Lee first experienced commercial success as the lead guitarist with Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds. Quitting the Thunderbirds in 1968, Lee joined Heads Hands & Feet in 1969 until the breakup in 1973.
In 1974 Lee left the UK for Los Angeles, California, and joined The Crickets through his friend bassist Rick Grech (of Blind Faith). The band cut three albums together including A Long Way From Lubbock. By then Lee was receiving many offers of session work. In 1976, Lee was asked to join Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, replacing one of his heroes, James Burton, who was returning to perform with Elvis Presley. Starting in 1978, Lee worked for five years with Eric Clapton, playing and singing for a live concert recording at the Budokan in Japan.
Lee was responsible for The Everly Brothers 1983 reunion concert and was its musical director. He played regularly with the Everlys for over twenty years.
In 1987, Lee was invited by Gerry Hogan to headline at a steel guitar festival in Newbury, Berkshire. Lee was at first intimidated by the prospect of having to front a band, however, the gig was successful and he now tours with Hogan's Heroes on a regular basis.
A new Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes album entitled Like This was released in spring 2008 to coincide with their European tour. Lee continues to work in the studio and tours on a regular basis with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings.
Country Boy
Albert Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shinin' up through his shoes.
Underneath I'm just a cotton picker,
Pickin' out a mess of blues
Show me where I start.
Find a horse and cart.
I'm just a country boy,
Country boy at heart.
Pushing facts in a file.
But I'd rather be a haul collar,
Shooing foot home in style.
Show me where I start.
Find a horse and cart.
I'm just a country boy,
Country boy at heart.
Instrumental.
I may look like a city slicker,
Shinin' up through his shoes.
Underneath I'm just a cotton picker,
Pickin' out a mess of blues.
Show me where I start.
Find a horse and cart.
I'm just a country boy,
Country boy at heart.
In Albert Lee's song "Country Boy", the lyrics are about his identity crisis between being a city slicker and a country boy. He sings about how he may look and act like a city slicker, but deep down he is just a cotton picker picking out a mess of blues. Lee longs for the simple life of the country, preferring to ride in a horse and cart rather than push papers in an office. He repeats the chorus twice, emphasizing his country roots and that he will always be a country boy at heart regardless of how he may seem on the outside.
The lyrics of this song exemplify the struggle that people can have with their identity and what it means to be true to oneself. Lee's use of metaphorical language, such as "shinin' up through his shoes" and "pickin' out a mess of blues", beautifully creates an image of Lee's conflicted sense of self. This vulnerability in his lyrics is a testament to his talent as a songwriter.
Line by Line Meaning
I may look like a city slicker,
Shinin' up through his shoes.
Despite my polished appearance, I come from humble roots.
Underneath I'm just a cotton picker,
Pickin' out a mess of blues
Although I may seem like a sophisticated urbanite, I am still an old-fashioned farmer at heart.
Show me where I start.
Find a horse and cart.
All I need is a simple life that revolves around manual labor.
I'm just a country boy,
Country boy at heart.
No matter how far I stray from my roots, I will always see myself as one of the people from whom I came.
I may look like a bank teller,
Pushing facts in a file.
Though my education and career path have led me to a suit-and-tie job, I haven't forgotten my rustic upbringing.
But I'd rather be a haul collar,
Shooing foot home in style.
If given the choice, I would prefer to work long hours on a farm and be rewarded with the satisfaction of a hard day's work.
Instrumental.
This section does not contain lyrics, but rather a musical interlude.
I may look like a city slicker,
Shinin' up through his shoes.
I may have traded in my overalls for business attire, but my heart still lies in the country.
Underneath I'm just a cotton picker,
Pickin' out a mess of blues.
My rural roots cannot be erased by the trappings of modern life.
Show me where I start.
Find a horse and cart.
I'm just a country boy,
Country boy at heart.
At the end of the day, I am happiest when I can return to the simplicity of country living.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: KENNY LEE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
idgievid
This guy is phenomenal. I've had the priviledge of seeing him live on a few occasions and even meeting him once. He's the most unassuming guy, so nice and down to earth for a guy with such an amazing talent. This was a great vid.
pettsonse
Had the opporrunity bo meet him once, between sets.
The nicest and most helpful guy you'd ever come across...
John Proctor
When are people going to give this guy the recognition he deserves. Absolutely amazing. God bless you Albert!
William Price
Obviously his playing is incredible, but this is just such a phenomenal song! I love the vocal harmonies.
barry harding
So under rated. One of the greatest guitarist without a huge ego.
Jean-Paul Derrée
Please stop with « most underrated » or « the GOAT » !! You can see this kind of comment on any video of a famous artist. In the end of the day, are they all underrated or all GOAT ? Ridiculous. And I love Albert Lee ...
barry harding
@Jean-Paul Derrée easy tiger!
11Kralle
There's obviously no time for Albert Lee to maintain a huge ego...
rodrigo neuman
there you go. the mandatory "underrated" comment present on every youtube video lol
William Jordan
Guitarists*