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.
Damn Right I've Got The Blues
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From my head down to my shoes
You damn right, I've got the blues
From my head down to my shoes
I can't win, 'cause I don't have a thing to lose
I stopped by my daughter's house
I stopped by my daughter's house
You know I just want to use the phone
You know my new grandbaby came to the door
And said, granddaddy, you know ain't no one at home
I said now look out
You damn right, I've got the blues
From my head down to my shoes
You damn right, I've got the blues
From my head down to my shoes
You know I can't win, now people, 'cause I don't have a thing to lose
Alright
You damn right, I've got the blues
You damn right, I've got the blues
You damn right, I've got the blues
You damn right, I've got the blues
Yeah
In "Damn Right I've Got The Blues," Buddy Guy expresses his feelings of despair and hopelessness through the blues genre. The repetition of the phrase "You damn right, I've got the blues, from my head down to my shoes," emphasizes the degree to which he is consumed by his emotions. Guy feels so down that he believes he cannot win because he doesn't have anything left to lose.
He then shares a personal story of stopping by his daughter's house to use the phone but finds none of the family members at home. Instead, his grandchild answers the door and informs him that he is alone in the house. Guy doesn't appear surprised by the absence of his family members, suggesting that the loneliness he feels is a constant theme in his life.
In conclusion, "Damn Right I've Got The Blues" showcases the pain and sorrows that one can experience in life, while also serving as a reminder of the power of music in communicating and connecting with others who may be experiencing similar struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
You damn right, I've got the blues
I am deeply saddened and feeling extremely low
From my head down to my shoes
My sadness and blues have taken over my entire being
I can't win, 'cause I don't have a thing to lose
I am in a helpless situation where I have nothing which makes me feel like there's no way out of it.
I stopped by my daughter's house
I went to my daughter's house
You know I just want to use the phone
I only went to my daughter's house to use her phone
You know my new grandbaby came to the door
My new grandchild came to the door
And said, granddaddy, you know ain't no one at home
My grandchild informed me that no one was home
I said now look out
I became cautious and alert
Alright
An expression of agreement or approval
You damn right, I've got the blues
Reiterating my deep feelings of sadness and melancholy
Yeah
An expression of affirmation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: George Buddy Guy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@guitarcenter
"I've been foolin' with it for quite a while and there's still a lot I don't know about the guitar."
#HappyBirthday Blues Legend Buddy Guy! #borntoplayguitar
@kelseyclark9510
One never stops the learning !!! This music I just love
@raymondgarlick2791
He's definitely one of the best.
@kelseyclark9510
I agree he's an awesome in my book !!!
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@charger19691
Buddy Guy is brilliant!
@kelseyclark9510
Awesome !!!
@IndependantW
I saw Buddy twice at the Iron Horse Cafe, a little bar/coffeshop in Northampton Mass. The restrooms were down the celler and so was the performer's dressing room. When I came out of the ladies' room there was Buddy in the dressing room, sitting on a couch, and warming up with his unplugged guitar. Course I went up to him - told him how much I love his music and admire him - and asked if could shake his hand. He said "Come over here babe and let me give you a great big Buddy Guy hug." and he did. His body was like a rock! Harder than any weight lifter. Later that evening I was sitting right by the stage, and when he did "Stormy Monday" I started singing along. He walked right over to me and said "There's a gal who knows what it is to sing the blues!" and he sang and played that whole song right to me, right in front of me. That performance is seared into my brain forever.
@ABLYamimash3
He sounds like such a nice guy.
@tesoro9623
Thats really cool
@daveyboy8907
lol