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.
Diamond Days
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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Some days nickels and dimes
Some days life's a poem
Some days nothing rhymes
Some days you're a winner
Some days you lose
Some days all you're doing is paying dues
On that Friday I was playing on a blues cruise, going to Dominica
Ebbs and flows, like the tide
Some days you get diamonds
Some days nickels and dimes
Some days sparkle
Some days nothing shines
Some days you're given
Some days you choose
Some days all you're doing is paying dues
Tonight I'm sleeping in a 5-Star hotel, Wouldn't ask for more
But I remember I wound up many a night sleeping on a stranger's floor
Sometimes you walk, sometimes you ride
Some folks treat you like something under their shoe, ain't nothin' new
Others greet you like a holy prophet, now what you gonna do'
You try to take it all in stride
'Cause some days you get diamonds
Some days nickels and dimes
Some days you're out of tune
Some days it all chimes
Some days you're grinnin'
Some days you're frownin, ' the blues
Some days all you're doing is payin' dues
Some days all you're doing is payin' dues
Eric Bibb's song "Diamond Days" is a reflection on the ebb and flow of life, and the unpredictable nature of the experiences it brings. Bibb uses the metaphor of getting diamonds, nickels, and dimes to describe how the highs and lows of life can happen at any time. The song's opening lyrics suggest that life can be both beautiful and dissonant, with some days feeling like a well-crafted poem and others feeling like nothing rhymed at all. Bibb sings about how some days you feel like a winner, while on others you might feel like a loser or that you are just paying dues.
Line by Line Meaning
Some days you get diamonds
Some days are filled with great success and rewards
Some days nickels and dimes
Some days only bring small accomplishments without much value
Some days life's a poem
Some days life feels artistic and poetic
Some days nothing rhymes
Some days life seems chaotic and lacking in coherence
Some days you're a winner
Some days you succeed and come out on top
Some days you lose
Some days you experience failure or defeat
Some days all you're doing is paying dues
Some days you feel like you're working hard and paying your dues without much reward
Ebbs and flows, like the tide
Life has its ups and downs, like the movement of the ocean's tide
Some days sparkle
Some days shine brightly and bring a sense of joy
Some days nothing shines
Some days seem dull and lack excitement
Some days you're given
Some days you receive gifts or opportunities you did not earn
Some days you choose
Some days you have to make important decisions and choices for yourself
Tonight I'm sleeping in a 5-Star hotel, Wouldn't ask for more
The singer is currently enjoying a luxurious situation that they are grateful for
But I remember I wound up many a night sleeping on a stranger's floor
The singer has experienced difficult and uncertain times in the past, including being homeless
Sometimes you walk, sometimes you ride
Life involves making different choices and experiencing different circumstances
Some folks treat you like something under their shoe, ain't nothin' new
Some people treat you badly or disrespectfully, which is unfortunately not new or surprising
Others greet you like a holy prophet, now what you gonna do'
Some people treat you with great respect or admiration, which can be unexpected or difficult to handle
You try to take it all in stride
The singer tries to handle life's challenges and successes calmly and without getting too wrapped up in them
Some days you're out of tune
Some days you are not at your best and make mistakes or feel unfulfilled
Some days it all chimes
Some days everything falls into place and feels perfectly in sync
Some days you're grinnin'
Some days bring happiness and joy
Some days you're frownin', the blues
Some days bring sadness or depression
Some days all you're doing is payin' dues
Some days feel like hard work without much payoff
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ERIC BIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind