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.
Nobody's Fault But Mine
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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Nobody's fault but mine
Trying to save my soul tonight
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
The devil he told me to roll
The devil he told me to roll
How to roll the log tonight
Brother he showed me the gong?
Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
How to keep that gong alive
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
Got a monkey on my back
Got a mo, mo, mo, mo, monkey on my back, back, back, back
Gonna change my ways tonight
Nobody's fault but mine
I will get down rollin' tonight
No-no-no-no-no-no-nobody's fault
The lyrics of Eric Bibb's song "Nobody's Fault But Mine" are about taking responsibility for one's own actions, and the consequences that come with them. The repeated line "Nobody's fault but mine" is a reminder that ultimately, we are in charge of our own fate. The lyrics speak of temptation and the influences around us that can lead us astray. The devil is mentioned, and the temptation to give in to desires that may not be the best for our soul is described.
The verse about the brother showing how to keep the gong alive can be interpreted as a call for guidance and support from those around us, but ultimately, it is up to us to keep going and keep our soul intact. The monkey on the back can be seen as a metaphor for temptation and the struggles that come with trying to live a good life. The song is a reflection on the journey of self-awareness and taking responsibility for one's own path.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, nobody's fault but mine
I am responsible for my own actions and their consequences.
Nobody's fault but mine
I alone am the one who can make choices that lead to success or failure.
Trying to save my soul tonight
I am making an effort to improve my situation and make better choices going forward.
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
I take full responsibility for the outcomes of my own decisions and actions.
The devil he told me to roll
I was tempted towards a destructive path by a negative influence.
The devil he told me to roll
I was advised to engage in self-destructive behavior by a harmful influence.
How to roll the log tonight
I was taught or influenced to do something detrimental or damaging.
Nobody's fault but mine
I am solely responsible for the decisions I make and their consequences.
Brother he showed me the gong?
Someone close to me introduced me to a negative influence or activity.
Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
A poor role model or negative influence showed me how to engage in a self-destructive behavior or activity.
How to keep that gong alive
I was taught how to continue a negative or self-destructive behavior or activity.
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
When it comes to making decisions that impact my life, I am solely responsible for their outcomes.
Got a monkey on my back
I am struggling with addiction, negative influences, or a self-destructive behavior.
Got a mo, mo, mo, mo, monkey on my back, back, back, back
I am weighed down by a harmful or negative influence that I can't seem to shake.
Gonna change my ways tonight
I am committed to making better choices and moving forward in a positive direction.
Nobody's fault but mine
Ultimately, the results of my actions and decisions are my responsibility alone.
I will get down rollin' tonight
I am making a conscious choice to engage in positive behaviors and take control of my own life.
No-no-no-no-no-no-nobody's fault
I am acknowledging that the outcomes of my actions are solely my responsibility.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, JAMES PATRICK (JIMMY) PAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind