You know, you get the strangest feelin'
Yeah, when a guitar plays the blues
You know, you get the strangest little feelin'
Yeah, when a guitar plays the blues

You know, your body gets a message
Yeah, your soul has got to move

You know, you might even bat your eye
Yeah, you might even snatch or cry
Yeah, the feelin' you're feelin' within you
Well, you know, you just can't hide

You got to bend it like that
You kinda squeeze it like this
And it reaches down inside you
Yeah, your soul let just can't resist

'Cause you get the strangest kinda feelin'
Yeah, when that guitar plays the blues
You know, your body gets a message
Yeah, your soul, your soul
Your soul has got to move

And when the music's over
It's time to turn out the lights
You know the blues goes home with ya
Yeah, that soothes you through the night

You get the strange kinda feelin'
Yeah, when that guitar plays the blues
You know, your body gets the message
And your soul, your soul, your soul
Your soul has got to move

Overall Meaning

"When a Guitar Plays the Blues" is a blues song that evokes the emotions and sensations that come with listening to the guitar. The lyrics suggest that the guitar has a mystical ability to communicate with the listener's soul, eliciting a feeling that cannot be ignored. The first verse describes this sensation as a strange feeling that might cause one to bat their eyes or even cry. The guitar's melody seems to reach inside the listener's body and connect with their soul, prompting physical movement that can range from subtle swaying to overt dancing. Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that this connection with the guitar doesn't end when the music stops. The blues leaves with the listeners and provides them with solace long into the night.

Buchanan's lyrics capture an essential element of blues music - the emotional and experiential aspects that go beyond particular lyrics or verse structures. The song stresses the importance of feeling the music rather than simply hearing it. It is not just about the specific words that are sung, it's about the way that the music makes the listener feel. The guitar is not just an instrument in this song; it's a conduit for communication between the listener and the blues.

Line by Line Meaning

You know, you get the strangest feelin'
The music played by the guitar creates an unusual sensation.

Yeah, when a guitar plays the blues
The song played by Roy Buchanan on his guitar is a blues tune.

You know, your body gets a message
The music causes a physical reaction in the body.

Yeah, your soul has got to move
The music also has an emotional impact on the person.

You know, you might even bat your eye
The music is so powerful that it can elicit an involuntary physical response such as blinking.

Yeah, you might even snatch or cry
The music can also cause the person to cry uncontrollably or become overwhelmed with emotion.

Yeah, the feelin' you're feelin' within you
The feeling experienced is deep and intense.

Well, you know, you just can't hide
The person cannot control or suppress their emotional reaction to the music.

You got to bend it like that
The person needs to move their body to the music in a certain way.

You kinda squeeze it like this
The person needs to contort their body in a particular fashion to fully experience the music.

And it reaches down inside you
The music affects the person on a deep, visceral level.

Yeah, your soul just can't resist
The music is so powerful that even the person's soul is moved by it.

'Cause you get the strangest kinda feelin'
The music evokes an indescribable feeling that cannot be accurately put into words.

And when the music's over
When the song comes to an end.

It's time to turn out the lights
It's time to go to sleep.

You know the blues goes home with ya
The feeling and impact of the blues music stays with the person even after they stop listening to it.

Yeah, that soothes you through the night
The feeling of the blues is comforting and helps the person sleep peacefully.

You know, your body gets the message
The music sends a clear message to the body.

And your soul, your soul, your soul
The music deeply affects the soul of the person.

Your soul has got to move
The music compels the soul and body of the person to move in response.

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