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't No Sunshine featuring Tracy Chapman
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The song Ain't No Sunshine by Buddy Guy (feat. Tracy Chapman) portrays the melancholic feeling of losing someone you love. The lyrics suggest that life becomes dull and hopeless when loved ones are not around. The verses have a similar structure that builds on the repetition of the phrase "ain't no sunshine when she's gone" and "anytime she goes away." Guy's voice echoes with the pain of his lost love, while Chapman's backing vocals add a soft, soothing tone to the track.
The lyrics tell the story of a lover who has walked out the door and the emptiness that lingers in their absence. The singer wonders where his lover has gone and expresses the worry that they might not come back. The songs also switch their subject to a male lover who leaves a house empty and void of warmth when he's gone. The chorus emphasizes that when his lover's around, everything is bright and lively, but when she's not, life is devoid of warmth and sunshine. The song ends with a warning to leave the younger lover alone, as the singer has felt the pain of losing someone he loves and doesn't want to go through it again.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no sunshine when she gone
Life is gloomy when she is away
It's not warm when she's away
Life feels cold and dull when she is not around
She's always gone too long
She is away for extended periods of time
Anytime she goes away
Every time she leaves, things go downhill
Wonder this time where he's gone
I wonder where he went this time
Wonder if he's gone to stay
I wonder if he left for good
This house just ain't no home
Without her, this house feels empty and sad
I know, I know, I know, I know
I am aware of the situation
I think I should leave the young thing alone
I should not pursue a relationship with a younger person
Only darkness everyday
Life feels bleak and joyless in her absence
Anytime she goes away (ain't no sunshine)
Whenever she is not around, it feels miserable
Anytime she goes away (anytime)
Each time she leaves, things get worse
Anytime he goes away
Every time he leaves, things go downhill
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andreacg6229
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away
Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
And 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
Hey, I ought to leave the young thing alone
But ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness everyday
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
@teestaghosh9935
Ain't no sunshine when she gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's 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
Ain't no sunshine when he's gone
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
@airamj.cruz.7711
Wow I love this version... super!
Two unique n beautiful voices
@marcoadan1
I just discovered this song yesterday and I will play it till I can't stand it anymore.
@shakeAbooty88
This is so solid and mellow.
@LocoDirewolf
Nothing beats the original, but this is the best cover that I've heard.
@TheAzraf123
so true brother
@MarcoQueso1
I prefer JOHN MAYER's cover live at Crossroads 2010
@avlinrbdig5715
This beats the original. The song overall isn't better.. but Buddy guy's voice definitely is!
@gokussonfrombulmagokuma4144
Listen to young mj sing it, youโll be blown away
@ThePeruvianLlama
ahhh yesssssss, heard this before the original. This is just so much more soothing. You can hear the quitar speak.
@stuartfairley2448
Correct best cover I've heard