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.
Come Back Muddy
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the good old times
When me and Muddy Waters
Was playing blues and drinking wine
Come back Muddy
Man I sure do miss your face
Come back Muddy
Lord knows you can't be replaced
We used to ride around
In your big Cadillac
Reefer in the glove box
Whiskey in the back
I say Come back Muddy
Man I sure wanna hear your voice
Come back Muddy
Let's make up some of that old nasty noise
Lord I don't need no picture
I can see you still
Carrying a switchblade knife
Flashing those hundred dollar bills
I said come back Muddy
I miss those good old days
Come back Muddy
The blues ain't been the same
Give you my promise
That I'm gonna keep on playing
Buddy Guy's Come Back Muddy is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary blues musician, Muddy Waters. The lyrics are a nostalgic remembrance of the good old days when the two musicians used to play blues and drink wine together. Buddy Guy's mind is going back to those times when Muddy Waters was still alive, and he wishes he could bring him back. The repeated plea, "Come back Muddy", is a desperate cry for the blues legend's return, knowing that he can never be replaced.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of their friendship as they rode around in Muddy Waters' big Cadillac, smoking reefer and drinking whiskey. The reference to the switchblade knife and the hundred-dollar bills are a reminder of Muddy Waters' rough and tough personality. Despite his tough exterior, Muddy Waters had a deep love and appreciation for the blues, and his contributions to it have left an indelible mark. Buddy Guy's song captures the essence of Muddy Waters' spirit, and as he promises to keep playing, he is keeping the blues alive in Muddy's memory.
Line by Line Meaning
My mind is going back
I am reminiscing about the past
To the good old times
To the enjoyable memories of my past
When me and Muddy Waters
When Muddy Waters and I
Was playing blues and drinking wine
Used to play blues music and drink wine together
Come back Muddy
I wish Muddy Waters could come back to me
Man I sure do miss your face
I really miss seeing his face
Lord knows you can't be replaced
No one can replace him in my life
We used to ride around
We used to travel together
In your big Cadillac
In his large car
Reefer in the glove box
Marijuana stored in the car
Whiskey in the back
Alcohol in the car
I say Come back Muddy
I repeat that I want Muddy Waters to come back
Man I sure wanna hear your voice
I miss hearing his voice
Let's make up some of that old nasty noise
Let's make some of our classic blues music
Lord I don't need no picture
I don't need a photograph
I can see you still
I can still visualize him in my mind
Carrying a switchblade knife
Having a knife with him all the time
Flashing those hundred dollar bills
Showing off his wealth by waving a lot of money
I said come back Muddy
Repeating my desire for Muddy Waters to come back
I miss those good old days
I really miss those enjoyable days
The blues ain't been the same
The blues music doesn't sound as great
Give you my promise
I vow to you
That I'm gonna keep on playing
That I'll keep on playing the blues music
Contributed by Charlotte B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.