Buddy Guy has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Eric Clapton said "Buddy Guy was to me what Elvis was for others." Clapton said in a 1985 Musician magazine article that "Buddy Guy is by far and without a doubt the best guitar player alive...if you see him in person, the way he plays is beyond anyone. Total freedom of spirit, I guess. He really changed the course of rock and roll blues."
Buddy Guy recalls: "Eric Clapton and I are the best of friends and I like the tune "Strange Brew" and we were sitting and having a drink one day and I said 'Man, that "Strange Brew"...you just cracked me up with that note.' And he said 'You should...cause it's your licks...' " As soon as Clapton completed his famous Derek & the Dominos sessions in October 1970, he co-produced (with Ahmet Ertegün and Tom Dowd) the Buddy Guy & Junior Wells Play The Blues album with Guy's longtime harp and vocal compatriot, Junior Wells. The record, released in 1972, is regarded by some critics as among the finest electric blues recordings of the modern era.
But by the late 1960s, Guy's star was in decline. Guy's career finally took off during the blues revival period of the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was sparked by Clapton's request that Guy be part of the '24 Nights' all-star blues guitar lineup at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Guy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2005 by Eric Clapton and B.B. King. Clapton (who holds the record for being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, as a solo artist and also as a member of the bands Cream and The Yardbirds) recalled seeing Guy perform in London’s Marquee Club in 1965, impressing him with his technique, his looks and his charismatic showmanship. He remembered seeing Guy pick the guitar with his teeth and play it over his head—two tricks that later influenced Jimi Hendrix. Guy’s acceptance speech was concise: "If you don’t think you have the blues, just keep living."
Clapton and Guy have played a number of live performances, most of them available in bootleg form. Some of them, most particularly the Live at Ronnie Scott's one form 1987 are cited as one of the greatest electric-blues recordings of the modern age blues.
If anyone can get Clapton playing in a way that fits his ability, it's Buddy Guy!
Rock Me Baby
Eric Clapton & Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rock me baby, rock me all night long
Rock me baby, like my back ain't got no bones
Rock me baby, honey, rock me slow
Rock me baby, honey, rock me slow
Rock me baby, till I want no more
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
Rock me all night long
The classic blues number "Rock Me Baby" has been performed by countless blues artists over the years, but perhaps none more famously than Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. The song is a sensual call to a lover to rock the singer all night long, to hold him tight and let him forget that he even has a back. The chorus repeats this request, emphasizing the need for a slow, steady rocking that will take the singer to new heights of pleasure.
Some have interpreted the lyrics of "Rock Me Baby" as a metaphor for the blues itself, with the slow, steady beat representing the cathartic release of emotions that comes with the music. Others see it simply as a catchy, sexy love song, with the rocking motion of the lyrics echoing the physical act of lovemaking. Either way, the song is a classic example of the blues genre, with its spare lyrics and repetitive structure allowing the music to take center stage.
But beyond the lyrics, it's the performance of "Rock Me Baby" that truly makes it stand out. Clapton and Guy's version is a masterclass in blues guitar playing, with each musician taking turns on lead guitar and showcasing their considerable talents. The two create a lush soundscape, with Guy's soulful vocals blending perfectly with Clapton's soaring guitar lines. It's a performance that leaves the listener feeling like they've truly been rocked all night long.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock me baby, rock me all night long
Please soothe me, love me and hold me tightly all through the night
Rock me baby, like my back ain't got no bones
Massage my back with your love and care generously so that I feel lively and youthful
Rock me baby, honey, rock me slow
Please caress me attentively and gradually with tenderness
Rock me baby, till I want no more
Embrace me and shower me with your love until I am fully content and satisfied
Rock me all night long
Keep me comforted by your soothing presence throughout the entire night
Rock me all night long
Continue to hold me gently and tenderly for a prolonged period of time
Rock me all night long
Keep soothing me and loving me all through the night
Rock me all night long
Please don't stop holding me and comforting me until dawn
Rock me all night long
Continue to caress me and keep me happy until the sun rises
Rock me all night long
Let your love be infinite and keep me pacified all through the night
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MELVIN JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@randomnameindeed
Buddy Guy just blows everyone out of the water with his solo here. It's such an aggressive, dirty and hard hitting solo. Raw emotion. Love it!
@ExtremeWays4Bourne
I have never heard anything like it.
@garygruber1452
As much as I like Buddy Guy, we stopped going to see him in concert a couple of years ago due to his propensity to me extremely vulgar on stage. With music as great as his, that is totally unnecessary.
@Storstrom-Youtube
He is amazing, but I think that all of them are. Very equal and unique in their own right...
@joshbowers1898
@@garygruber1452 he’s a grown man Gary if he wants to say fuck on stage that’s his right , I don’t think he’s hurtin without your ticket sales
@garygruber1452
@@joshbowers1898 The fact that you can do something does not necessarily mean that you should do it.
This is one of the precepts of what we call a 'civil society'.
@danf8047
These 4 giants/legends on one stage... this will never happen again, pure music, talent and so much fun... :)
@oswaldoarias2999
No fancy clothes, the cheapest and unconfortable chairs ever and still blowing everybody minds with their talent, this was awesome 👌🏽
@nigil7386
Usually Eric is my favourite, but that Buddy’s solo is incredible
@jmr1068204
2:34 BB King approves of Clapton's amazing Blues solo skills...