Guy is known for his showmanship; for example, he plays with drumsticks and walks into the audience whilst playing, the latter being a gimmick he picked up from a local blues guitarist at an early age (joining or leaping into the audience has also long been common in both American popular and gospel music, as in the earlier work of Big Jay McNeely or the Dixie Hummingbirds).
Guy grew up in Louisiana where he learned to play guitar. In the early 1950s he began performing with bands in Baton Rouge. Soon after moving to Chicago in 1957, Guy fell under the influence of "Mighty" Muddy Waters. In 1958 he won a record contract with Artistic Records after beating the West Side guitarists Magic Sam and Otis Rush in a "Head Cutting Contest" at the Blue Flame Club. Soon afterwards he recorded for the Cobra label.
In the early 1960s, Guy was a session guitarist for Chess Records. He recorded on Junior Wells sessions for Delmark Records under the pseudonym Friendly Chap in 1965 and 1966. His career took off during a blues revival period in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was sparked by Eric Clapton's request that Guy be part of the '24 nights' all-star blues guitar lineup at London's Royal Albert Hall and Guy's subsequent signing with Silvertone Records.
Ain
Buddy Guy Lyrics
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It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she gone
She's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away
Wonder this time where he's gone
Wonder if he's gone to stay
This house just ain't no home
Anytime he goes away
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I think I should leave the young thing alone
'Cause ain't no sunshine when she gone
Ain't no sunshine when she gone
Only darkness everyday
Ain't no sunshine when she gone
This house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away (ain't no sunshine)
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away (anytime)
Anytime she goes away (ain't no sunshine)
Anytime she goes away
Anytime he goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
In the song "Ain't No Sunshine," Buddy Guy and Tracy Chapman both sing about the feeling of emptiness that arises when their loved ones are not around. The melody and the lyrics perfectly depict the loneliness that one feels when the person they care about goes away. The repeated phrase, "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone," symbolizes the darkness that fills one's life when their lover is not present. The first verse talks about a lover who always stays away for too long, and the second verse wonders if the other lover has left for good.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no sunshine when she gone
The absence of her presence results in a lack of light in my life
It's not warm when she's away
Her warmth is gone when she's not here
She's always gone too long
Her absence is extended and feels longer than it should be
Anytime she goes away
Every time she leaves, it feels like something is missing
Wonder this time where he's gone
I'm curious about where he is this time and what it means
Wonder if he's gone to stay
I'm wondering if this time he will be gone for good
This house just ain't no home
Without him, the place where we live doesn't feel like home
I know, I know, I know, I know
I have a deep sense of understanding and conviction about this situation
I think I should leave the young thing alone
I'm considering leaving this young person because I know their absence will be difficult
Only darkness everyday
Without her, my days feel dark and joyless
Anytime she goes away (ain't no sunshine)
Her absence creates a feeling of emptiness and sadness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind