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R.L. Burnside — It's Bad You Know
Album: The Sopranos Soundtrack
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2137









Released: 1999
Length: 4:07
Plays (last 30 days): 2
It's bad you know

It's bad you know

She'd asked me why
I just went on' told her

She'd asked me why
I just went on' told her

She'd asked me why
I just went on' told her

She'd asked me why
I just went on' told her

That Engineer blowed no whistle at all
No Fireman he rang his bell

That Engineer blowed no whistle at all
No Fireman he rang his bell

That Engineer blowed no whistle at all
No Fireman he rang his bell

That Engineer blowed no whistle at all
No Fireman he rang his bell

It's bad you know

She'd asked me why
I just went on' told her

She'd asked me why
I just went on' told her

It's bad you know

It's bad you know
Comments (254)add comment
 Rockit999 wrote:
Best 1 chord song ever.
 Just a mention for The Adverts - One Chord Wonders
(which, of course, has more than one chord....)


the meaning of life!!
i wonder if hes more talkative in a bar stool

i would be 
Best 1 chord song ever.
how ya argue with this guy?
This song has no actual chord transitions.  Just a single chord all the way through.
This is The BEST 'Bad' song ever. Don't even talk to me. 9
 terryweir wrote:

One of the coolest songs ever by one of the coolest blues guy ever.




I Agree!! EXCELLENT!!
If you are a fan of this, check out the Fat Possum Records portfolio. They were\are one of the great purveyors of Mississippi Blues. 
One of the coolest songs ever by one of the coolest blues guy ever.
On the original Burnside CD, not a soundtrack from The Sopranos, there is a spoken sentence at the track's beginning which may give you a clue... so I agree with the poster who wrote:


I used this song to talk to my boys about relationships.

There's a lot going on in those two sentences...

Bump



Posted 7 years ago by bhallmark:

My word, Gladys, this rocks the casbah!
It’s BAD. You know...
One of the best series. Ever. Soundtrack pretty damn good too. Just that one episode that finished with silence... Excellent.
This song explains EVERYTHING...
How did I not know this was an original from the sound track 5->8
 GTT wrote:
n26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwc29w2ms61qjnsico1_400.gif

https://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwc29w2ms61qjnsico1_400.gif

 

As soon as I hear this on the web player I have to jump to the comments to watch the dancin' dog.
Hold music.
 jamesshoemark wrote:
What is this song about?
 
Exactly!
Sick and Phat ... he wasn't that by the way before I get in trouble - he looked well thin
LOVE remixes of R.L.!
Saw R.L. in Vancouver maybe in 1998 or so... what a cool show in a small smoky venue.  Love his style and sound. 
I used this song to talk to my boys about relationships.

There's a lot going on in those two sentences...
What is this song about?
ajlept wrote:

I thought at first that this song has no substance and is very repetitive. Then I was pissed when it ended! Go figure?


 Ihatethissong wrote:

Dude!  Bill read your comment!  You're an RP rockstar now.
 
Actually Bill read ... Then I was mad when it ended! 

Now you got reason to be pissed!
simplicity at its best
{#Devil_pimp}zesty ! love rl " cool is the rule but sometimes bad is bad "
I used this song to illustrate the difficulties of talking about relationships:

"She'd asked me why" - why what? it doesn't matter, it's always the same question
"I just went on' told her" - told her what? it doesn't matter, it's always the same answer
re repetitive/Moby style: context is everything - RL was a solid bluesman in his own right and these are remixes by his son; keeping the family traditions current
 Ihatethissong wrote:


Brilliant!  Keep your students guessing.
 
slow down the giff about 48%..! may sync a bit better....
Mr. Bill just recycled ajlept's comment. Again. Anyone new to RP knows how crazy-rare that is. And now 2X?! ajlept's RP famous. Kinda how Harvey Levin is to his own TMZ famous. But hey, the fames. Take 'em as they come; never whine.  Always look back! 
RL is great. This Moby Style sampling with remix is weak. 
yer damn right  ! !
 ajlept wrote:
I thought at first that this song has no substance and is very repetitive. Then I was pissed when it ended! Go figure?
 
It's best to go with a first instinct - they are almost always right, as in this case!
Really cool, hypnotic blues.
 ajlept wrote:
I thought at first that this song has no substance and is very repetitive. Then I was pissed when it ended! Go figure?
 
Dude!  Bill read your comment!  You're an RP rockstar now.
A great music lesson was watching the brilliant "deep blues" documentary as an introduction to the likes of R L Burnside's North Mississippi hill country slash and drone style blues, as described by blues expert Robert Palmer, now available for all to watch on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv9QoLR4Qfk 
Good stuff. Not bad at all!
Is this Gene, Gene, the Dancing Machine, from the Gong Show?  
Turn it UP!  love it
 V12Silly wrote:
I love this stuff

 
me either, really good
I love this stuff
 Jelani wrote:
I can't stand this stuff.

 
me either. really bad.
GTT wrote:
Yes, yes, I love it.  I often play music in my classroom at a local community college before class starts, and I once played this song with a GIF up on a PowerPoint, with a man in a dog suit walking upright across someone's backyard over and over again.  It was by accident and totally random, but turned out to be one of the strangest and most wonderful moments in my long teaching career.

n26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwc29w2ms61qjnsico1_400.gif

https://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwc29w2ms61qjnsico1_400.gif


 
Did know it also works really well with Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin ?


 drews wrote:

And when you're done watching that, watch 'Deep Blues' on DVD, featuring R. L. Burnside, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Big Jack Johnson, Junior Kimbrough, Booker T. Laury, Jack Owens, Lonnie Pitchford, Bud Spires and other blues people from the Missisippi hill country and delta regions and round Memphis TN, shot out in the yard, in sweaty juke joints, on the streets, and in the home - a superb homage to this kind of unpolished authentic blues 

Burnsides's tracks on this DVD are at the very least mesmerizing. The guy is so cool—the band settles into a groove, and he's checking out the women in room.
I can't stand this stuff.
 GTT wrote:
Yes, yes, I love it.  I often play music in my classroom at a local community college before class starts, and I once played this song with a GIF up on a PowerPoint, with a man in a dog suit walking upright across someone's backyard over and over again.  It was by accident and totally random, but turned out to be one of the strangest and most wonderful moments in my long teaching career.

n26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwc29w2ms61qjnsico1_400.gif

https://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwc29w2ms61qjnsico1_400.gif


 
Did your students ask you where they could score that great acid?  {#Devil_pimp} {#Motor}
Yes, yes, I love it.  I often play music in my classroom at a local community college before class starts, and I once played this song with a GIF up on a PowerPoint, with a man in a dog suit walking upright across someone's backyard over and over again.  It was by accident and totally random, but turned out to be one of the strangest and most wonderful moments in my long teaching career.

n26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwc29w2ms61qjnsico1_400.gif

https://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwc29w2ms61qjnsico1_400.gif

{#Hearteyes}    {#Hearteyes}    {#Hearteyes}  ..... most excellent 
I thought at first that this song has no substance and is very repetitive. Then I was pissed when it ended! Go figure?
My word, Gladys, this rocks the casbah!
I discovered Mr. Burnside on RP too. I went and got me some of him. 
This tune always loads my batteries, exquisite groove.
 peter_james_bond wrote:

I can't explain your use of giant green text.....{#Whistle}


 
My browser won't let me use giant green text...{#Sad} 

It must be the curse of Lazarus. 
{#Devil_pimp}
This is bad... ass! Whoop!
This is bad, you know. No soul. Nada.
LOVE this musician - discovered on RP :-)
This song never ceases to get my head bobbing... LOVE the groove....
It's good, you know.  Knicked from a clever RP'er way down thread who posted it first. {#Cheers}.
 Cynaera wrote:
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Sunny}  Repetitive, but dang - that driving beat... Can't help it. Gotta dance.

 
Exactly - if you can sit still during this tune ........{#Beat}  First time I have heard it - thanks RP {#Dancingbanana}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}
Cool. Also check out his son, Duwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mafia.
{#Devil_pimp}

Honesty is always the best policy.
Check out his grandson Cedric.... Fierce drummer....
Mmmhmm jungle groove.
damn, that's one funky cat!

 
WayUpNorth wrote:
Party Bro
She asked me why ... I just went on and told her ...
 


Great jungle music. And harmonica
Party Bro
She asked me why ... I just went on and told her ...
{#Dancingbanana} You know it!!

Not a fan.


This tune is just so cool - you just have to crank it up.  My kids have loved it for years, too

I love the message:
"She asked me why"
"I just went on and told her"

My ten-year old asked me, Why what?
I said, between men and women, it's always the same...
 Photo-John wrote:

Love this. Love it love it love it! 

Oh yeah!!!  I will second that. 

Hey - can someone please tell me the name of the instrument that makes that scratchy sound? I remember seeing one a long time ago in elementary school music class — there's a stick you run along back & forth over some grooves that are cut out — I thought it was a gourd?

EDIT: nevermind, found it on Google — it's a Güiro

 laozilover wrote:
I cannot explain why I like hearing this so much. {#Bananapiano}
 
I can't explain your use of giant green text.....{#Whistle}

I cannot explain why I like hearing this so much. {#Bananapiano}
 Bazooka wrote:

The beauty is the power and abstraction focused like the rhythm of a fine machine idling.  


 
Yo Jo

 jools wrote:
Was this used in The Wire? If not, it should have been...
 
Sopranos, season 1.
Great song!
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Sunny}  Repetitive, but dang - that driving beat... Can't help it. Gotta dance.

 nerakdon wrote:

One time I was alone at work, late at night.  I had good speakers, it was a weekend, figured what the hell.

Turned on Walkin' Blues (Burnside), and started singing at the top of my lungs. 

This crazy old lady who worked at the same place came in cuz she has OCD and can't let anything sit, and she heard me howling.  Thought it was a ghost.

Maybe it's just like that.  Someone's bound to be singing the blues.


 

Smiling! A lot...!
FUNNY GUY! 

PS
Question - did you have sex with her! Finally...?


And when you're done watching that, watch 'Deep Blues' on DVD, featuring R. L. Burnside, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Big Jack Johnson, Junior Kimbrough, Booker T. Laury, Jack Owens, Lonnie Pitchford, Bud Spires and other blues people from the Missisippi hill country and delta regions and round Memphis TN, shot out in the yard, in sweaty juke joints, on the streets, and in the home - a superb homage to this kind of unpolished authentic blues

 
nagsheadlocal wrote:
Buy, borrow, or rent the documentary "You See Me Laughing - The Last of the Hill Country Bluesmen"

RL is one of the stars and it also features performances by Jon Spenser, Iggy Pop (!) and others who admired and enjoyed Mississippi Hill Country Blues.

And why did these guys continue to play road house gigs way into their 60s? They needed the work. None of them had ever made more than a few bucks from music. One of the musicians is even shown at his day job selling used tires.
 

One time I was alone at work, late at night.  I had good speakers, it was a weekend, figured what the hell.

Turned on Walkin' Blues (Burnside), and started singing at the top of my lungs. 

This crazy old lady who worked at the same place came in cuz she has OCD and can't let anything sit, and she heard me howling.  Thought it was a ghost.

Maybe it's just like that.  Someone's bound to be singing the blues.


Its' bad you know...
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
Not sure quite what to make of this song. Hard to knock RL (RIP) but it's almost as if this is a parody of a blues song. It's catchy sure. Utterly void of content however. It's almost as if RL's grandson (who drums on this album) propped ole pappy up like the poor bastard in a Weekend at Bernie's, asked him to speak two lines, then made a song from it.
Yeah, old people are stupid and easy to manipulate* - or is it possible that R.L. was totally in control of his music and creative collaboration? A little research will give you the answer.
* you know the old guy working in the grocery who you make fun of? Killed two dozen men with his bare hands in WWII, built a huge skyscraper, raised ten kids and wired his own house.


I ask you why.... why did you play this song? {#Puke}
Man, just the kind of groove to get me going this morning.
venereal disease?
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
Buy, borrow, or rent the documentary "You See Me Laughing - The Last of the Hill Country Bluesmen"

RL is one of the stars and it also features performances by Jon Spenser, Iggy Pop (!) and others who admired and enjoyed Mississippi Hill Country Blues.

And why did these guys continue to play road house gigs way into their 60s? They needed the work. None of them had ever made more than a few bucks from music. One of the musicians is even shown at his day job selling used tires.
 

This song has a great funky jam.  I just checked netflix and have the documentary.  Moved to #1 Position.  I watch it!

Love this. Love it love it love it!


Buy, borrow, or rent the documentary "You See Me Laughing - The Last of the Hill Country Bluesmen"

RL is one of the stars and it also features performances by Jon Spenser, Iggy Pop (!) and others who admired and enjoyed Mississippi Hill Country Blues.

And why did these guys continue to play road house gigs way into their 60s? They needed the work. None of them had ever made more than a few bucks from music. One of the musicians is even shown at his day job selling used tires.
 Bazooka wrote:

The beauty is the power and abstraction focused like the rhythm of a fine machine idling.  


  nice one


Lovin' this ... could we hear his remix of Rollin' & Tumblin' sometime?? {#Pray}
Was this used in The Wire? If not, it should have been...
I luv me some R.L. Burnside!!!{#Dancingbanana}
just...


R. L. Burnside

The beauty is the power and abstraction focused like the rhythm of a fine machine idling.  


It's bad you know...
Total Groove man! Groove!
Down the road! Move!
Steady Speed!
The Demons do they're deed!
{#Sunny}


 Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
Not sure quite what to make of this song. Hard to knock RL (RIP) but it's almost as if this is a parody of a blues song. It's catchy sure. Utterly void of content however. It's almost as if RL's grandson (who drums on this album) propped ole pappy up like the poor bastard in a Weekend at Bernie's, asked him to speak two lines, then made a song from it.
 
You nailed it.

*edit* it IS bad, you know....


i'm lovin' this
The title/refrain to this song has been stuck in my head for about a week now.

Unique and cool sound, yes. I love it too.  But I don't think this is how he sounded in the juke joints.  This cd has great remix and excellent production values.
One of my fav Burnside-songs. He manage to release a lot of music before his death, but I can't say that I like all of it. Still - this song I really enjoy.
I really like the delay on the harp! Cool sound.
This is bad to the boner

I dig this guy! Living in Chi, I hear more than my share of the blues, and it all sounds the same, but this guy's sound is cool.

RIP R.L.
Colorwise wrote:
It's Bad I know.
That is pretty funny. I like this song though. This guy (Burnside) has some great stuff.
Love that bass line, every time this comes on, I find myself turning the volume up => 7 -> 8

(I should follow his example, "she asked me why, I jes went on an tol' her.")

{ed. 8/15/08 "...and dat jes what I did.  I tol' her all right!"}


It's Bad I know.
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
I always like RLB's groove. Good song IMO. Hard to believe he's so old (is he still alive?)
Unfortunately went to that great gig in the sky, September 2005. His badass blues grooves live on however!
Crazy good
Greatness all the way around .Cool groove
The_Enemy wrote:
But R.L. has a great quote on the matter: "I didn't mean to kill nobody," Burnside later said of the murder. "I just meant to shoot the sonofabitch in the head. Him dying was between him and the Lord."
seems like a truck or something with no brakes.
super
Most excellent !!.... and a cool segue too.
The_Enemy wrote:
But R.L. has a great quote on the matter: "I didn't mean to kill nobody," Burnside later said of the murder. "I just meant to shoot the sonofabitch in the head. Him dying was between him and the Lord."
Damn that's a cool quote!