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.
ONE ROOM COUNTRY SHACK
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People, I'm in my one room country little shack
I'm sittin' here, thousand miles from nowhere
People, I'm in my own, own one room country little shack
All my worries and companion
Is a old, is a old eleven foot cotton sack
People, because I'm 'bout to go out of my mind
I'm gonna leave you early in the mornin'
People because, just because I'm 'bout to go out of my mind
I'm gonna find me some kind of good woman
Even if she's dumb, deaf, crippled or blind
Play your piano [Incomprehensible]
Yeah, yeah
Lord, you make me feel so good this morning, do it again
Have mercy, have mercy on me, have mercy on me
Alright, yes, yes, yes, oh Lord, have mercy
You don't know
You don't know how, how I feel
Lord, have mercy down in this cotton field
You don't know
People, people, you don't know how I feel
Have mercy in this cotton field
I know you're out there havin' a good time
Why don't you, why don't you make connection with me
And give me some good deal?
Let me have a little bit of Otis Spann, please
So many ways
So many ways you can get the blues
So many ways
So, so many ways you can get the blues
Yes, when you're down here on one of these cotton fields
Lord, you ain't got nothing to lose
The lyrics of Buddy Guy's "One Room Country Shack" paints a picture of a man who is feeling isolated and lonely in his humble abode, a one-room country shack located in the middle of nowhere. Sitting there with only an old and worn-out cotton sack as his companion, he contemplates leaving in the morning because he's about to lose his mind. He yearns to find a good woman, even one who is handicapped, as long as she can bring some much-needed joy into his life. In the background, a piano is being played, adding to the melancholic yet soulful tone of the song.
The song speaks of the hardships of life in the cotton fields and the loneliness that comes with working long days on one's own. By contrast, the song also suggests that music, particularly the blues, serves as a source of solace and relief. Buddy Guy's expressive and nuanced delivery, along with the lyrics themselves, convey the sense of desperation and longing that the singer of the song is feeling. There is a deep-seated sadness that lingers throughout the song, but there is also the possibility of hope and connection, even in such bleak circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' here, thousand miles from nowhere
I am currently residing in a remote location with no one else around for miles.
People, I'm in my one room country little shack
I am living alone in a small, rustic cabin away from civilization.
All my worries and companion
My only companion in this isolated lifestyle is a cotton sack that I use for various tasks.
Is a old, is a old eleven foot cotton sack
The cotton sack I have is worn and aged, but it's all I have for company.
I'm gonna leave, oh, early in the mornin'
Tomorrow morning, I plan to leave this place behind as my current state of mind is deteriorating.
People, because I'm 'bout to go out of my mind
I am on the brink of insanity due to my solitary existence and need to leave for my own mental health.
I'm gonna find me some kind of good woman
My plan is to seek out a female companion to fill the void of loneliness I experience in this lifestyle.
Even if she's dumb, deaf, crippled or blind
I am so desperate for companionship that I am willing to overlook any imperfections in a potential partner.
Play your piano [Incomprehensible]
I am enjoying the music being played, but the lyrics are unclear.
Have mercy, have mercy on me, have mercy on me
Asking for mercy, likely from a higher power, due to my current situation and mental state.
You don't know
Others cannot understand the depth of my despair and loneliness.
You don't know how, how I feel
It is impossible to accurately describe the emotions I am experiencing in this isolation.
Lord, have mercy down in this cotton field
Asking for divine intervention in my current living and mental state while working in the cotton fields.
I know you're out there havin' a good time
Addressing the listeners and insinuating that they are enjoying their own companionship and life.
Why don't you, why don't you make connection with me
Asking the listeners to connect with and relate to his situation.
And give me some good deal?
Perhaps requesting advice or assistance from the listeners in finding a companion or improving his situation.
So many ways you can get the blues
There are numerous reasons why someone can become sad or depressed, and my own isolation is one of them.
Yes, when you're down here on one of these cotton fields
The physical labor associated with working in the cotton fields can add to the emotional pain of loneliness.
Lord, you ain't got nothing to lose
A representation of the feeling of having nothing left to lose when living in such a solitary and laborious existence.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN LEE HOOKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind