Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues

Leon Russell

About Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues

"Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" is a song written and performed by Danny O'Keefe. It was first recorded by O'Keefe in 1967, but not released. It was recorded by The Bards and released in 1968 as the b-side to the song "Tunesmith" on Parrot Records. The Bards were a band from Moses Lake, Washington. The song was recorded by O'Keefe for his self-titled debut album in 1971. The following year he re-recorded it (with a slower, more downbeat arrangement) for his second album, O'Keefe. The second version was issued as a single, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, number 5 on the adult contemporary chart, and number 63 on the country chart. The song was also covered by Mel Tormé, especially for a 1986 episode of NBC's Night Court entitled "Leon, We Hardly Knew Ye". It was covered by numerous artists. A cover by Leon Russell peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1984. 


Year:
1984
3:19
254 
#2

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Everybody's gone away
Said they're movin to L.A.
There's not a soul I know around
Everybody's leavin' town

Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Find the sunshine, leave the rain
They said this town were a waste of time
I guess they're right, it's wasting mine

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues

You know my heart keeps tellin' me
You're not a kid at thirty-three
Play around you'll lose your wife
You play too hard you'll lose your life

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues

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Leon Russell

Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges April 2, 1942) is an American musician and songwriter, who has recorded as a session musician, sideman, and maintained a solo career in music. more »

4 fans

Written by: Danny O'Keefe

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Artist
"Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" was originally written and performed by Danny O'Keefe. It became a hit for him in 1972.
Collaboration History
Pianist Leon Russell, who is famous for his work with music legends, such as The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, and Bob Dylan, did a cover of the song. This cover was not done in collaboration with Danny O'Keefe, however.
Chart Performance
O'Keefe's version of the song peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, signalling significant commercial success.
Album Release
The original song was included in O'Keefe's 1972 album "O'Keefe," which is considered a seminal release in the singer-songwriter genre.
Song Theme
"Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" is often viewed as a reflection on aging and the loss of youthful vitality, featuring lyrics that evoke feelings of regret and nostalgia.
Song Cover
The song was later covered by numerous artists, including Elvis Presley, who included it in his 1973 album, "Elvis."
Accolades
"Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" is typically hailed as O'Keefe’s best-known song. This song has since been cited as a classic example of the 1970s singer-songwriter genre.
Cultural Impact
The song's refrain, "You know my heart keeps telling me, 'You're not a kid at thirty-three,'" has been referenced in popular culture and other songs multiple times.
Song Style
O'Keefe's style in "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" is often compared to Bob Dylan's early work, with a focus on lyrical storytelling over composition.
Musical Adaptability
Interestingly, while originally a pop song, "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" has been performed in a variety of musical styles over the years, ranging from country to blues to soul. This just adds to the song's timeless appeal.

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