The two original songs have lyrical differences, such as in the first few verses: "Worried Life Blues" by Big Maceo (1941):[2] Oh lordy lord, oh lordy lord It hurts me so bad, for us to part But someday baby, I ain't gonna worry my life anymore "Someday Baby Blues" by Sleepy John Estes (1935):[3] I don't care how long you go, I don't care how long you stay But that good kind treatment, bring you back home someday Someday baby, you ain't gonna worry my mind anymore Over the years the differences have become blurred by various cover versions of the songs, which use elements from both songs, often combined with new lyrics and variations in the music.

Big Maceo recorded "Worried Life Blues" June 24, 1941, shortly after arriving in Chicago.

The song is a moderate-tempo eight-bar blues, with Maceo on vocal and piano, accompanied by frequent collaborator, guitarist and fellow recording artist, Tampa Red[1] and bassist Ransom Knowling.

Music writer Keith Shadwick identifies it a major hit[4] and blues historian Jim O'Neal notes that it "eclipsed the song ['Someday Baby'] that inspired it".

[9] In 1955, Muddy Waters' recording of it as "Trouble No More" in a Chicago blues style reached number seven on the R&B chart.