BB King ft. Tracy Chapman: "The Thrill is Gone" (1997)

"The Thrill Is Gone" is a blues song written by Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins in 1951 and popularized by B.B. King in 1970.

The song was first recorded by Roy Hawkins, its co-author, and became a minor hit for the musician. B.B. King recorded his version of the song in June 1969 for his album Completely Well, released the same year. The song's polished production and use of strings marked a departure from both the original song and King's previous material. When released as a single in December 1969, the song became the biggest hit of King's career (#3 R&B / #15 Pop) and his signature song. B. B. King's recording earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and a Grammy Hall of Fame award in 1998. King's version of the song was also placed at number 183 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs ever. Memorable live versions of the song were included on King's albums Live in Cook County Jail (1971), Bobby Bland and B.B. King Together Again...Live (1976), and Live at San Quentin (1991).

- Lyrics:

The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone
I can see it in your eyes
I can hear it in your sighs
Feel your touch and realize
The thrill is gone

MONOLOGUE: YEAH, YEAH! The night is cold, YEAH! For love is old, yeah,
that's what I thought, YEAH! Yeah, love was grand when it was brand-new,
YEAH! Birds were singin' and all them skies were blue, YEAH! Now it doesn't
appeal to you.. YEAH, darlin', the thrill is gone, YEAH, YEAH!!

This is the end
So why pretend
And let it linger on?


** Other Version:

The Thrill Is Gone
B. B. King

Lead

1. The thrill is gone, the thrill is gone away,
The thrill is gone, the thrill is gone away,
You know you done me wrong,
And you're gonna be sorry some day,

2. The thrill is gone, it's gone away from me,
The thrill is gone, it's gone away from me,
I know I'll still go on,
Some way,

Lead

3. The thrill is gone, the thrill is gone for good,
The thrill is gone, the thrill is gone for good,
And someday I'll be over you,
Just like a good man should,

4. I'm free, free, free, I'm free from your spell,
I'm free, free, free, I'm free from your spell,
And now that it's all over, baby,
All I can do is wish you well,

Lead & out

The thrill is gone