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.
Flesh & Bone
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the lord's work is the only truth
It ain't over the day you die you'll live on
In the sweet bye and bye
This life is more than flesh and bone
Turn back now before you're gone
When you go your spirit lives on
Now I know my daddy was right
I read that good book
And I've seen the light
Mama and daddy have passed and gone
They're still with me 'cause love lives on
This life is more than flesh and bone
Turn back now before you're gone
When you go your spirit lives on
This life is more than flesh and bone
The God I feed on is real as rain
More than words can ever explain
We'll meet again some sweet day
Find me on this world we play
This life is more than flesh and bone
Turn back now before you're gone
When you go your spirit goes on
This life is more than flesh and bone
In "Flesh & Bone," Buddy Guy reflects on the teachings of his father and the lessons he learned from the Bible. His father emphasized that the truth lies in the Lord's work and that even after death, one's spirit continues to live on. The line "It ain't over the day you die you'll live on, In the sweet bye and bye" suggests that there is an afterlife where one's soul persists.
The song conveys the idea that life is more than just the physical body. Buddy Guy warns listeners not to be consumed by the material world and to instead focus on the spiritual aspect of existence. He urges them to turn back from a life solely devoted to the physical and to embrace the deeper meaning of life before it's too late. The repetition of "This life is more than flesh and bone" emphasizes the message that there is a greater significance to our existence.
The lyrics also speak of Buddy Guy's personal experience. He declares that he has come to realize that his father was right about the importance of faith and spirituality. He acknowledges that although his parents have passed away, their love continues to be with him because love transcends physical boundaries.
Overall, "Flesh & Bone" encourages listeners to recognize the spiritual essence of life and to find solace in the belief that there is an eternal aspect to our being.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy read the good book through and through
My father thoroughly studied the scriptures
Said the lord's work is the only truth
He believed that serving God is the ultimate truth
It ain't over the day you die you'll live on
Death does not mark the end, as the soul continues to exist
In the sweet bye and bye
In the future, in a pleasant and heavenly place
This life is more than flesh and bone
Existence goes beyond mere physical bodies
Turn back now before you're gone
Reconsider your actions before it's too late
When you go your spirit lives on
Even after death, the soul continues to thrive
Now I know my daddy was right
I have come to realize that my father was correct in his beliefs
I read that good book
I have studied the scriptures
And I've seen the light
I have experienced enlightenment
Mama and daddy have passed and gone
My parents have departed from this world
They're still with me 'cause love lives on
Their love continues to exist and influence me
The God I feed on is real as rain
The deity I worship is as tangible and genuine as rainfall
More than words can ever explain
Beyond the capacity of language to fully describe
We'll meet again some sweet day
We will reunite in the future, in a joyful moment
Find me on this world we play
Search for me in the realm where we live our lives
When you go your spirit goes on
Your soul continues to endure after departure
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY NICHOLSON, TOM HAMBRIDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MatΓas Manresa
It's excellent. Also, I don't know if they appreciated it but he throws very characteristic BB licks. It is a complete tribute, even in those small details. That lick with the 3:28 minute stretch is what accounts for that deep magic that art and the influence of others have on us.
Greetings from Argentina! This damn pandemic will end and we will resume our lives.
Killer Queen/64
Brought me to tears......Thank you Buddy for all your awesome music! ...( I would like to dedicate this song to my Dad & Mom and my brother. Rest In Paradise )... You hit the nail on the head with this one brother!....XxX...
Tom Laveign
Buddy Guy's solo work is criminally underrated...
Tom Laveign
What I mean is that I think his music should get more publicity and be played on the radio more, it's so much better than most of the shit people are listening to, and I feel like there are a lot of people out there who would like his stuff, but have no idea who he is.Β
gabriel vinicius Oliveira
+Tom Laveign do you feel the blues?
because that its all that matter
DJ Trendsetta
In other words the dumbing down of society is givin' you the blues. I feel ya', brother. I feel ya'.
DB
@DJ Trendsetta Indeed it is, glad some others feel they're in the same boat..
janet callanan
Buddy is criminally underrated in general
Gabriel Melo
This track touches me way down deep in my soul. How can someone dislike it?
Frank Wall
Buddy Guy has a special place in my soul. I saw him this past summer.
What made it even better is I took my cousin to the show.
You see she had never been to concert of any kind so finally at 75 she got to see one. I didnβt know she loved Buddy Guy until she told me at the show.
The power of music is so awesome. I swear she looked 10 years younger. I was so happy I could do that for her. Thanks Mr Buddy Guy for making a dream come true for a 75 year old lady. She is still talking about it.πππ