Buddy Guy (born George Guy, July 30, 1936 in Lettsworth, Louisiana) is an A… Read Full Bio ↴Buddy Guy (born George Guy, July 30, 1936 in Lettsworth, Louisiana) is an American blues music and rock music guitarist, as well as a singer. Known as an inspiration to Jimi Hendrix and other 1960s blues and rock legends, Guy is considered as an important proponent of Chicago blues made famous by Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. He has influenced both widely known and local blues guitarists.

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.

Innocent Man
Buddy Guy Lyrics

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I am, I'm innocent man
I am, I'm innocent man

You know about it
You surely don't know
But I think that
Probably you'll sure understand

I didn't get a chance to defend myself
I hope it makes it better for someone else
You said, you thought I was using PCP
That's why you all was beating up on me

I am a innocent man
I am a innocent man

You know about it
You surely don't know
But I think that
Probably you'll sure understand

Going downtown
To Kansas Stew
Bring back the second cousin
That little Johnny Cocheroo

Now ain't that a man
I spell mmm, aaa child, nnn
I spell man
No be, O child, why

I spell mannish boy
I'm a man
I'm a full grown man
I'm a man

I'm a hoochie, coochie man
I'm a brr

Overall Meaning

Buddy Guy's song "Innocent Man" is a powerful testimony of a person wrongfully accused and beaten up for a crime he did not commit. The repetition of the lines "I am, I'm an innocent man" throughout the song is an assertion of his innocence and plea for understanding. The lyrics describe the singer's frustration at not having a chance to defend himself against the accusations of using PCP. It is evident from the lyrics that the singer has been subjected to a violent beating, and he hopes that his story would make a difference for someone else's sake. The line "Going downtown, to Kansas Stew" might refer to the location of the police station where he was taken for questioning.

The reference to Little Johnny Cocheroo could be a metaphor for a young and naive family member who has been dragged into the legal process. The singer seeks to bring back his cousin and prove his innocence, indicating that he has the support of family members who also believe he is innocent. The inclusion of the lyrics from Muddy Water's song "Mannish Boy" towards the end of the song gives it a deeper meaning. The singer asserts his manhood and power despite the injustice he has suffered, reclaiming his dignity and strength.

Line by Line Meaning

I am, I'm innocent man
I am being wrongfully accused, but I'm truly innocent.

You know about it
You've heard about my situation already.

You surely don't know
However, you don't know the full extent of it.

But I think that
Nevertheless, I believe that

Probably you'll sure understand
You will understand eventually.

I didn't get a chance to defend myself
I was unable to defend myself in the alleged incident.

I hope it makes it better for someone else
My situation can hopefully help prevent others from being wrongfully accused.

You said, you thought I was using PCP
The accuser claimed that I was under the influence of PCP.

That's why you all was beating up on me
That's why the accuser and others violently attacked me.

Going downtown
I'm heading downtown.

To Kansas Stew
The specific location I'm heading to is Kansas Stew.