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.
Junior Shuffle
Buddy Guy Lyrics
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Let your hair down baby, 'n' let's have a natural ball
'Cause when you ain't happy, it ain't no fun at all
You can't take it with you, that's one thing for sure
You can't take it with you, that's one thing for sure
Ain't nothing wrong with you girl, the T-Bone shuffle can't cure
Have fun while you can, fate's an awful thing
You can't tell what might happen, that's why I love to sing
Buddy Guy's song "Junior Shuffle" is a blues tune that suggests enjoying life and having fun while one can. The lyrics "Let your hair down baby, 'n' let's have a natural ball, 'Cause when you ain't happy, it ain't no fun at all" encourages listeners to let go of life's stresses, embrace joy, and live in the moment. The song's message reminds people of the importance of laughter, smiles, and happiness in life.
The next few lyrics, "You can't take it with you, that's one thing for sure, Ain't nothing wrong with you, girl, the T-Bone shuffle can't cure," continues the theme of enjoying life. The lyrics suggest that while one can't take worldly possessions with them when they pass on, it's essential to enjoy what one has while they are alive. The T-Bone shuffle being used to cure hearts suggests that music has a way of lightening burdens, making people happy, and helping people forget their problems.
The closing lyrics, "Have fun while you can, fate's an awful thing, You can't tell what might happen, that's why I love to sing," is a declaration of the singer's love for life, regardless of the trying circumstances that might arise. The line, "fate's an awful thing" reminds listeners that nothing lasts forever. We must make the most of our time by staying positive, having fun, and enjoying life's small pleasures. For Buddy Guy, music brings him joy, and it's his way of imparting happiness to his listeners. Therefore, he praises the power of music as his reason for singing.
Line by Line Meaning
Let your hair down baby, 'n' let's have a natural ball
Relax and have a good time with me, don't hold back
'Cause when you ain't happy, it ain't no fun at all
If you're not enjoying yourself, it ruins the experience for us both
You can't take it with you, that's one thing for sure
You can't bring your wealth to the afterlife
Ain't nothing wrong with you girl, the T-Bone shuffle can't cure
There's nothing wrong with you that a good dance can't fix
Have fun while you can, fate's an awful thing
Life is unpredictable, so enjoy yourself while you still can
You can't tell what might happen, that's why I love to sing
Anything can happen, that's why music brings me joy and helps me cope
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: T-BONE WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind