Born Graham Barnes in Nottingham England, Alvin Lee took up guitar at the age of thirteen. By the age of fifteen he had formed the group Jaybirds. Following in the footsteps of earlier beat groups such as the Beatles, the Jaybirds played the clubs in Hamburg, Germany to great local acclaim. On returning to London in 1966, the group changed its name to Ten Years After.
Ten Years After scored hits with many albums and became a popular touring band. The band gained note in America after their appearance at Woodstock in 1969.
Lee's guitar work on ‘I’m Going Home’ on the 'Woodstock' album and film remains a standard for many rock guitarists to emulate.
Ten Years After played a mix of rock and blues tinged with jazz. In 1973, Lee left Ten Years After to pursue a solo career.
His first work was a collaborative effort with American gospel singer Mylon LeFevre on an album entitled On The Road To Freedom; other artists on the album included George Harrison, Mick Fleetwood and Steve Winwood. A year later he formed the band Alvin Lee & Company and released a double live album recorded at the Rainbow in London, In Flight.
Lee continued to record albums and play live until his death in 2013, thrilling audiences with his guitar virtuoso and nimble fingered fret work.
Having recorded over twenty albums, some of the key solo works Alvin Lee has recorded are:
1973 On The Road To Feedom
1974 In Flight
1975 Pump Iron
1976 Let it Rock
1978 Rocket Fuel
1979 Ride On
1980 Freefall
1981 RX5
1986 Detroit Diesel
1992 Zoom
1994 I Hear You Rockin
1996 Live In Vienna
2004 In Tennessee
2007 Saguitar
2012 Still On The Road To freedom
Official Website: Alvin Lee
You can also see Alvin Lee & Ten Years After and / or Alvin Lee & Co and / or Ten Years After and or Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later and / or The Alvin Lee Band on Last.fm.
Moving the Blues
Alvin Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wishing I could be with you
When you're sitting looking pretty
There ain't nothing I won't do
When I'm sitting all alone Baby
You're so far away
So I'm thinking 'bout you Baby
I'm moving the blues, I'm turning it out
I'm taking it down, I'm shaking it out
I've paid all my dues, I've nothing to loose
I'm losing the blues
Well I'm sitting all alone Baby
Wishing I could hold you tight
When I think about you Baby
Everything is gonna be allright
Well I'm sitting here thinking Baby
Wishing I could be with you
When you're sitting looking pretty
There ain't nothing I won't do
I'm moving the blues, I'm turning it down
I'm shaking it up, I'll turn it around
I've done paying dues, I've nothing to loose
I'm losing the blues
Alvin Lee's song "Moving the Blues" is a love ballad that speaks of the distance between the singer and his love, and how thinking about her helps to overcome his blues. The song's structure is simple, with three verses that each start with the same phrase: "Well I’m sitting here thinking Baby / Wishing I could be with you / When you’re sitting looking pretty / There ain’t nothing I won’t do." These lines speak of the singer’s longing for his love's company, and his willingness to do anything to be with her - a sentiment that is common in many love songs.
The chorus of the song is where the central theme comes to the fore, with the singer proclaiming that he's "moving the blues away." The lyrics suggest that by thinking about his love and imagining being with her, the singer is able to forget his troubles and move on from the blues that he had been experiencing. The repetition of the line "I’m moving the blues" drives this message home, reinforcing the idea that the singer is not going to let his sadness overwhelm him.
Overall, "Moving the Blues" is a simple but effective love song that captures the feeling of missing someone and the power of love to overcome sadness. The song's melody is easy on the ears, and Alvin Lee's guitar playing adds a touch of soulfulness to the lyrics. It's a great example of how a song can convey powerful emotions with just a few simple lines.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm sitting here thinking Baby
I am currently in deep thought, reflecting on a specific subject, Baby.
Wishing I could be with you
I desire to be in your presence, Baby.
When you're sitting looking pretty
Your beauty is captivating, Baby.
There ain't nothing I won't do
I will go to any extent to satisfy you, Baby.
When I'm sitting all alone Baby
At times, I am by myself, and I long for you, Baby.
You're so far away
You are geographically distant from me, Baby.
So I'm thinking 'bout you Baby
As a result, I am pondering and reminiscing on thoughts of you, Baby.
And you're moving my blues away
Your dynamic presence and company alleviate any negative feelings, Baby.
I'm moving the blues, I'm turning it out
I am transforming and defeating my sadness and sorrow, and I am letting my emotions out, Baby.
I'm taking it down, I'm shaking it out
I am calming myself while simultaneously releasing any internal tension, Baby.
I've paid all my dues, I've nothing to loose
I have handled all of my responsibilities and obligations, freeing myself from any constraints, Baby.
I'm losing the blues
I am finally overcoming any negative emotions and feelings, Baby.
Well I'm sitting all alone Baby
At present, I am by myself and yearning for your presence, Baby.
Wishing I could hold you tight
I desire to embrace you, Baby.
When I think about you Baby
Reflecting on memories and thoughts of you brings me happiness, Baby.
Everything is gonna be allright
I am confident that everything will turn out favorably, Baby.
I'm moving the blues, I'm turning it down
I am triumphing over my negative emotions and defeating them, Baby.
I'm shaking it up, I'll turn it around
I am attempting to change my outlook on my emotions and to ultimately switch my circumstances, Baby.
I've done paying dues, I've nothing to loose
I have fulfilled all of my responsibilities and have no restrictions, Baby.
I'm losing the blues
I am finally overcoming any negative emotions and feelings, Baby.
Contributed by Sebastian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.