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.
I'm in the Mood
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood, baby, I'm in the mood for love
I said night time is the right time, to be with the one you love
You know when night come baby, God know, you're so far away
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love
I'm in the mood, in the mood, baby, in the mood for love
I said yes, my mama told me, to leave that girl alone
But my mama didn't know, God know, girl was puttin' down
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, in the mood for love
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood, baby, in the mood for love
The lyrics to Buddy Guy & Junior Wells's song "I'm in the Mood" convey the idea of being ready for love and inviting a person of interest to share that experience with. The first stanza is repeated twice, with the singer expressing their desire to be in the mood for love, emphasizing their readiness for a romantic encounter. The second stanza shifts the focus to the time of day, stating that nighttime is the right time to be with someone you love, perhaps suggesting that the cover of darkness allows for more intimacy and connection. The last stanza features an anecdote from the singer's life, where their mother warned them to leave a particular person alone but the singer did not listen and discovered the girl was the right one for them, emphasizing the idea of following one's own instincts when it comes to love.
Overall, the song is a bluesy, soulful piece that captures the feeling of being "in the mood" for love and the anticipation it can bring. The repetition of the chorus serves to reinforce the central message, while the anecdotes in the verses help to add a personal touch and a sense of authenticity to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love
I am currently feeling romantic and desiring to experience love.
I said night time is the right time, to be with the one you love
I believe that nighttime is the ideal time to spend with your significant other.
You know when night come baby, God knows, you're so far away
When nighttime arrives, it feels like my lover is so far away from me.
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love
Once again, I am feeling romantic and want to experience love.
I said yes, my mama told me, to leave that girl alone
My mother advised me to end my relationship with a particular girl.
But my mama didn't know, God knows, girl was puttin' down
My mother wasn't aware that the girl was treating me very well.
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, in the mood for love
Once again, I am feeling romantic and want to experience love.
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood, baby, in the mood for love
One more time, I am in the mood for love and wanting to experience it.
Contributed by Gabriel E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.