Born Under A Bad Sign Guitar Lesson (Eric Clapton)

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Here’s a timeless staple of the blues.
In fact, I think every blues guitar player should know how to play at least one version of it. This gem has been covered by many great artists.
But the first version was released by one of the kings of the blues, Mr. Albert King.
Below we’ll dive into the song’s history, and how to play a few classic versions.
So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Born Under A Bad Sign” guitar lesson.
Who wrote Born Under A Bad Sign?
"Born Under a Bad Sign" was written by Booker T. Jones and William Bell. Booker T. Jones, a multi-instrumentalist and leader of the band Booker T. & the M.G.'s, composed the music. William Bell, a renowned soul singer and songwriter, wrote the lyrics.
The song's lyrics describe a man who believes his life has been plagued by bad luck since birth. The phrase "born under a bad sign" suggests astrological misfortune, and being born into the blues.
The song was first recorded by Albert King at the Stax Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee. It was released as a single in 1967 and also appeared on King’s album of the same name, "Born Under a Bad Sign," which was released the same year.
The recording featured Booker T. & the M.G.'s as the backing band, with additional horns provided by the Memphis Horns. Steve Cropper (guitar), Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass), and Al Jackson Jr. (drums) were part of the session, delivering an iconic and influential performance.
The song helped establish Albert King as a major figure in blues and significantly boosted his career. The track became one of King's signature songs and a staple in his live performances.
Born Under a Bad Sign" has been covered by numerous artists across different genres, including notable versions by Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Rodgers, and Etta James. Each rendition has brought something unique, further etching the song's status as a blues standard.
What Key Is Born Under A Bad Sign?
Albert King’s version is recorded in the key of C#. While Eric Clapton’s version with Cream is in the key of G.
Both are in major keys, but they are based on dominant 7th sharp nine chords. Which is a common sound in the blues. This blends the tonalities of major and minor. But again, Albert King is in C# major, and Eric Clapton with Cream is in G major.
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