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.
Honey Bee
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sail on sail on my little Honey Bee sail on
I don't mind you sailing
But please don't sail so long
Sail on sail on my little Honey Bee sail on
Sail on sail on my little Honey Bee sail on
You gonna keep on sailing
I hear a lot of buzzing, sound like my little Honey Bee
I hear a lot of buzzing, sound like my little Honey Bee
She been all around the world making honey
But now she's coming back home to me
I hear a lot of buzzing, sound like my little Honey Bee
I hear a lot of buzzing, sound like my little Honey Bee
She been all around the world making honey
But now she's coming back home to me
The song "Honey Bee" by Buddy Guy features a classic blues theme of love and longing, as the singer addresses his "little Honey Bee" who has been traveling the world making honey. The singer implores his lover to "sail on" and keep exploring, but requests that she not stay away too long. He hears a lot of "buzzing," which could represent the noise of bees or the excitement of his own anticipation, as he waits for his lover to return. The repetition of the line "take me to your happy home" emphasizes the singer's desire to be reunited with his partner and to find happiness wherever they are together.
The blues genre often incorporates heavy use of metaphor and symbolism, and "Honey Bee" is a great example of this. The Honey Bee symbolizes the singer's partner, who he loves and desires to be with, but who also has a life and purpose outside of their relationship. The constant buzzing and the focus on honey-making shows how dedicated and hard-working the "Honey Bee" is, as well as the sweetness she brings to the singer's life. The repetition of the phrase "sail on" seems to indicate that the singer is supportive of his partner's pursuits, but that he is also eagerly waiting for her return.
Overall, "Honey Bee" is a classic love song with a bluesy twist. The metaphor of the Honey Bee is cleverly woven throughout the lyrics, and the repetition of certain phrases adds emphasis and emotional resonance. The song is a showcase for Buddy Guy's soulful voice and guitar playing, and is a great example of the enduring popularity of blues music.
Line by Line Meaning
Sail on sail on my little Honey Bee sail on
Continue on, my dear Honey Bee, sailing through life's journey.
I don't mind you sailing
I have no objection to your voyage, my Honey Bee.
But please don't sail so long
Just don't take too long to come back to me, my little Honey Bee.
You gonna keep on sailing
I know you want to keep exploring, my dear Honey bee.
Take me to your happy home
But when you do come back, bring me to your peaceful abode.
I hear a lot of buzzing, sound like my little Honey Bee
I can hear a familiar sound, the sweet buzz of my Honey Bee.
She been all around the world making honey
My little Honey Bee has traveled far and wide to gather sweetness.
But now she's coming back home to me
But finally, she is returning to her loved ones, including me.
Contributed by Emma J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.