The King is Gone

[Verse 1: slow blues ballad, Fender neck pickup tone, 6/8 feel, soft brush snare] You know it never ceases to amaze me The comings and the goings of people in my life I guess I just assumed they would stay here And now I wonder where they are tonight [Verse 2: piano joins, low-end bass walkin' slow and clean] All those nights in the barroom and lounges Blues and jazz clubs down on Main They used to ask me to play "Stormy Monday" Now I wonder if they remember my name [Chorus: swell with full band, background vocals soft and gospel-tinged] I was young then I was strong They used to ask me to play "Stormy Monday" Now I wonder if they remember my name [Chorus: swell with full band, background vocals soft and gospel-tinged] I was young then I was strong I was your king [Pause, breathe here] Baby But the king is gone [Verse 3: guitar weaves around vocals, bend notes *slow and wide*] All those years on the road And the parties Never thought it would end But now it's over And I can still hear 'em saying "Play it pretty BB" And all I got is a lifetime of memories And now I sit in my room With my guitar Playing blues for me and myself alone And I hear 'em saying "Play it again King" And I remember that the king is gone [Chorus: stronger vocal, organ swells under “king”] I was young then I was strong I was your king Baby But the king is gone [Bridge: stripped down to just guitar and voice, whispered edge to delivery] You know I used to laugh at old men I'd never thought I'd be one But I am one [Bridge: stripped down to just guitar and voice, whispered edge to delivery] You