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.
Bad Day
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pour myself a drink
Too tired to listen
I'm too tired to think
You start in on me
Try'na pick a fight
First thing out of your mouth
Where was you last night
Don't go there, baby
You better watch just what you say
Yeah, you pushed the wrong button
You know I've had a bad day
I was stopped by the police
But just bein' who I am
They said, why you goin' in such a hurry
I said "Wooh! Guilty, damn"
Cost 300 dollars
Just to bail myself out
I get home late for dinner
You start runnin' your damn mouth
I said, don't go there, baby
There'll be hell you have to pay
Yeah, you better walk on eggshells
You know I've had a bad day
You know it
You know I love you, baby
But right now, I need some space
Stop pointin' your finger
All up in my face
Don't go there, baby
Shut your mouth and walk away
You looking at a time bomb
You know I've had a bad day
Don't go there, baby (Brrrr)
You know I've had a bad day
You know I've
Had a bad day
What did I say?
Brrr, go to hell baby
This is what I sound like when I had a bad day
The song "Bad Day" by Buddy Guy is about a man who has had a terrible day and comes home tired, wanting nothing more than to relax and take a break from the stresses of everyday life. However, his partner starts an argument, and he quickly becomes angry, telling her to watch what she says because he's had a bad day. The song speaks to the idea that sometimes, it doesn't take much to push someone over the edge after they've had a particularly trying day. The man in the song is frustrated, and all he wants is a bit of space to collect his thoughts.
Throughout the song, the lyrics detail the events of the man's bad day, which includes getting stopped by the police, having to pay a fine, and getting home late for dinner. His partner's argument on top of this only compounds his frustration. As he sings "You know I love you, baby/But right now, I need some space," he's expressing that he still cares for her and the relationship, but he's reached his limit for the day.
The driving guitar riffs behind the lyrics of the song only help to highlight the tension and frustration that the man is feeling, making the listener feel the sense of release as he finally tells his partner to leave him alone for a bit.
Line by Line Meaning
Come home in the evening
I came home in the evening after a long day.
Pour myself a drink
I poured myself a drink to relieve my stress.
Too tired to listen
I am exhausted and unable to pay attention.
I'm too tired to think
My fatigue is affecting my ability to think clearly.
You start in on me
You begin to criticize me.
Try'na pick a fight
You are trying to start an argument.
First thing out of your mouth
The first thing you said was accusatory.
Where was you last night
You questioned my whereabouts last night.
Don't go there, baby
Don't provoke me further.
You better watch just what you say
Be careful with your words.
Yeah, you pushed the wrong button
Your words are making me angry.
You know I've had a bad day
I've had a difficult day and cannot handle more stress.
I was stopped by the police
I was pulled over by the police.
But just bein' who I am
Merely because of my identity.
They said, why you goin' in such a hurry
The police questioned why I was in a rush.
I said "Wooh! Guilty, damn"
I joked that I was guilty.
Cost 300 dollars
I had to pay a $300 bail.
Just to bail myself out
I had to pay the money to leave jail.
I get home late for dinner
I arrived home late for dinner.
You start runnin' your damn mouth
You began to complain and nag.
There'll be hell you have to pay
You will face consequences if you continue acting this way.
You better walk on eggshells
You need to be cautious with your behavior and words.
You know it
You are well aware of my difficult day.
You know I love you, baby
I care for you deeply.
But right now, I need some space
I need some time to myself.
Stop pointin' your finger
Do not blame me for things that are not my fault.
All up in my face
Do not confront me aggressively.
Shut your mouth and walk away
Stop talking and leave me alone.
You looking at a time bomb
You are provoking an angry response.
This is what I sound like when I had a bad day
My behavior is a result of the stressful experiences I had today.
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mitch Gawlik
This cd shows that Buddy Guy is still vital to the blues , and music in general.
IanTheScientist
@smartalek180 yes also Eric Clapton Mick Jagger, band of Kiss and all of the living greats said they are getting too old it is so sad :(
smartalek180
In Japan, they have something like a human National Parks program; some individuals are designated "Living National Treasures" (人間国宝 Ningen Kokuhō). (There's a bit of money in it, too.) We need something like that here, and Buddy Guy would be one of my first candidates for the honor.
Michael Perkins
What a great song - 81 years old - unbelievable
Sergei Denisenko
My day is always fine with a tune by Buddy Guy!
SEBASTIAN DRACU
What a tune! Love the monster heavy groove that's dragging that whole thing home! That's what I'm talking 'bout! Keep it up Buddy!
Maxim Popov
God bless Buddy Guy ❤️💙♥️ God bless the Blues 💙💙💙
Jean-Pierre M*
Ce mec nous avait rentrer au premier rang de son concert avec Junior Wells. On avait 15 ans et pas d'argent. Merci Monsieur, toujours dans mon coeur.
Damir Klisovic
One of the best of all times! ;)
Craig McCauley
Great album!