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.
Little Dab-A-Doo
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey girl
Well now I'd sure like to make love with you
Hey baby girl yeah
Girl I sure would like to make love to you
I'm not gonna take too much of your time
Because you know a little dab will do
I don't want much
I just want a minute or two
No I don't want much
I just want a minute or two
You see I told you
Little girl a little dab will do
Look-a-here
Oh for a while little girl
Then I'll be through with you
Oh for a while little girl yeah
Then I'll be through with you
Then I'll see you
I told you a little dab would do
For cryin' out loud
I just can't do what I used to do
Oh Lord for cryin' out loud
I just can't, I just can't, I just can't do what I used to do
So take me for with I am
And I told you a little dab will do
Ya-ba-da-ba-do!
Buddy Guy's song "Little Dab-A-Doo" is a song about a man approaching a woman for a physical relationship. The song starts with the singer addressing the woman, letting her know that he wants to make love to her. However, he doesn't want to take too much of her time, and a little dab will do. The singer clarifies that he doesn't want too much- just a minute or two will suffice.
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes that he doesn't need much, but he does need some physical interaction. He reassures the woman that he won't take much time and will be done soon. The song's chorus emphasizes the idea that a little dab will do, and the song ends with a celebratory "ya-ba-da-ba-do!"
The song's lyrics are straightforward in their intent, but they also capture a sense of desire and urgency. The singer is forthright about what he wants, but he's also respectful of the woman's time and boundaries. The song manages to convey a sense of intimacy while also staying firmly in the blues genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't move
Stay where you are
Hey girl
Addressing a female
Well now I'd sure like to make love with you
Expressing desire for sexual intimacy
Hey baby girl yeah
Continuing to address the female affectionately
Girl I sure would like to make love to you
Repeating the desire for sexual intimacy
I'm not gonna take too much of your time
Acknowledging the importance of the female's time
Because you know a little dab will do
Implying that a small amount of intimacy is enough
I don't want much
Expressing a lack of neediness
I just want a minute or two
Clarifying the desired amount of time for intimacy
No I don't want much
Reiterating the lack of neediness
You see I told you
Reminding the female of a prior statement
Little girl a little dab will do
Restating that minimal intimacy is satisfactory
Look-a-here
Getting the female's attention
Oh for a while little girl
Describing the temporary nature of the desired intimacy
Then I'll be through with you
Clarifying that the intimacy is strictly temporary
Then I'll see you
Implying that the encounter will be brief and infrequent
I told you a little dab would do
Repeating the sentiment that minimal intimacy is sufficient
For cryin' out loud
Exclaiming in frustration or annoyance
I just can't do what I used to do
Expressing difficulty in performing as before
Oh Lord for cryin' out loud
Call to a higher power for aid or relief
I just can't, I just can't, I just can't do what I used to do
Reiterating the difficulty in performing as before
So take me for with I am
Accepting oneself despite limitations or shortcomings
And I told you a little dab will do
Reiterating the message that minimal intimacy is sufficient
Ya-ba-da-ba-do!
Exclamatory phrase with no clear meaning
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BUDDY GUY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind