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.
Hard Time Killing Floor
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everywhere you go
Times are harder than
They ever been before
Hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm
From door to door
But they can't find no heaven
I don't care where they go
Hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm
People, if I ever can get up off
This hard killin' floor
Lord, I won't get down
Down this low no more
Hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm
Well, you hear me singin' this old
Old lonesome song
People, you know these hard times
Can't last us so long
Hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm
Buddy Guy's song "Hard Time Killing Floor" is a blues melody that captures the essence of the hardships of life. The song opens with the assertion that hard times are here, and they are prevalent everywhere we go. The lyrics harken to the Great Depression era as the singer recognizes that times are harder than they have ever been previously. The refrain, "Hmm, hmm" emphasizes the heaviness of the message in the lyrics.
Guy captures the sense of hopelessness as people move from door to door; searching for a better existence, but to no avail. He acknowledges that people cannot find any form of heaven, no matter where they go. The singer asserts that if he can manage to get up from the hard killing floor, he pledges never to go down this low again. In effect, he recognizes that this is the lowest part of his life, and he desires to overcome it.
In conclusion, "Hard Time Killing Floor" is a powerful song that reflects the harsh realities of life. It exemplifies an era in history where survival was difficult, and people had to be strong to endure. The song captures the essence of the blues, and it remains relevant today as an excellent example of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Hard times are here
Current times are difficult
And everywhere you go
It affects everyone universally
Times are harder than
Current times are more challenging than
They ever been before
Compared to past, present times are tougher
You know, people are driftin'
People are wandering aimlessly
From door to door
Looking for a better situation
But they can't find no heaven
They can't find the place they belong to
I don't care where they go
They can go wherever they want, but they won't find their haven
People, if I ever can get up off
If the artist can escape
This hard killin' floor
This tough life that takes its toll on one's body and mind
Lord, I won't get down
I won't fall into despair and desperation
Down this low no more
I won't ever again be in such a low state
Well, you hear me singin' this old
The singer is singing this old
Old lonesome song
A song about loneliness
People, you know these hard times
Listeners should realize that these difficult times
Can't last us so long
Won't remain forever
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Nehemiah 'skip' James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ethan Hill
This song is a treasure. Should be the National Anthem.
psychoprosthetic
Greatest living Bluesman. One of the greatest ever blues songs.
Sliverfox 155
+psychoprosthetic agreed
Penni Hall
one of my favorites...so good. man I love your voice! and your playing for change..redemption song and skin deep...I didn't know you before, but I'm loving you now
andy cairns
so enjoy this type of sound , of the blues............thanks
raul monterrosa
el arte del blues wow oh god
山口ふく
このアルバムが１番好き👍️
TJ Colatrella
Buddy doin Skip James..