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.
Don´t Know Which Way To Go
Buddy Guy Lyrics
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All your crying won't help you now.
I think I'm leaving in the morning baby, yeah,
All your crying won't help you now.
But the whole time I was with you baby,
Everybody, everybody knowed you weren't no good no how.
Yes it was a long time coming baby,
Yes it was a long time coming baby, yeah,
Oh but you finally made it home.
Yes I want you to realize now baby, yeah,
Darling you know you done me wrong.
You built my hopes so high,
Honey, you let me down so low.
Oh you built, you built my hopes so high baby, yeah,
Oh woman, you let me, you let me down so low.
Yes you got me walking 'round here in circles baby,
Oh I don't know which way to go.
Oh just one more time babe,
Just let me, let me prove my love to you.
Yes just one more, one more time baby, yeah,
Why don't you let me, let me prove my love to you.
I want to do all the little things baby,
All the little things I will you ask to do.
The lyrics to Buddy Guy's "Don't Know Which Way to Go" tell the story of a man who has finally had enough of his significant other's mistreatment and betrayal. He's decided that he's leaving in the morning, and no amount of tears or begging will change his mind. Throughout their relationship, everyone knew that she wasn't good for him, and he had finally reached his breaking point. The man acknowledges that it took a long time for him to reach this conclusion, but he's finally made the decision to leave.
The lyrics also express the disappointment and hurt that he has experienced due to his partner's actions. She had built up his hopes and expectations, only to let him down and leave him feeling lost and unsure of which direction to go. Despite this, he still loves her and wants one more chance to prove it. He's willing to do whatever it takes to make things right, but only if she can also learn to treat him with the respect and love that he deserves.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a tumultuous and difficult relationship that is plagued by betrayal and hurt. The man has finally had enough and is ready to move on, but he still loves his partner and wants to make things right if given the opportunity.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'm leaving in the morning,
I believe that I will go tomorrow,
All your crying won't help you now.
Your weeping will not aid you presently.
But the whole time I was with you baby,
For the duration of our time together, my dear,
Everybody, everybody knowed you weren't no good no how.
It was evident to everyone that you were not good at all.
Yes it was a long time coming baby,
Indeed, it has been a lengthy waiting period, my dear,
But you, but you finally made it home.
However, you eventually arrived at your destination.
Oh but you finally made it home.
You, at long last, made it back to where you belong.
Yes I want you to realize now baby, yeah,
It is vital that you comprehend now, my sweet,
Darling you know you done me wrong.
That you wronged me, my dear.
You built my hopes so high,
You raised my expectations to such heights,
Honey, you let me down so low.
But, my love, you ultimately disappointed me greatly.
Yes you got me walking 'round here in circles baby,
Now you have got me wandering aimlessly, my dear,
Oh I don't know which way to go.
And I am lost and unsure of my direction.
Oh just one more time babe,
Oh, if only I could have one more opportunity, my love,
Just let me, let me prove my love to you.
Allow me to demonstrate the depth of my affection to you.
Yes just one more, one more time baby, yeah,
Indeed, just one additional opportunity, my dear,
Why don't you let me, let me prove my love to you.
Won't you permit me to show you the magnitude of my love?
I want to do all the little things baby,
I have a desire to perform all of the small gestures, my love,
All the little things I will you ask to do.
And fulfill every request that you make.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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