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.
D.J. Play My Blues
Buddy Guy Lyrics
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I wonder why you don't play much blues anymore
Oh, mister D.J.
I keep wondering why you don't play much blues anymore
I don't know what you got against me
Whatever it is, I sure would like to know
Oh, I would just love to hear T-bone
Oh, I would love to hear T-bone
Even though I know that he is gone
Oh, it would bring back such great memories
Oh, just to hear your song
You know the Wolf used to moan
Oh, but he too he's gone
Oh, you know the Wolf used to moan
Listen
Oh, but he too, you know he's gone
Every once in a while mister D.J.
Why don't you please spend one of them a songs
Will you listen to me please
And spend me a song by the late Jimmy Reed
Will you listen, listen to me please
And spend me a song by the late Jimmy Reed
Oh, you know you would make me feel kind of good
Oh make me howl, oh yes indeed
The lyrics of Buddy Guy's "DJ Play My Blues" express a longing for the good old days when the DJ used to play blues music on the radio. The song opens with the singer addressing the DJ, asking why he doesn't play the blues anymore, and pining for the sound of T-Bone Walker and Howlin' Wolf. The sentiment behind the lyrics is one of nostalgia for a time when blues was at the forefront of popular music, and the song is steeped in the traditions of the genre.
The lyrics also suggest a perceived personal vendetta, with the singer wondering what the DJ has against him that he won't play the blues. The mention of Jimmy Reed in the final verse is a plea for a song that would make him feel good, and the repetition of "listen to me please" suggests a desperation for the DJ to pay attention to his request.
Overall, the song is a wistful lament for the decline of the blues, and a plea for its revival.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, mister D.J.
The singer is addressing the DJ.
I wonder why you don't play much blues anymore
The singer is asking why the DJ doesn't play as much blues as before.
I keep wondering why you don't play much blues anymore
The singer repeats his question about the lack of blues music on the radio.
I don't know what you got against me
The singer is unsure why the DJ seems to have a problem with him.
Whatever it is, I sure would like to know
The singer wants to understand the reason behind the DJ's behavior.
Oh, I would just love to hear T-bone
The singer expresses his desire to listen to T-bone Walker's music.
Even though I know that bluesman now he's gone
The singer acknowledges that T-bone Walker has passed away.
Oh, it would bring back such great memories
The singer thinks that listening to T-bone Walker's music would evoke fond memories.
Oh, just to hear your song
The singer emphasizes his longing to hear T-bone Walker's music.
You know the Wolf used to moan
The singer mentions the late Howlin' Wolf.
Oh, but he too he's gone
The singer acknowledges that Howlin' Wolf has passed away.
Listen
The singer calls the DJ's attention.
Every once in a while mister D.J.
The singer requests that the DJ play a blues song.
Why don't you please spend one of them a songs
The singer repeats his request for the DJ to play a blues song.
Will you listen to me please
The singer pleads with the DJ to pay attention to him.
And spend me a song by the late Jimmy Reed
The singer requests that the DJ play a song by the late blues musician Jimmy Reed.
Oh, you know you would make me feel kind of good
The singer believes that playing a Jimmy Reed song would make him feel happy.
Oh make me howl, oh yes indeed
The singer would be thrilled to hear a Jimmy Reed song that would make him want to howl in delight.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BUDDY GUY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind