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.
Skin Deep
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know wrong from right
Learned a long time ago
Things ain't always black and white
Just like you can't judge a book by the cover
We all gotta be careful
How we treat one another
Skin deep
Underneath we're all the same
Skin deep
Skin deep
Underneath we're all the same
We're all of the same
A man in Louisiana
He never called me by my name
He said "Boy, do this" and "Boy, do that"
But I never once complained
I knew he had a good heart
But he just didn't understand
That I needed to be treated
Just like any other man
Skin deep
Skin deep
Underneath we're all the same
Skin deep
Skin deep
Underneath we're all the same
We're all of the same
I sat my child down
When he was old enough to know
I said out there in this big wide world
You're gonna meet all kind of folks
I said son it all comes down to just one simple rule
That you treat everybody just the way
You want them to treat you
Yeah
Skin deep
Skin deep
Underneath we're all the same
Skin deep
Skin deep
Underneath we're all the same
We're all of the same (skin deep)
Skin deep
Underneath we're all the same
Skin deep
Skin deep
Underneath we're all the same
We're all of the same
Yeah
In Buddy Guy's "Skin Deep," the lyrics capture the essence of equality that we should all have towards one another. He sings about his experiences and the lessons he has learned throughout his life, where he has come to understand that there is more to individuals than their skin color. The famous phrase "You can't judge a book by its cover" is used to explain how skin color doesn't define a person's character. Buddy speaks of a man in Louisiana who referred to him as "boy," which could come across as derogatory, but Buddy knew the man had a good heart but required assistance in seeing Buddy as he was--a man.
Buddy Guy indicates that he has learned throughout his life that everyone should be treated and respected the same way, despite any superficial differences. A message that the song is passing is that before judging someone, we should all take a closer look and focus on the goodness of others. We can all learn from Buddy's wisdom and the example he sets. He also teaches this lesson to his son, who he wants to live in a world where everyone is treated similarly and justly. Essentially, Buddy wants his son to understand that "You should treat people the way you want to be treated," which is the golden rule that creates an equitable society.
Overall, Buddy Guy has written a beautiful and uplifting song that encourages us always to look beyond the surface and to understand that deep down, we are all the same. Regardless of our physical distinctions or individualities, the soul and the heart of humanity is one and the same.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been around a while
I have been alive for a long time
I know wrong from right
I understand what is morally right and wrong
Learned a long time ago
I gained this knowledge a while back
Things ain't always black and white
The world is complex and not always clearly good or bad
Just like you can't judge a book by the cover
People should not be judged by their appearance
We all gotta be careful
Everyone must be cautious
How we treat one another
The way we act towards each other
Skin deep
People should not be judged by their appearance
Underneath we're all the same
At our core, humanity is unified
We're all of the same
All people are equal
A man in Louisiana
I encountered a man in Louisiana
He never called me by my name
He never addressed me properly
He said "Boy, do this" and "Boy, do that"
He spoke to me disrespectfully
But I never once complained
I did not protest his treatment of me
I knew he had a good heart
I believed he was a kind person
But he just didn't understand
He lacked a critical understanding
That I needed to be treated
I required respectful treatment
Just like any other man
As all human beings deserve
I sat my child down
I spoke to my child about something important
When he was old enough to know
Once he was mature enough to comprehend
I said out there in this big wide world
I spoke of the outside world
You're gonna meet all kind of folks
He would encounter diverse people
I said son it all comes down to just one simple rule
I expressed my belief to my child
That you treat everybody just the way
All individuals should be treated
You want them to treat you
As we would want to be treated
Yeah
Indication of affirmation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Buddy Guy, Tom Hambridge, Gary Tolbert Nicholson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PlayingForChange
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@argeliacolon5868
Aa GRACIAS
@pierre-girardmersier9128
J'adore cette musique
@myrthegreenfield2281
Well ,i’m already supporting this by my like, greeting from green Dutchland, LOL
@1942963
envio
@gessijesusmaximiano3744
@@argeliacolon5868 ❤ 387b
@subliminal00
Buddy, if you ever read these messages, know one thing: I am a white middle class kid who lost his dad early on. I made something of himself, but nothing ever made a real difference in my life until I heard you play and sing. Without you, I am not sure where I would be. It sounds crass, but it's very true. You sang about getting along before getting along was a thing. Thank you. I donate to Playing for Change every year and I hope other listeners will too. Music can make a huge difference in peoples lives. It did in mine. I love you Buddy and I love Playing for Change!
@tonymiller6847
I hope to see/hear Buddy live on (/25/2022 in Paso Robles. Be there or Be Square.
@subliminal00
@@tonymiller6847 It's a long drive from Arizona man or I would. Enjoy that show! Btw, Tony Miller Righetti class of 93?
@subliminal00
NM I had the last names mixed up. Tony Miller as in SM high and good friends with Greg?