. B.... E....

    This is Randy Newman at his best.

  5. m.... m....

    His grave is out south of Jackson, TN in Malesus. Some good folks finally put him a nice tombstone

  6. J.... C....

    Love u! randy

  7. 2.... ....

    Yes yes, people, but the song is about Sonny Boy Williamson II who stole the name of John Lee "Sonny boy" Williamson, who was far famous than him. Thanxs, Randy.

  8. B.... M....

    man pure talent

  9. J.... F....

    I really like the guitar in the part between "'Now im the only blues man in heaven" and "it makes me kind of sad." The slight delay really pleases my ears. I know it's such a small part but I love it.

    J.... F....

    Then again a without the other instruments and vocals it wouldn't sound the way it did. That's the beauty of music 😄

  10. J.... F....

    I didn't fully get this at first, but I came back and glad I did. Your such a good story teller and musician Randy!

  11. A.... B....

    He sounds like kermit the frog having a shit

  12. r.... b....

    There is and ever will be only one Randy Newman.

  13. D.... A....

    This song is an instant classic. I've never herd anything like it but feel like I knew it when I herd it if that makes any sense. Love this.

  14. D.... A....

    Nobody tells a story anymore. That's why I love Billy Joel and Jim croce. Randy has a cartoon animated way o boutique his vocals that just captivate me.

  15. n.... ....

    But he even try to steal my jellyroll

  16. T.... G....

    you mean the sonny boy I saw was fake?

  17. S.... K....

    Excellent!

  18. T.... B....

    Sonny Boy's tombstone is to the left of my messages.

  19. T.... B....

    Yes, This did happen to Sonny Boy Williamson.. He is buried in Blair's Chapel CME Cemetery outside of Denmark, TN. I have a Facebook page in his honor with video's and pictures.. It's Sonny Boy John Lee Curtis Williamson. I also maintain the area around his tombstone in this inactive cemetery. https://www.facebook.com/sonnyboyjohnleecurtiswilliamson/?ref=settings#

  20. R.... C....

    LOVE YA BUNCHES ...SO HAPPY TO HEAR MORE OF YA...🎙.. Raybann AustinTexas

  21. E.... P....

    I like this one

  22. c.... ....

    songwriter supremo.

  23. a.... s....

    I have a friend in you!!

  24. i.... d....

    magnificent....just magnificent! - brought tears to my eyes - bless you mr. randy!!

  25. C.... G....

    Randy Newman, you're such a brilliant musician!

  26. T.... D....

    This is amazing why dose this not have more views

  27. e.... P....

    Dear Randy, what a wonderful song, great musicians, arrangement, sound, mastering, feeling, thank you so much! hugs and love , Paul, Netherlands.

  28. d.... ....

    I'm not missing Randy on this tour.

  29. T.... P....

    Classe e genialità fuori da ogni tempo e moda

  30. M.... ....

    As usual; a great story from a great story teller. I expect nothing less from Mr. Newman and once again, he delivers.

  31. M.... S....

    Love it!

  32. A.... D....

    Randy I miss you so much!

  33. M.... R....

    Thanks Randy!

  34. 0.... ....

    Randy can you make a song about Donald Trump. my favorite song is burn on because of my Jewish roots from Cleveland.

  35. J.... S....

    He's just sending it now.

  36. P.... ....

    Oh wow it's finally going to be coming out!!

  37. P.... M....

    What an amazing song. I am quite partial to the work of Rice Miller but I hear what you're saying. Timing and thievery - that's the blues for you

  38. G.... ....

    This is so good. Taking off exactly where Harps and Angels left off

    G.... ....

    harps and angels was so good

  39. L.... L....

    The only bluesman in heaven! Discuss.

    L.... L....

    What about blind willie mctell

    L.... L....

    Did you ever meet Luther Allison? A truly beautiful man. Sorely missed!

    L.... L....

    he didn't have time to do nothin' bad.

  40. d.... z....

    This is based on true history. There really was a Sonny Boy 1 and a Sonny Boy 2. And "1" did die in a robbery. Back in the days before you could Google anybody's name and see what they look like, it wasn't unusual for a musician to steal or borrow somebody's name to make a few bucks. Times was tough.

    d.... z....

    check it out on wikipedia.

    d.... z....

    "it wasn't unusual for a musician to steal or borrow somebody's name to make a few bucks."

    Oh? Name three.

    d.... z....

    I can name one---Sonny Boy Williamson, #1 and #2, as described in this song. Look it up on wiki. When I was a youngster a local promoter where I lived sold tickets to "Merle Travis" and he was a fake, I think. But that was just a rumor. I don't have massive documentation of this phenomenon at my fingertips, it's true, but think about it. Back then there were lots of imposters at everything, not just music.

    d.... z....

    There was a Ma Rainey II in Memphis, she didn't deny she wasn't the original, but booked herself as Ma Rainey.

    d.... z....

    And of course this happens to a lot a rock bands - a manager or minor player claims the name.

  41. R.... ....

    Reminds me of Good Ol' Boys, sounding great!

  42. I.... C....

    randy, never stop making music

  43. S.... ....

    What a great song. Brilliant lyrics.

  44. W.... L....

    This album is going to be so good..

    W.... L....

    Yes, I agree. I can't wait