Eric Bibb (b. 1951) is an American blues singer and guitarist, based in Lon… Read Full Bio ↴Eric Bibb (b. 1951) is an American blues singer and guitarist, based in London, England, who has made his career largely in Europe.

Bibb was born on 16th August 1951 in New York into a musical family. His father, Leon Bibb, is a trained singer who sang in musical theatre and made a name for himself as part of the 1960s New York folk scene. His uncle was the world-famous jazz pianist and composer John Lewis, of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Family friends included Pete Seeger, Odetta, and actor/singer/activist Paul Robeson, Bibb'sgodfather.

Bibb was given his first steel-string guitar when he was seven years old. Growing up surrounded by talent, he recalls a childhood conversation with Bob Dylan, who, on the subject of guitar playing advised the eleven-year-old Bibb to "Keep it simple, forget all that fancy stuff".

At sixteen years old, Bibb's father invited him to play guitar in the house band for his television talent show Someone New. Bibb's early musical heroes were from his father's band, and included Bill Lee (father of director Spike), who appeared on Bibb's album Me To You, years later.

In 1969, Bibb played guitar for the Negro Ensemble Company at St Mark's place in New York, and went on to study Psychology and Russian at Colombia University, but at the age of nineteen he left for Paris, where a meeting with guitarist Mickey Baker focused his interest in blues guitar. When he later moved to Sweden, Bibb found a creative environment which took him back to Greenwich Village during the heyday of the folk revival. Settling in Stockholm, Bibb immersed himself in pre-war blues and continued to write and perform.

The album Good Stuff was released in 1997, and led to Bibb signing to the British based Code Blue label. Eric's only release on Code Blue was Me to You, featuring appearances from some of Bibb's personal heroes in Pops and Mavis Staples, and Taj Mahal (who also worked with Bibb on the Grammy-nominated children's record, Shakin' a Tailfeather). The album furthered Bibb's international reputation and was followed by tours of the U.K., U.S.A., Canada, France, Sweden, and Germany.

In the late 1990s Bibb joined forces with his then manager, Alan Robinson, to form Manhaton Records, in Britain. The albums Home to Me (1999), Roadworks (2000), and Painting Signs (2001) followed, as did another Opus 3 release, Just Like Love.

Destiny Blues
Eric Bibb Lyrics

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Destiny blues
(Eric Bibb)

Five in the morning, baby I can't sleep.
Without a warning, Blues took my soul so deep.

Sometimes baby my destiny, feels like such a mystery to me.

Sitting here thinking, can't tell you what about.
Wish I could speak my mind, but the words won't come out.

It's like the kitchen is full of food, still I'm hungry all the time.
I know God is on my side, so why am I waiting for another sign?

Sometimes baby my destiny, feels like such a mystery to me.

You know my soul craves for water, but my heart wants wine.
Standing at the crossroads, I'm wondering which way is mine.

Life is a winding road, you can't see around the bend.
And when the Blues takes you down, it feels like a dead end.

You know I dreamed I was walking down Broadway. Could have been Fenan Street.
Leadbelly's voice in my head, beat skipping to his beat.

There was a man, he had a story to tell.
Bringing us pure water, from deep down in the well.

He sang the midnight special: "Shine your light on me".
Midnight special: "Shine your - ever loving - light on me".

Midnight special: "Shine your light on me".
Midnight special: "Shine your - ever loving - light on me".

*******************************************
I hope I got everything right.

Overall Meaning

In Eric Bibb's song "Destiny Blues," the opening line sets the mood for a contemplative, sleepless night. The singer is grappling with an unshakable sense of uncertainty, which the Blues has planted deep into his soul. The chorus amplifies these feelings, as Bibb sings, "Sometimes baby my destiny, feels like such a mystery to me." He can't quite figure out where he's headed or what he's supposed to be doing, leaving him feeling lost in the world.

The second verse further emphasizes his inability to articulate his thoughts, as he's not entirely sure what he's even worried about. There's a feeling of restlessness and incompleteness; he's unfulfilled despite having everything he needs. Despite this, the singer trusts in God's plan, as he acknowledges that the higher powers are on his side, and he's just waiting for a sign.

The song's lyrics take a powerful turn during the bridge as Bibb describes standing at a crossroads, something blues music often symbolizes. Here, he wonders which path is his and admits that it's impossible to know what's ahead on any path. The song concludes with a powerful dream sequence, as Bibb is walking down the street with Leadbelly's voice in his head. The singer describes a mysterious man who has a story to tell, bringing pure water from deep down in the well. He sings Leadbelly's classic "Midnight Special," a song about a prisoner pleading for a light to be shined on him, symbolic of the hope that someone on the outside is looking out for him.

Overall, "Destiny Blues" is a beautiful and introspective piece that encapsulates the helpless feeling of uncertainty that can weigh heavy on anyone's heart. The song is a meditation on our individual paths through life and the need for hope and guidance when things don't seem to make sense.

Line by Line Meaning

Five in the morning, baby I can't sleep.
I am awake at five in the morning and unable to sleep.

Without a warning, Blues took my soul so deep.
I am suddenly overwhelmed by the depth of my feelings of sadness and despair.

Sometimes baby my destiny, feels like such a mystery to me.
My future feels uncertain and I am unsure of where my life is headed.

Sitting here thinking, can't tell you what about.
I am lost in thought without a clear focus or direction.

Wish I could speak my mind, but the words won't come out.
I struggle to articulate my thoughts and express myself verbally.

It's like the kitchen is full of food, still I'm hungry all the time.
Despite having an abundance of resources, I still feel unfulfilled and unsatisfied.

I know God is on my side, so why am I waiting for another sign?
I have faith in a higher power, but I am still searching for guidance and direction.

You know my soul craves for water, but my heart wants wine.
I have conflicting desires for both purity and indulgence in life.

Standing at the crossroads, I'm wondering which way is mine.
I am faced with major decisions in life and am uncertain which path to take.

Life is a winding road, you can't see around the bend.
Life is unpredictable and full of twists and turns that can't be anticipated.

And when the Blues takes you down, it feels like a dead end.
When feelings of despair consume you, it can feel like there's no way out.

There was a man, he had a story to tell.
A man had a message he wanted to share.

Bringing us pure water, from deep down in the well.
This man had wisdom to impart that came from a place of depth and sincerity.

He sang the midnight special: "Shine your light on me".
Through song, this man asked for help and guidance in navigating life's challenges.

Midnight special: "Shine your - ever loving - light on me".
He repeated this request for divine intervention with heartfelt emotion and urgency.

Midnight special: "Shine your light on me".
Again, this man asked for the light of the divine to illuminate his path forward in life.

Midnight special: "Shine your - ever loving - light on me".
He once more repeated his request for help and guidance with deep conviction and sincerity.

Writer(s): Eric Charles Bibb

Contributed by Cole K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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