Billie’s Blues (I Love My Man)

Billie Holiday

Lord I love my man tell the world I do
I love my man tell the world I do
But when he mistreats me
Makes me feel so blue

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper and put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long way to go

(bridge)

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I got money

Some tell me baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say Billie,

Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say: Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some say Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
And if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1949	LR	63	Perfect Complete Collection vol.3	24	5’45”

(TV program intro)

(very fast tempo)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
Before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
Had a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
‘Cause I’m snappy
Call me honey
Think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(4min very long coda, almost a jam session)

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	78	Perfect Complete Collection vol.4	10	3’05”

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

 

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	80	Perfect Complete Collection vol.4	12	2’50”

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother, she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

 

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	107	Perfect Complete Collection vol.6	2	3’29”

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

 

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	125	Complete on Verve vol.2	24	11’39”

(intro)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

(very long bridge, 8 min long)

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	132	Perfect Complete Collection vol.7	14	3’13”

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

 

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	LR	152	Perfect Complete Collection vol.9	13	1’30”

(very short version)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	LR	165	Complete on Verve vol.8	6	3’20”

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1957	LR	189	Billie Holiday At Stratford ’57	4	3’23”

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1958	LR	195	Perfect Complete Collection vol.11	12	3’29”

(Billie’s voice is awful)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(MC comments)

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1958	LR	218	Perfect Complete Collection vol.12	11	3’01”

(awful recording, bad sound, out of pace)

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1959	LR	227	Perfect Complete Collection vol.12	18	3’08”

I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
I love my man I’m liar if I say I don’t
But I’ll quit my man
I’m liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave baby
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
But before I’ll be your dog
I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast
Wouldn’t give me no dinner
Squawked about my supper then he put me outdoors
Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes
I didn’t have so many
But I have a long, long ways to go

I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
I ain’t good-looking
And my hair ain’t curls
But my mother she give me something
It’s going to carry me through this world

Some men like me ’cause I’m happy
Some ’cause I’m snappy
Some call me honey
Others think I’ve got money

Some tell me Billie,
Baby you’re built for speed
Now, if you put that all together
Makes me everything a good man needs

(applauses)

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