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
Snakecharmer
Doyle Bramhall II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you realize what you said
You don't know me and you don't know me
I can't hear you well I forgot your name
Stop pretending that you care
I could always see through thin air
Say you love me but you don't even know me
Well it's a shame
Yeah a shame
I have to see your face again
Well I hope that I get to heaven
So I won't have to see you at the end
Everyday bring all charm
Reach out a hand with a snake around your arm
Say you love me and you don't even know me
I can't hear you I forgot your name
Well it's a shame
Yeah a shame
I have to see your face again
Well I hope that I get to heaven
So I won't have to see your face again
Well it's a shame
Yeah a shame
I have to see your face again
Well I hope that I get to heaven
So I won't have to see you at the end
Well it's a shame
Yeah a shame
I have to see your face again
Well I hope that I get to heaven
So I won't have to see you at the end
The lyrics of "Snakecharmer" by Doyle Bramhall II & Smokestack speak to the pain caused by a person who pretends to care about and love someone else, but in reality doesn't even know them. The singer's eyes turn from blue to red, indicating anger and frustration at this fake connection. The repetition of "I can't hear you, I forgot your name" emphasizes the lack of genuine understanding and deep connection in the relationship. The snake metaphor also adds to the deceitful nature of the situation, symbolizing the dangerous and unpredictable presence of this person in the singer's life.
The chorus declares that it's a shame to have to see this person's face again and shows the singer's desire to avoid them in the future - even going as far as hoping to not see them at the end (presumably meaning death). The repeated emotion of shame and the longing to distance oneself from the person who is causing it highlights the deep pain that false affection can cause.
Overall, "Snakecharmer" is a song about the dangers of pretending to care and love someone when there is no genuine connection or understanding. It highlights the hurt and pain that can be caused when a relationship is built on deceit and false emotions, as well as the singer's desire to move on and distance themselves from this harmful presence.
Line by Line Meaning
See my eyes turn from blue to red
My mood has changed dramatically and my anger is rising.
Do you realize what you said
You have said something that has angered me or hurt my feelings.
You don't know me and you don't know me
You're trying to act like you know me or understand me, but you really don't.
I can't hear you well I forgot your name
I'm purposely ignoring you or pretending I don't know you because I don't want to talk to you.
Stop pretending that you care
You're pretending to care about me or my feelings, but I know it's not genuine.
I could always see through thin air
I can easily see through your façade or deception.
Say you love me but you don't even know me
You're saying you love me, but you don't really know anything about me or my true self.
Everyday bring all charm
Every day you try to charm me or win me over, but it never works.
Reach out a hand with a snake around your arm
You're trying to lure me in or manipulate me with something dangerous or deceptive.
Well it's a shame
It's regrettable or unfortunate.
Yeah a shame
An expression of sorrow or disappointment.
I have to see your face again
I don't want to see you again, but unfortunately I have to.
Well I hope that I get to heaven
I hope that when I die, I'll be able to move on from this experience and not have to deal with you anymore.
So I won't have to see you at the end
I don't want to have any association with you, even in the afterlife.
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andrer999
Rick Beato brought me here.
@MichaelKmita
Same:)
This rhythm reminds me Limp Bizkit's Just Like This. Doesn't it?
@uffeohmsen5418
Me too :)
@videocypher
Same same :) Awesome track, though!
@mvr82costarica
Same here! Great Riff, great Drums!
@skipthornhooter
Me too...greeeaaat !
@MoneyBooBoo
Rick Beato brought me here with this drum sound list
@maruta2950
me too
@bradjoyce8620
Thank you Rick Beato
@waranghira
Thank you Rick Beato.