His first album "Smiling Like I'm Happy" saw him playing as a one-man band, playing a bass drum with his foot and blowing a harmonica on a rack while strumming a 1952 Les Paul Goldtop guitar given to him in 1968 by Peter Green. Backed by his girlfriend Stella Sutton and the original Fleetwood Mac on three tracks, the album was well received.
Bennett performed using an impressive one-man-band setup, playing a guitar, harmonica, snare, and bass drum. He was signed to Mike Vernon's Blue Horizon label and released three LPs and numerous singles. Although he played solo in his live performances, his album's found him accompanied by various performers from the British blues circuit, including Top Topham, members of Fleetwood Mac, and his girlfriend Stella Sutton. He remained popular on the UK blues club scene until he was killed in a car accident in March 1976 when he fell asleep while driving home from a gig.
Sleeping In The Ground
Duster Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would rather see you, sleeping in the ground
I would rather see you, sleeping in the ground
Cause you hang around here, no you're gonna put me down
The things you do to hurt me, don't seem to matter to me anymore
The things you do to hurt me, don't seem to matter to me no more
I don't want you trouble woman, I don't want you to mess around
I don't want you trouble woman, I don't want you to mess around
You know you just the worst kinda woman baby, I just got to get out of this town
(Harmonica Solo)
I'm gonna tell you that I love you, don't seem to pay me no mind
I'm gonna tell you that I love you, you don't seem to pay me no mind
Well I just gotta love you baby, (unintelligible)
I'm gonna give you all my money, level ground on everything I own
I'm gonna give you all my money, level ground on everything I own
Well someday I'm gonna get lucky, down the road you know I'm gone
(Harmonica Solo)
The song “Sleeping In The Ground” by Duster Bennett is a blues ballad which depicts a man’s dissatisfaction and resentment towards his woman. The lyrics suggest that he would rather see her dead and buried than stay with her because she hurts him too much. He is fed up with her behavior towards him and decides to leave her and move on with his life. The line “I'm gonna pack these bags baby, I'm gonna take em down the road” shows that he is making a deliberate effort to separate from her and venture into new opportunities. As he tells her that he loves her, he still doesn’t get the respect he desires from her. This is emphasized by the line, “I'm gonna tell you that I love you, you don't seem to pay me no mind.”
The chorus “I would rather see you, sleeping in the ground” is a powerful yet contentious line that is open to interpretation. It is uncertain whether he is serious in his words or if he is saying it out of frustration. He may be expressing a hyperbolic statement to show the intensity of his emotions towards her. Alternatively, it could be a reference to a metaphorical “death” of their relationship since he is abandoning her. The harmonica solo reinforces the sadness and despair in the song as it depicts the singer’s emotions.
Some possible interpretations of the lyrics include themes of heartbreak, regret, and resentment. The singer is embittered by his woman's actions and is ready to move on with his life. The repetitious nature of the song further establishes the man’s certainty in his decision to leave his woman behind. As the song ends, the solo harmonica suggests a melancholic tone that is in line with the overall message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I would rather see you, sleeping in the ground
I hope you die and get buried because you're causing me too much pain.
Cause you hang around here, no you're gonna put me down
You're always around, and I know you're going to bring me down.
The things you do to hurt me, don't seem to matter to me anymore
Your hurtful actions towards me don't affect me anymore.
You know I'm gonna pack these bags baby, I'm gonna take em down the road
I'm leaving and taking my belongings with me.
I don't want you trouble woman, I don't want you to mess around
I don't want any more problems or drama from you.
You know you just the worst kinda woman baby, I just got to get out of this town
You're the worst kind of woman and I need to leave this town to avoid you.
I'm gonna tell you that I love you, don't seem to pay me no mind
I express my love to you, but you ignore me.
Well I just gotta love you baby, (unintelligible)
I can't help but love you, even though you don't feel the same.
I'm gonna give you all my money, level ground on everything I own
I will give you everything I have, including my money and possessions.
Well someday I'm gonna get lucky, down the road you know I'm gone
One day I'll be lucky enough to leave this situation and be gone.
Contributed by Gavin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Johnny's Rare Groovies
I love this album. I searched it for many years. Thanks for upload
Ab Borburgh
you're welcome
Patrick Langdon
I've been looking for this album, thank you.
Aurelio Brighton
Cheers Mr. Ab. Back in England with some Welsh linnen around the notes. 💐Duster.
Alan C.
Thanks again brother, greets from Germany !
red dust
SUPER COOL
ktmjon mills
Ah, another DB fan, Have you by any chance this track?..... "I've got to be with you tonight" from "Jumping at Shadows" CD on indigo records. I think it is the best song he recorded. All I have is a truncated recording from the radio back in the 90's, regards John
Ab Borburgh
Hello, I don't have that CD and the song is not on "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions". I will look around.
Ab Borburgh
And guess what? "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" got blocked!
Ab Borburgh
Maybe you like the version of "I've Got To Be With You Tonight" by Reverend Raven.