At age 16, Doyle Bramhall II toured with Jimmie Vaughan's band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, as second guitarist. In 1992 Doyle formed Arc Angels with Charlie Sexton and Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section of bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton (also known as Double Trouble). Doyle became Eric Clapton's second guitarist in 2004 after Andy Fairweather-Low backed out of the tour. He left Clapton's band in 2009 to reform Arc Angels.
"Doyle Bramhall II was raised in a home filled with the blues and rock and roll sounds that are indigenous to his birthplace - Austin, Texas. His father, Doyle Bramhall Senior, was the drummer for blues legend Lightning Hopkins and a regular collaborator with Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
When Doyle was 16 years old, he toured as second guitarist with Jimmy Vaughan's band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Shortly thereafter he and fellow Texan, Charlie Sexton, co-founded the rock band Arc Angels. Doyle and Charlie enlisted the rhythm section from Stevie Ray Vaughan's backing band, Double Trouble, to complete the lineup. The group enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success.
Following the release of "Jellycream," Doyle's 1999 RCA debut recording, he received phone calls from both Roger Waters and Eric Clapton. Doyle ended up joining Roger Waters for a summer tour while Clapton, along with fellow blues great B.B. King, chose two of Doyle's songs - "Marry You" and "I Wanna Be" - for their collaborative recording entitled "Riding With The King." Upon completion of the "Riding..." project, Doyle, his wife - Susannah Melvoin, and Clapton co-wrote and performed "Superman Inside" for Clapton's album, "Reptile." Doyle's playing is also heavily featured on the album.
The latest offering from Doyle Bramhall II, entitled - "Welcome" - is the purest sampling of Doyle's talents to date. Doyle entered the studio with Smokestack, the band he put together a couple of years ago, and co-producers Benmont Tench and Jim Scott to record the 12 - song set. Joining Doyle in Smokestack is J.J. Johnson on drums and bassist Chris Bruce. Susannah Melvoin contributed background vocals, Benmont Tench pulled keyboard duty and Craig Ross played second guitar.
The album, "Welcome" showcases the diversity of Bramhall's talent; from his songwriting to his intense, soulful vocals and virtuoso guitar playing. Doyle's gravity explosion can be readily heard on such tracks as the driving "Green Light Girl" and the uptempo "Soul Shaker." His dedication to the blues can be felt on tracks like "Life," "So You Want It To Rain" and "Send Some Love."
Doyle and his band are set to open for Eric Clapton on the first leg of a worldwide tour this year".
Official Site
Helpless Man
Doyle Bramhall II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better not be home
I'm tearin' up the past
See me bleedin'
You left me roses
Well save'em for my grave
I'm a helpless man
I'm a helpless man
Found me downtown
To see her latest show
She gonna take me back
Lookin' broke down
Catch me fallin' baby
Luck has run away from here
Helpless man
Helpless man
I'm a helpless man
Nights of rage that you cannot escape
Keep on travelin' with a band
Jumpin' cars on the union train
Lead me to a holy land
I'm a helpless man
I'm a helpless man
I'm a helpless man
Nights of rage that I cannot escape
Keep on travelin' with a band
Jumpin' cars on the union train
Lead me to a holy land
Holy land
The song "Helpless Man" by Doyle Bramhall II & Smokestack is a blues rock ballad that portrays a feeling of emotional turmoil and desperation. The lyrics seem to be directed at a past lover, and there is a sense of resentment and anger towards her. The lines "When I get back, you better not be home, I'm tearing up the past" suggest that the singer is trying to move on from the relationship but is struggling to do so. The reference to bleeding and the request to save the roses for his grave highlights the hurt and pain he is experiencing, perhaps as a result of the breakup. However, there is also a sense of hope in the line "She gonna take me back, looking broke down, catch me falling baby, luck has run away from here." This suggests the singer is still holding onto some hope of reconciliation, even though everything seems lost.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Helpless Man" three times, emphasizing the hopeless condition the singer is in. The following lines mention "nights of rage" and "traveling with a band," possibly indicating that the singer is a musician who is struggling to cope with the emotional upheavals of life on the road. The "holy land" mentioned in the last line could be interpreted as a metaphorical destination or goal that the singer strives to reach, in order to escape his sense of helpless despair.
Line by Line Meaning
When I get back
As soon as I return,
You better not be home
Make sure you're not around,
I'm tearin' up the past
I'm destroying all memories,
See me bleedin'
Witness my suffering,
You left me roses
You gave me nothing but false hope,
Well save'em for my grave
Don't bother giving me anything,
I'm a helpless man
I can't help myself,
Found me downtown
I was discovered in the city center,
To see her latest show
To watch her perform,
She gonna take me back
She's going to give me another chance,
Lookin' broke down
Appearing defeated,
Catch me fallin' baby
Help me when I'm falling apart,
Luck has run away from here
I'm out of luck,
Nights of rage that you cannot escape
Unavoidable periods of anger,
Keep on travelin' with a band
Continuing a journey alongside musicians,
Jumpin' cars on the union train
Riding trains illegally,
Lead me to a holy land
Guide me to a better place,
I'm a helpless man
I'm completely powerless,
Holy land
A place of salvation and happiness,
Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.