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.
Do Your Thing
Buddy Guy Lyrics
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And you take the groove
Groove on, groove on
If you feel like you wanna make love
Under the stars above, love on, love on
If there's something you wanna say
And talkin' is the only way
'Cause whatever you do
Hey, do your thing, do your thing
If you feel like you wanna scream
And that's your way of lettin' off steam
Scream on, scream on
If you feel like you wanna sing
And singing is your thing
Sing on, sing on
If you wanna make love all night
And you feel that it's right
Right on, right on 'cause whatever you do
Hey, do your thing, do your thing
How, let me do my thing
Buddy Guy's song "Do Your Thing" is an empowering and inspiring tune celebrating individuality and encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves. The lyrics express that one should do whatever they feel, whether it's moving to the music, making love, talking, screaming, or singing. The song emphasizes that one needs to live their life on their own terms, without worrying about what others may think.
The first verse describes the body's natural reaction to music and encourages one to let loose and "groove on" to the beat. The second verse encourages speaking out and "rapping on" to express oneself, followed by the chorus, "do your thing." The third verse encourages screaming or singing, and the fourth verse describes the feeling of wanting to make love under the stars and encourages listeners to do what feels right. The song concludes with the affirmation, "Let me do my thing. I'll do my best," as Buddy Guy asserts his own personal freedom to live his life authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
If the music make you move
If the beat of the music makes you want to dance
And you take the groove
And you get into the rhythm
Groove on, groove on
Keep dancing and enjoying the music
If you feel like you wanna make love
If you feel like you want to have sex
Under the stars above, love on, love on
Make love passionately outdoors
If there's something you wanna say
If you have something to express
And talkin' is the only way
And speaking is the only way to do it
Rap on, oh, rap on
Express yourself through spoken word
'Cause whatever you do
Because no matter what you choose to do
Hey, do your thing, do your thing
Just be yourself and do what makes you happy
If you feel like you wanna scream
If you feel like you need to release your emotions through yelling
And that's your way of lettin' off steam
And that's how you release your stress and frustration
Scream on, scream on
Keep yelling until you feel better
If you feel like you wanna sing
If you feel like you want to express yourself through singing
And singing is your thing
And singing is your passion
Sing on, sing on
Keep singing and enjoying your time
If you wanna make love all night
If you want to have sex all night long
And you feel that it's right
And you believe it's the right thing to do
Right on, right on
Keep going and don't hold back
'Cause whatever you do
Because no matter what you choose to do
Hey, do your thing, do your thing
Just be yourself and do what makes you happy
How, let me do my thing
Let me express myself and do what comes naturally
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael Gregory, Anthony Michael Partridge, Antony James Smith, James Theodore Wood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind