Verse:
My buddy came by upset … I was racing to leave for work 
He said his girl had thrown him out … he didn’t know where to turn 
I told him, “You chill here … there’s a guitar in my room. 
Take it … pour your sorrows out … in the 8 bar blues.” 

I called at lunch; he said, “Took your guitar … went to town. 
Things were looking up … by the 3rd bar I found …
I poured out my sorrows … each time they filled my glass
Now I’m halfway through the 8 bars … I just gotta ask …

Chorus:
Are you sure this’ll help me? (BGV: Are you sure this’ll help me?) 
Tell me what I’m doing wrong (BGV: Tell me what I’m doing wrong) 
I’m working the 8 Bar Blues … the way you told me to
But I ain’t feeling any better … and she’s still gone … she’s gone!”  

Verse:
I heard he hit two honky-tonks and the Polynesian Lounge  
Cowboy hats and Tiki lamps … strange things going down
He ended at the Crawl On Inn … then called me up to say 
“I’ve done all 8 bars … and I’m barely seeing straight.

Chorus:
Are you sure this’ll help me? (BGV: Are you sure this’ll help me?) 
Tell me what I’m doing wrong (BGV: Tell me what I’m doing wrong) 
I’m working the 8 Bar Blues … the way you told me to
But I ain’t feeling any better … and she’s still gone!”  

Bridge:
There must be something special ‘bout which 8 bars you choose 
Or maybe I should tip more … ain’t that called paying your dues?

Chorus:
Are you sure this’ll help me? (BGV: Are you sure this’ll help me?) 
Tell me what I’m doing wrong (BGV: Tell me what I’m doing wrong) 
I’m working the 8 Bar Blues … the way you told me to
But I ain’t feeling any better … and she’s still gone!”