Ball And Chain lyrics by Social Distortion, 1 meaning, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
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Social Distortion – Ball And Chain lyrics
Well it's been ten years, and a thousand tears
And look at the mess I'm in-
A broken nose and a broken heart,
An empty bottle of gin
Well I sit and I pray
In my broken down Chevrolet-
While I'm singin' to myself
There's got to be another way
Chorus:
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I've searched and I've searched
To find the perfect life-
A brand new car and a brand new suit
I even got me a little wife-
But wherever I have gone
I was sure to find myself there-
You can run all your life
But not go anywhere
Chorus:
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
I'm sick and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'll pass the bar on the way
To my dingy hotel room-
I spent all my money
Been drinkin' since a half past noon-
I'll wake there in the mornin'
Or maybe in the county jail-
Times are hard getting harder
I'm born to lose and destined to fail-
Chorus:
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
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Songwriters: Michael Ness
Ball And Chain lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., O/B/O DistroKid

Ball And Chain meanings

  • b
    + 6
    beaz216
    As Mike Ness has said himself, "B&C" is basically a 'street prayer' from a desperate addict/alcoholic who's literally begging for recovery from the disease. I think the substance here is clearly alcohol (from the 'empty bottle of gin' reference) but the "B&C" could obviously be anything from booze, to drugs, or even to an obsessive love affair---Nessie clearly left this open for interpretation, which makes the prayer all the more powerful, since any listener can assign any real-life tangible referent to the symbolic ball & chain. I think this is probably Social D's most powerful (post- Mommie's Little Monster lp, of course!) song, with the pleading vocal as the music all stops for that super emotional and heavy a capella chorus--- as the speaker/addict *begs* for strength & redemption. You can tell this ain't the first time our speaker has tried to quit, & prayed for someone/ something/ (God?) to "...take away the Ball & Chain," and sadly that it prob'ly won't be the last time, either. Great lyrics under an amazing vocal delivery make this a classic S. D. Song, & a staple for anyone who has struggled with substance abuse in their own lives.
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    • b
      + 6
      beaz216
      As Mike Ness has said himself, "B&C" is basically a 'street prayer' from a desperate... Read more →

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