Blog #2--How Music Moves Us

In Invisible Man, the invisible man is comforted/inspired/moved by Jazz and The Blues while living in his "hole" underground. He is particularly moved by Louis Armstrong's "What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue." For this blog entry, discuss how music may have, at one point or another, comforted/inspired/moved you. Then, read the lyrics to "What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue" below and discuss how this particular song is significant for the invisible man and his situation.

What Did I Do To Be So Black and Blue
Words by Andy Razaf and Music by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Harry Brooks
Copyright ©1929 Santly Brothers, Inc. and renewed by Chappell & Co., Inc.
Performed by Louis Armstrong

Verse: Out in the street, shufflin' feet,
Couples passin' two by two,
While here am I, left high and dry,
Black, and 'cause I'm black I'm blue.
Browns and yellers, all have fellers,
Gentlemen prefer them light,
Wish I could fade, can't make the grade,
Nothing but dark days in sight:

Chorus: Cold, empty bed, Springs hard as lead,
Pains in my head, Feel like old Ned.
What did I do, to be so Black And Blue?
No joys for me, No company,
Even the mouse ran from my house,
All my life through, I've been so Black And Blue.

I'm white inside, It don't help my case
'Cause I can't hide, what is on my face, oh!
I'm so forlorn, Life's just a thorn,
My heart is torn, Why was I born?
What did I do, to be so Black And Blue?

'Cause you're black, Folks think you lack
They laugh at you, And scorn you too,
What did I do, to be so Black And Blue?
When you are near, they laugh and sneer,
Set you aside and you're denied,
What did I do, to be so Black And Blue?

How sad I am, each day I feel worse,
My mark of Ham seems to be a curse!
How will it end? Ain't got a friend,
My only sin is my skin.
What did I do, to be so Black And Blue?