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.
Me to you
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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Night sky for a blanket, cardboard for a bed
They are the homeless, now here's the news
One day, it might be me, could be you
Downtrodden, Lord, how it must feel
People starin' at you, like you're not real
They are the homeless, now here's some news
Hard rock for a pillow
Cold ground for a bed
Night sky the only blanket
Lord, they're sleepin' on a cardboard bed
It's up to me, it's up to you
Tell the politician what to do
Fight for the homeless, don't be ashamed
'Cos one day soon, could be you, or me again
The lyrics of Eric Bibb's "Me to You" highlight the plight of the homeless and serve as a reminder of how fragile our lives and circumstances can be. The opening lines describe the harsh reality of a homeless person's life, with "Rock for a pillow, cold ground for a bed" and "Night sky for a blanket, cardboard for a bed". These images vividly depict the struggle and difficulty that the homeless have to face each day.
The song goes on to talk about the stigma that homeless people face, with people looking down on them as if they are not real. This stigma often fuels the perception that they are somehow inferior or undeserving. The song is a plea to society to recognize the humanity in these people and to not forget that their circumstances could happen to anyone, "One day, it might be me, could be you"
The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the living conditions of the homeless. It then goes on to remind us that we have a role to play in helping the homeless. The song calls on everyone to stand up for the homeless and to fight for their rights. "It's up to me, it's up to you, Tell the politician what to do, Fight for the homeless, don't be ashamed, 'Cos one day soon, could be you or me again"
Overall, the lyrics of "Me to You" are thought-provoking and shine a light on the struggles of the homeless, remind us of the importance of empathy and compassion, and provide a call to action for all of us to take responsibility for the plight of those less fortunate.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock for a pillow, cold ground for a bed
The homeless are forced to sleep on hard rocks instead of pillows and the cold ground instead of a bed.
Night sky for a blanket, cardboard for a bed
Homeless people do not have any real blankets to cover themselves with at night and must resort to cardboards.
They are the homeless, now here's the news
The song presents the subject matter of homelessness as the news.
One day, it might be me, could be you
No one knows when homelessness might strike, hence it can happen to anyone.
Downtrodden, Lord, how it must feel
The plight of the homeless exposes them to unrelenting oppression and misery.
People starin' at you, like you're not real
People tend to avoid the homeless or look down on them, which worsens their already difficult conditions.
They are the homeless, now here's some news
The song reiterates that homelessness is an issue that calls for attention and concern.
Oh, one day, could be me, could be you
The possibility of becoming homeless is open to everyone, revealing that no one is immune to misfortune.
Hard rock for a pillow
The homeless often find themselves with no pillows, thus using hard rock as a substitute.
Cold ground for a bed
Homeless people rely on the cold ground instead of a bed to sleep on.
Night sky the only blanket
Without shelter or protection, the only source of comfort is the night sky.
Lord, they're sleepin' on a cardboard bed
The homeless resort to sleeping on nothing more than cardboard sheets as a substitute for proper bedding.
It's up to me, it's up to you
The song is a call to action for everyone to do their part and address the issue of homelessness.
Tell the politician what to do
The government must be held accountable and pressured to take action to prevent and alleviate homelessness.
Fight for the homeless, don't be ashamed
The cause of the homeless deserves more than pity, it calls for urgent action and advocacy.
'Cos one day soon, could be you, or me again
The possibility of falling on hard times and being rendered homeless should serve as a reminder of the need for compassion and assistance.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Eric Bibb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@00876Z
I would walk across burning desert
Bearing water to quench your thirst
Just call my name
In the time it takes to think of me
I will be there by your side
I'll be there, call my name
Give me your hand
And I'll take you somewhere so beautiful
Give me your dreams
Together we'll make them come true
Give me the pieces
Of your heart when it's broken, I'll mend it for you
I will carry you when you're weary
When your faith is running low
Just rest in me, I'll be there for you, just believe it
Any hour any day, I'll be there, rest in me
Give me your hand
And I'll take you somewhere so beautiful
Give me your dreams
Together we'll make them come true
Give me the pieces
Of your heart when it's broken
I'll mend it, I'll mend it
Oh, I'll mend it for you
Read more: Eric Bibb - For You Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@margiejacobsen9887
Enjoyed him live several years ago. Just fantastic!!!!
@Sigurdar
This song came to me in a moment of true despair. I asked for some kind of comfort in a difficult moment and came to me in the form of Eric Bibb.. Thank you, Eric.
@tinala1014
One of the most beautiful songs ever written!
@dianasayer7436
Love, love, love this song! All of his music is awesome 👌. I saw him in Seattle in 2014. It was a beautiful concert. I have a photo with him that I'll cherish forever!
@oxnist
I can only say, this still remains, one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, still brings a tear to my eye.
@maggibridgeman9686
EricBibb was the first artist that my late husband saw together at the start of our relationship and we both loved this song. We both knew that something special was starting for us both after going through painful breakups. We played this at our wedding and hands were the core of our relationship, mine practical and his creative. He was an accomplished musician and had so much talent in his fingers so, when he was dying, we made a cast of his left hand. I can still hold it and feel him near. This song makes that so much more real. Thank you, Eric.
@usairbloom
This song is absolutely gorgeous. When you are truly in love with your wife and can't live without her, play this for her. I think to be there to lift her in the dark moments is one of the greatest blessings in life you can have.
@mohawkbell
Beautiful, soulful, profound lyrics and his sense of delivery is healing, simple, impossible to really express. Love heals
@KayAichJay
Dave Bronze gives an amazing performance as well. You don't play with the caliber of artists he has played with, without being one of the best yourself.
@martinechabot1438
Magnifique♥️♥️♥️♥️ rien de plus beau 🎶🎶