(What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue

(What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue
General information
Feature films	The Color Purple (2023)
Composer	Fats Waller
Lyrics	Harry Brooks Andy Razaf
Performers	Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
Preceded by	"Miss Celie's Pants"
Followed by	"I'm Here"

"(What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue" is a song featured in the 2023 film The Color Purple, directed by Blitz Bazawule and based on the musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker. It was originally composed by Fats Waller with lyrics by Harry Brooks and Andy Razaf in 1929 and introduced in the Broadway musical Hot Chocolates by Edith Wilson. The song is a jazz standard that expresses the pain and suffering of African Americans in the early 20th century.

Lyrics

Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
Feel like Old Ned, wish I was dead
All my life through, I've been so black and blue

Even the mouse ran from my house
They laugh at you, and scorn you too
What did I do to be so black and blue?

I'm white - inside - but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is in my face

How would it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?

v - e - d

Media The Color Purple (soundtrack/video) • The Color Purple (2023) (soundtrack/video) Books: The Color Purple Characters Celie Harris Johnson • Nettie Harris • Shug Avery • Miss Millie • Sofia • Albert Johnson • Harpo Johnson • Mary Agnes • Mama • Ol' Mister Johnson • Samuel Avery • First Lady • Alphonso Harris • Henry Broadnax • Grady Locations Georgia • Africa • Memphis • Harpo's Juke Joint • Celie's Fancy Pants • Mister's House • Elmira Movie Theater • General Store • Deadwood Beach • Shug's House • Tennessee Songs 1985 film: Makidada • Junk Bucket Blues • The Dirty Dozens • Miss Celie's Blues (Sister) • Don't Make Me No Never Mind (Slow Drag) • Heaven Belongs to You • Old Ship of Zion • Maybe God Is Tryin' To Tell You Somethin' • Hot Lips • Scarification Chant and Katutoku Corinne • Body and Soul 2023 film: Huckleberry Pie • Mysterious Ways • She Be Mine • Keep It Movin' • Lily of the Field • Workin' • Too Beautiful for Words • Hell No! • Arkansas Blues • Shug Avery • Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) • Shake That Thing • Dear God - Shug • Prove It On Me Blues • (It Will Have To Do) Until The Real Thing Comes Along • Push Da Button • What About Love? • Agoo • Heaven Help This Heart Of Mine • My Faith Looks Up To Thee • Miss Celie's Pants • (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue • I'm Here • The Color Purple • Superpower (I) Music From and Inspired By: Risk It All • No Love Lost • Lifeline • Finally • Keep Pushin' • When I Can't Do Better • There Will Come a Day • Any Worse • You See Me • All I Need • 100 • Eternity • No Time • Girls