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"The Thrill is Gone” – nothing could be further from the sentiment of this title than hearing B.B. King perform this tune with Phish. After jamming in and out of “Everyday I Have the Blues” during the 2/24/03 show in New Jersey, B.B. King and Phish electrified the audience with “The Thrill is Gone.” This is another song often credited to B.B. King, but was originally written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell.

B.B. King recorded it in 1970 and it became his most popular crossover hit, going to #15 in the pop charts and sweeping college campuses. This marked a turning point in blues history as more diverse crowds were finally discovering the blues. Everyone can relate to a song that is the perfect expression of a failed relationship. Regardless if it was the King’s voice or Lucille’s, this song reaches into one’s soul. Tracy Chapman does a cover of this song that is equally riveting!

Watch The Thrill is Gone on YouTube B.B. King, "The Thrill is Gone" – 11/25/71

For those music lovers who appreciate song standards, the B.B. King jam with Phish was a dream come true. Goosebumps on my arms did not interfere with the groove that was coming from the stage. While a few folks complained about “too much B.B. King,” that is comparable to “too much Phish.” Impossible.

(Hawkins, Darnell)
© Universal Music Careers (BMI)

The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away
You know you done me wrong baby
And you'll be sorry someday

The thrill is gone
It's gone away from me
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away from me
Although I'll still live on
But so lonely I'll be

The thrill is gone
It's gone away for good
Oh, the thrill is gone baby
Baby its gone away for good
Someday I know I'll be over it all baby
Just like I know a man should

You know I'm free, free now baby
I'm free from your spell
I'm free, free now
I'm free from your spell
And now that it's over
All I can do is wish you well