Carl Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 The word "Matchbox" shows up in various Blues lyrics and as the title of a popular Blues song. Any idea what the word means in this context? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 I knew two songs right away with matchbox that are blues...here they are... Matchbox ~ Jonny Lang Yeah I'm tired of sighing, tired of worrying you too But I made up my mind baby, what I'm gonna do I got my clothes in a matchbox, I'm gonna forget about you But I tried to tell you many times, but I never could do it You believe me baby, this time I'm through I got my clothes in a matchbox, I'm gonna forget about you Now when things get harder, yeah, and rough on you Don't try to get me back now baby, 'cause baby I'm through I got my clothes in a matchbox, gonna forget about you Matchbox Blue ~ Blind Lemon Jefferson I'm settin' here wonderin' would a matchbox hold my clothes I'm settin' here wonderin' would a matchbox hold my clothes I ain't got so many matches but I got so far to go Girl 'cross town wanna be my teddy bear Girl 'cross town wanna be my teddy bear Put a string on me and I'll follow you everywhere [Got] a peg leg woman man she can't hardly get outdoors I say a peg leg woman just can't hardly get outdoors I ... [eight o'clock] last night ... [i'm sellin'] jellyroll I don't see why these women treats me so mean I don't see why these gals treat me so mean Sometime I think I'm some man these women ain't never seen Lord I got up this morning with my sho' 'nuff [i.e., sure enough] on my mind Got up this mornin' same thing on my mind The woman I love she keep a good man workin' all the time Now tell me mama who may your manager be Now tell me who may your manager be Reason I ask so many questions can't you make 'rangements for me I thought it might mean like a suitcase or something along that lines. Just my thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Only thing that I could find that might be mildly informative is this quote (from Wiki): In Sam Cooke's live version, he interjects, "Can you see me putting all my clothes in a little old matchbox?" Poetic justice (regarding the songs that SJ posted) to me would dictate that they feel so poor they could fit all their belongings (clothes) in a matchbox. Just a guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 I would always see this little ragged old suitcase when I would hear those songs with the guy walking down the road all sad and lonely. Would love to talk to a blues singer and find out for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazooka Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 I think the concept is this: The poor singer has so little that, by way of exaggeration, all his clothes would fit in a matchbox. Carl Perkins' version of Matchbox usually winds up in his duets with other artists, or in medleys of his songs. (The Beatles covered it.) ------------------- Unrelated, I think: A 'matchbox' was, at one time, a measure of marijuana. Dope dealers would repackage pot in those small Diamond Match boxes for sale to poorer customers, to maximize profits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 I think the concept is this: The poor singer has so little that, by way of exaggeration, all his clothes would fit in a matchbox. Hey - that sounds familiar. Poetic justice (regarding the songs that SJ posted) to me would dictate that they feel so poor they could fit all their belongings (clothes) in a matchbox. Just a guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 guess I was wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesboy Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 I thought it might mean like a suitcase or something along that lines. Just my thought. Only thing that I could find that might be mildly informative is this quote (from Wiki): In Sam Cooke's live version, he interjects, "Can you see me putting all my clothes in a little old matchbox?" Poetic justice (regarding the songs that SJ posted) to me would dictate that they feel so poor they could fit all their belongings (clothes) in a matchbox. Just a guess. I think the concept is this: The poor singer has so little that, by way of exaggeration, all his clothes would fit in a matchbox. Oh, master bazooka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 I love this place... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazooka Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Oh, master bazooka Of course I realized I wasn't breaking any new ground here. The word "Matchbox" shows up in various Blues lyrics and as the title of a popular Blues song. Any idea what the word means in this context? Carl, your question seems downright rhetorical to me. Carl Perkin's version of Matchbox was all I'm really familiar with (was the original Blind Lemon Jefferson?). The meaning is expressed directly in the lyrics. Are there other "various Blues lyrics" were that is less straightforward? I did add two cents with the marijuana connection but, again, I doubt that is pertinent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted August 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 I thought it might be a common Blues reference with a bit of a story, but it sounds like it all originates from the Blind Lemon song. We'll get this info in the Songfacts. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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