Picture this: a young boy from the Mississippi cotton fields becomes the King of Blues!
That’s B.B. King’s incredible story.
Born Riley B. King in 1925, he turned his hardship into pure musical gold. Talk about making lemonade from lemons!
Remember that soul-stirring hit “The Thrill Is Gone”? B.B. didn’t write it, but wow, did he make it his own! When he recorded it in 1969, he breathed new life into those blues notes.
What made B.B. special? He could say more with one note than most guitarists could with an entire solo. Each bend of the string told a story.
Even with all those Grammy Awards (15!) and worldwide fame, he’d still stay after shows to meet every single fan. How cool is that?
When he passed in 2015, we lost a true original. But drop the needle on any B.B. King record, close your eyes, and the thrill comes rushing right back.
About the song “The Thrill Is Gone”
Released in 1969, “The Thrill Is Gone” was originally written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell in 1951, but B.B. King’s version transformed it into an iconic blues anthem that would become his signature song and help bring blues music to mainstream audiences worldwide.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Released | December 1969 |
| Album | Completely Well |
| Writers | Roy Hawkins, Rick Darnell |
| Producer | Bill Szymczyk |
| Genre | Blues/Blues Rock |
| Chart Peak | #15 Billboard Hot 100 |
| Awards | Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (1970) |
The song’s distinctive elements include its orchestral string arrangement (unusual for blues at the time), B.B.’s precise, emotional guitar phrasing, and the subtle jazz-influenced rhythm section.
The track’s crossover success helped elevate King from blues circuit fame to international recognition, cementing his legacy as one of music’s most influential guitarists and vocalists.
The Thrill is Gone Lyrics
VERSE 1
The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away
You know you done me wrong baby
And you’ll be sorry someday
VERSE 2
The thrill is gone
It’s gone away from me
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away from me
Although I’ll still live on
But so lonely I’ll be
VERSE 3
The thrill is gone
It’s gone away for good
Oh, the thrill is gone baby
Baby its gone away for good
Someday I know I’ll be over it all baby
Just like I know a man should
VERSE 4
You know I’m free, free now baby
I’m free from your spell
I’m free, free now
I’m free from your spell
And now that it’s over
All I can do is wish you well
Meaning Behind the Lyrics
With its haunting string arrangements and B.B. King’s expressive guitar work, “The Thrill Is Gone” resonates with anyone who’s experienced heartbreak.
Though the lyrics are straightforward, they capture the entire emotional journey of moving beyond a failed relationship.
First Verse
The thrill is gone …… And you’ll be sorry someday
The opening lines establish that the excitement and passion in a relationship are completely gone. B.B. directly accuses his former lover of wrongdoing and suggests they’ll regret their actions someday.
Second Verse
The thrill is gone …… But so lonely I’ll be
This verse deepens the personal impact of the lost relationship. When he sings “Although I’ll still live on/But so lonely I’ll be,” he acknowledges that while life continues after heartbreak, it will be a diminished, solitary existence. This reflects the emptiness that follows when love has died.
Third Verse
The thrill is gone …… Just like I know a man should
Here, the singer accepts the permanence of the situation with “It’s gone away for good.” The line “Someday I know I’ll be over it all baby/Just like I know a man should” shows his determination to eventually heal, suggesting a masculine stoicism in the face of emotional pain.
Final Verse
You know I’m free, free now baby….. All I can do is wish you well
The last verse represents a turning point – despite the pain, there’s liberation. “I’m free, free now baby/I’m free from your spell” indicates he now sees the relationship as something that had entrapped him.
The song beautifully captures the complex emotions of a breakup: loss, loneliness, acceptance, and ultimately, a bittersweet freedom.
Live Performance of The Song
Similar Songs to “The Thrill Is Gone”
If you loved the emotional depth and blues mastery of B.B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone,” here are some other classic blues tracks that capture similar feelings of heartbreak, loss, and resilience with powerful vocal and guitar work.
-
“Stormy Monday” – T-Bone Walker: This blues standard shares the same melancholic mood and features remarkable guitar work that influenced B.B. King himself.
-
“I’d Rather Go Blind” – Etta James: A soul-blues masterpiece that captures the raw pain of seeing a former lover with someone new. Like “The Thrill Is Gone,” it deals with the aftermath of love lost, but from a different perspective.
-
“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers: Though more soul than pure blues, this track shares the emotional honesty and stripped-down quality that makes “The Thrill Is Gone” so powerful.
-
“Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” – Eric Clapton: Clapton’s version of this blues classic captures the same sense of reflection and wisdom after suffering.
-
“Everyday I Have the Blues” – B.B. King: Another B.B. King classic that showcases his signature guitar style and vocal expression. While “The Thrill Is Gone” is about a specific lost love, this song broadens the emotional landscape to encompass daily struggles.
These songs all share B.B. King’s ability to convey deep emotion through both voice and instrument, creating timeless expressions of the human experience.
Similar Artists Like B.B. King
If you enjoy B.B. King’s powerful blues guitar, soulful vocals, and emotional storytelling, you’ll likely appreciate these similar artists who share his blues sensibility and musical mastery.
-
Buddy Guy – Known for classics like “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues” and “Stone Crazy”, Guy’s performances feature the same technical brilliance and emotional intensity as King’s.
-
Albert King – His distinctive bent notes and powerful string-bending technique on songs like “Born Under a Bad Sign” and “Crosscut Saw” will appeal to fans of B.B.’s precise guitar work.
-
Muddy Waters – The father of Chicago blues whose electric slide guitar and powerful vocals on tracks like “Hoochie Coochie Man” and “Mannish Boy” established the blueprint that B.B. King would later build upon.
-
Eric Clapton – His work on songs like “Crossroads” and “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” showcases the blues virtuosity that fans of King will appreciate.
-
Freddie King – Known as “The Texas Cannonball,” Freddie combined blues with elements of soul and rock. His instrumental prowess on tracks like “Hideaway” and “San-Ho-Zay” offers the same level of guitar mastery that defines B.B. King’s legacy.
These artists all share B.B. King’s commitment to the blues tradition while bringing their own distinctive voices to this powerful musical form.
Before you go, you may also enjoy our other guide on song lyrics and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Made King’s Version of The Song so Special?
King’s version stood out because of the orchestral string arrangements, his distinctive guitar vibrato, and emotional vocal delivery.
Did “The Thrill is Gone” Win Any Awards?
Yes, B.B. King’s version won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1970.
How Did This Song Impact B.B. King’s Career?
“The Thrill Is Gone” became King’s signature song and his biggest commercial success, reaching #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. It introduced him to mainstream audiences and cemented his legacy as the most influential blues artist of his era.
