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.
Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going down that road feeling bad
Well I'm going down that road feeling bad, Honey Babe
And I ain't gonna be treated this a-way
What I got gonna sure bring you back
What I got gonna sure bring you back
What I got gonna sure bring you back
Well they feed me on corn bread and peas
Feed me on corn bread and peas
They feed me on corn bread and peas, Honey Babe
And I ain't gonna be treated this a-way
Well I'm down here in this valley on my knees
Down in this valley on my knees
I'm down here in this valley on my knees, Honey Babe
And I ain't gonna be treated this a-way
Yes I'm going where the weather suits my clothes
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes, Honey Babe
And I ain't gonna be treated this a-way
I'm going down that road feeling bad
I'm going down that road feeling bad
Going down that road feeling bad, Honey Babe
And I ain't gonna be treated this a-way
The lyrics of Eric Bibb's "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" are simple and straightforward. The singer is expressing their frustration and determination to not be treated poorly anymore. The repetition of the opening line "Well I'm going down that road feeling bad" emphasizes the singer's sense of despair and dissatisfaction with their current situation. They are on a journey, both physically and emotionally, and they are done with being treated poorly.
The singer then offers a solution to their problem, claiming that what they have will "sure bring you back." It's unclear who this "you" refers to, but it suggests that the singer has something valuable to offer that will make whoever has mistreated them want to come back. The repetition of this line again emphasizes the singer's confidence in their worth and value.
The following verse talks about being fed on cornbread and peas, which could be a reference to being treated poorly or living in poverty. Regardless, the singer reiterates that they will not tolerate being treated poorly.
The next verse reflects a moment of vulnerability as the singer is down on their knees in a valley. This could be interpreted as the singer feeling lost and defeated, but they still hold onto their refusal to be treated poorly.
Finally, the singer declares that they are going where the weather suits their clothes. This suggests that they are moving on to a place where they will be treated better and feel more comfortable.
Overall, "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" is a song about the struggle for dignity and respect in the face of mistreatment. It's a powerful message that still resonates today.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm going down that road feeling bad
Despite moving forward through life, I am not happy with my current situation and I am feeling down.
And I ain't gonna be treated this a-way
I refuse to be treated poorly by anyone, and I am standing up for myself.
What I got gonna sure bring you back
I have something that will make you regret treating me badly and bring you back to treat me better.
Well they feed me on corn bread and peas
The people around me are only giving me the bare minimum to survive and sustain myself.
I'm down here in this valley on my knees
I am at a low point in my life and feeling helpless and vulnerable.
Yes I'm going where the weather suits my clothes
I am choosing to travel to a place where I will feel more comfortable and where my surroundings will be more conducive to my personal needs.
Going down that road feeling bad, Honey Babe
Despite having a significant other, I am still feeling unhappy and unfulfilled in my journey through life.
Writer(s): Pd Traditional, Eric Bibb
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kjguitarman
Love this version! đź‘Ź
@robertrohrs9195
Man, that's fantastic.
@brendanconway7317
Coolest bloke ever
@235buz
Don't get much more real than that!
@ianharrison873
What a wonderful, wonderful version - stunning!!!!
@torontolarrivee7965
wow ...
@anthonyjames5474
I swear I almost thought he was going to say learned it from ..Jerry
@rickcar94
Definitely not his best performance. He made a lot of mistakes but I still love him. One of my favourite singers/songwriters.
@sbluez6444
And where are the mistakes?
@rickcar94
@@sbluez6444 3:48 Guitar playing/fingerpicking is just not as smooth as some other performances I've seen of this song, lots of missing notes and it seems like he's rushing through it.