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.
Best in Town
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was knee high to the ground,
He said son don't let nobody,
Push you around
You don't have to be the best in town,
Just try to be the best until,
Till the best come around
When I first heard Muddy Waters,
I knew I was Chicago Bound
Start playing on the South Side,
And this is what I found.
You don't have to be the best in town,
Just got to be the best,
Till the best come around
You don't have, to be the fastest gun,
But a Hoochie Coochie man of the Seven Suns.
I'm gonna keep on grinning,
Till my grays in the ground,
Because I'm too far gone to ever, turn around.
You don't have, to be the fastest gun,
But a Hoochie Coochie man of the Seven Suns.
I'm gonna keep on grinning,
Till my grays in the ground,
Because I'm too far gone to ever, turn around.
Met a side town women,
Down On Wall Bass Avenue,
She said I'm going love You
You damn sure gonna love me too.
You don't have to be the best in town,
Just try to be the best,
Look ahh here
You don't have to be the best in town,
You just got to be the best,
Till the best come around
The song "Best in Town" by Buddy Guy is a testament to the hardworking and persevering spirit of the blues. The lyrics capture the advice that Guy received from his parents when he was young, that he should stand up for himself and not let anyone push him around. The song emphasizes the value of being the best that one can be, without necessarily competing with others. The first verse sets the tone for the song, highlighting the importance of self-respect, self-esteem, and self-worth in a world where people can be judgmental or critical.
In the second verse, Guy talks about how he was inspired by Muddy Waters, who was one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. Guy highlights his own journey as a blues musician, saying that he started playing on the South Side of Chicago, and this is where he discovered his love for the blues. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes that it's not about being the best, but about being the best that one can be until someone better comes along.
The third verse talks about a side-town woman on Wall Bass Avenue who catches Guy's attention. She is confident and tells Guy that he is going to love her because she is worth it. This verse seems to reinforce the theme of self-worth and self-respect, and perhaps suggests that in order to attract someone worthwhile, one must first believe in oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama and daddy told me,
When I was knee high to the ground,
He said son don't let nobody,
Push you around
My parents advised me when I was young to stand up for myself and not let anyone bully me.
You don't have to be the best in town,
Just try to be the best until,
Till the best come around
You should strive to be your best but not worry about being better than everyone else because someone better may come around.
When I first heard Muddy Waters,
I knew I was Chicago Bound
Start playing on the South Side,
And this is what I found.
When I discovered Muddy Waters, I realized I belonged in Chicago and began performing on the South Side where I discovered something about myself.
You don't have to be the best in town,
Just got to be the best,
Till the best come around
You should simply focus on being your best until someone better arrives.
You don't have, to be the fastest gun,
But a Hoochie Coochie man of the Seven Suns.
I'm gonna keep on grinning,
Till my grays in the ground,
Because I'm too far gone to ever, turn around.
You don't have to be the best or the fastest, but you should aim to be genuine and keep going until you can't anymore.
Met a side town women,
Down On Wall Bass Avenue,
She said I'm going love You
You damn sure gonna love me too.
I met a woman from the other side of town on Wall Bass Avenue who promised to love me, and I would love her too.
You don't have to be the best in town,
Just try to be the best,
Look ahh here
You don't have to be the best in town,
You just got to be the best,
Till the best come around
Again, it is reiterated that you don't need to be the best in town. Just try to be your best and keep going until someone better emerges.
Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
m g
You’re right. To be fair, my comment was a genuine, real-time reaction to one recording (this one) without any pause for being clever or appropriate. It was my initial reaction. Nothing more, nothing less.
But I have been biased. And 8 should expand. I’ve seen Mister B - B King more times than I can count on my hands - small local venues. . Loved Shake ‘Em Up (on French horn, I believe). It hurt when he had to perform his whole set sitting down.
I had the Albert King SRV jam CD for years - never played it. I just found the tracks on YouTube - damn - Albert King is/was amazing.
All those, as you say who influenced SRV (plus Jimmy, who wasn’t a bad player by any stretch) are all amazing - except one guy I don’t know - but am eager to look up).
I’m just one person with one opinion. I truly appreciate your comment and criticism. I learn from comments like yours.
A few years ago, I found near equivalent performances of Voodoo Child SRV/Hendrix. I thought one was better.
SRV becomes one with his guitar - he’s not a guy playing guitar extremely well. He’s beyond that.
I can’t explain it. I’ve never seen that in anyone else - despite skill and art among the greats, many of whom you mention.
The look on other’s faces when the jammed with him said a lot, too. But just watching him - I hear one or two notes and I can’t stop for at least an hour.
I do appreciate others and I’ve seen a few you listed live - and they’re amazing. I love Albert King. I’ve seen John Lee Hooker- he sat near me for a BB King set in a small local venue. I love Blind Lemon - there are so many.
Just, for me, SRV is magic. I’m just one opinion, so it doesn’t really matter.
I really appreciate your comment and constructive criticism. I learn from comments like yours. As I said, I am biased, but that doesn’t mean I can’t expand.
I would probably love Buddy Guy if I heard more songs (which im going to do) - this one hit me wrong - I just reacted truthfully. I don’t love e dry SRV song either (well... he’s still amazing when the song isn’t the best).
My ex was into Albert, BB, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, SRV, Greg Allman, Clapton, I can’t recall - he had a well educated, well rounded experience. He even saw SRV and he went to every BB appearance I did. He’d play all these guys, but one of them made me stop - always. Stevie. I dare anyone to ignore “”Pride and Joy” if it begins to play in one’s space. That’s just one. I dedicated that song to one of my daughters. She, at 3-ish years old asked to have ZZ Top’s “La Grange” every day (every day) the minute we started for home from daycare. I heard that song daily for months. So worth it. Watching her do8ng the low voice words in the beginning, “lotta nice girlsssah,” the had banging in her car seat. She loved SRV. She was “Little Sister,” I edited the lyrics for her birthday.
So SRV (and Ella, Pavarotti and More) helped me through one of the hardest times of my life, so I’m not objective. But SRV still stands above and beyond without that.
But I take your points. I think Stevie’s influences were crucial. I think he was better - perhaps not technically (but probably technically) but just having “it”. His teachers had “it” too - not on Stevie level.
There I go, narrow minded again. I’m hardly narrow minded. I love every blues genre, I play blues (not for anyone to hear) once I string my favorite guitars, I’m going to write and play again. I love the simplicity. The history and origins are not recognized or respected enough.
Sorry, friend, I rambled. Thank you for reminding me to expand my blues appreciation. It’s hard to do.
I’m not as interested in technical skill/timing as I am in heart, soul, spirit and genuine-ness. SRV, a most flamboyant performer is so far the most genuine blues artist. I’m happy to learn of others that I don’t know of or am wrong about.
Thanks again for your meaningful comment. Take care.
Lukas Rasmussen
This album was my introduction to blues music nearly a decade ago.
Here I am now, 23 years old, trying to get good enough to go to college for music.
London Wells
Happy 10th anniversary of Buddy guy's rhythm and blues full album!
Nick Fifis
This is my favorite album he's ever done!
maazvdo
Totalmente poderoso este som!!!
Obrigado por postar.
Jibicus Maximus
his solo style is so wild! the greatest.
Jokerino Fakkk86CJ
Great music! Buddy Guy is a genius!
Cora Visser
I can,t say what I feel but it is touching my whole soul ,wonderfull the way he plays and sing the blues so so good.
Kelly Pulla
Demais!!!
Marcin Perliński
Mistrz!!!
Robert Fairweather Band
That voice gives me goosebumps...