GARY CLARK JR.began playing guitar in 1996 at the ripe young age of 12. Born and raised in Austin, TX, Gary continued to play small gigs throughout his early teens, until he popped on the radar of legendary promoter Clifford Antone, owner of the Austin blues club Antone's. Through Clifford's connections, Gary soon began sitting in and learning from an array of musical icons, including the incomparable Jimmie Vaughan.
Jimmie and others in the Austin music community mentored Gary along his path, facilitating his steady rise, and continued ascent in the Texas music scene. Gary's musical peers, as well as the Austin music community at-large, have showered him with critical acclaim for his galvanized live performances, and fervid expression. At one unexpected point of political recognition, mayor of Austin Kirk Watson proclaimed May 3, 2001 Gary Clark Jr Day. Gary was 18 years old at the time.
Gary went on to win the Austin Music Award for Best Blues and Electric Guitarist on three separate occasions, in addition to receiving awards from various Blues magazines and associations around the country. After playing the nationally televised show Austin City Limits and touring with the likes of artists such as Jimmie Vaughan, Pinetop Perkins, and Doyle Bramhall II, he continued his recording pursuits by releasing three self-produced albums, and creating the original score for the major motion picture Full Count. His creative versatility allowed him to transcend his own musical talents, while also starring as a principal character in John Sayle’s film Honeydripper, alongside actors Danny Glover and Stacy Keach.
Originally known as a blues musician and even compared to such greats as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins and Albert King, Gary is stepping out...way out. His upcoming CD will really test his blues fans. Will they appreciate Gary's guitar chops and his soulful voice as he explores other genres? Gary hopes so and he hopes they will continue with him on his journey. And with this new sound, we're thinking Gary will pick up some new fans along the way.
HIs first major label LP "Blak and Blu" was released on October 22, 2012
Catfish Blues
Gary Clark Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was a catfish
Swimmin in a oh, deep, blue sea
I'd have all you pretty women,
Fishin after me, fishin after me, fishin after me yeah
Well, I'm broke and I'm hungry
Well, I'm Ragged and I'm dirty too
Can I come home with you
Come home with you, yeah
Come home with you
If you don't let me in
Can I lay 'round your door
Yeah, I'll leave so early baby
Your man won't know, your man won't know, your man won't know
Yeah, I love
I love my baby
Yeah, she's gone, scream and shout
When my train comes rollin' in
And I come rollin' out
Come rollin' out
Come rollin' out
Yeah, I'm leavin'
I'm leavin' you baby
And your crying won't make me stay
Yeah, the more you cry, baby
Further I'll go away
Further I'll go away
Further I'll go away
And I know, I know you don't want me
Yeah, I wanted you darlin'
You tell me so
Well you ain't got to worry about me
Hangin' round' no more
Hangin' round' no more
Hangin' round' no more
"Catfish Blues" by Gary Clark Jr. is a song that muses about the life of a catfish in the deep, blue ocean. The singer envies the life of the catfish, believing that if he were a catfish, he would have all the pretty women fishing after him. The singer is poor, hungry, ragged, and dirty, and he is seeking shelter at someone's home. He is willing to clean up if they let him in, and if they don't, he is willing to lay around their door. The singer's love for his baby is evident in his words, but he is still leaving her, and her crying will not stop him from going. Although she tells him she doesn't want him, he doesn't worry about hanging around her anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I wish
The singer expresses his desire for something he cannot have.
I was a catfish
The singer wishes he could transform into a catfish.
Swimmin in a oh, deep, blue sea
The singer wishes to swim in a deep blue sea as a catfish.
I'd have all you pretty women,
The singer imagines having attention from attractive women.
Fishin after me, fishin after me, fishin after me yeah
The singer believes he would be desirable to women if he were a catfish in the sea.
Well, I'm broke and I'm hungry
The singer is currently experiencing financial hardship and hunger.
Well, I'm Ragged and I'm dirty too
The singer's appearance is unkempt and unclean.
If I clean up now baby
The singer is asking for a chance to improve his appearance.
Can I come home with you
The singer is asking to be allowed to stay at the listener's home.
If you don't let me in
The singer is preparing for the possibility of being rejected from the listener's home.
Can I lay 'round your door
The singer is asking for a place to stay near the listener's home.
Yeah, I'll leave so early baby
The singer promises to leave early if allowed to stay near the listener's home.
Your man won't know, your man won't know, your man won't know
The singer is reassuring the listener that her partner will not find out about their interaction.
Yeah, I love
The singer expresses his feelings of love.
I love my baby
The singer loves the person he is addressing.
Yeah, she's gone, scream and shout
The person the singer loves has left him and he is expressing his sadness.
When my train comes rollin' in
The singer is waiting for a train to arrive.
And I come rollin' out
The singer will emerge from the train when it arrives.
Yeah, I'm leavin'
The singer is announcing that he is leaving.
I'm leavin' you baby
The singer is leaving the person he loves.
And your crying won't make me stay
The singer is resolute in his decision to leave and is not letting the other person's emotions sway him.
Yeah, the more you cry, baby
The singer acknowledges the person he loves is crying.
Further I'll go away
The more the other person cries, the more distance the singer will put between them.
And I know, I know you don't want me
The singer understands that the person he loves does not want him anymore.
Yeah, I wanted you darlin'
The singer acknowledges that he still loves the other person.
You tell me so
The other person has expressed that they do not want to be with the singer.
Well you ain't got to worry about me
The singer is letting the other person know that they do not have to concern themselves with him anymore.
Hangin' round' no more
The singer will not continue to linger around the person he loves.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MUDDY WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nickmungia3951
Back in 2017 I had the pleasure of seeing GCJ in GrandRapids. That day my mother was diagnosed with leukemia. She made me still go to the show. I had made a comment about my situation and expressed catfish blues was always a favorite song of my mother. Gary came out on stage said a few words directed to me about my mom and opened his show with a like 10 minute rendition of catfish blues. I was brought to tears.
@mistyblue5386
That is so beautiful 😍 😢😊and that's love for those that love him and his 🎶 music.
@josephshaneferguson6561
i seen this cat open for eric johnson on his 18th birthday at STUBBS
@jimmypercival2728
I hope your Mother is still with us and that was really nice of Gary .
@nickmungia3951
No Jimmy she passed a month after I saw Gary
@karenmacphee7415
My heart goes out to you Mom & Family. Many Blessings 🙏
What GCJ did for you was a Healing with his Amazing Talent! Tears always lets pain out of your very Soul. Sending my energy out to you, for more Healing with The Blues. GKJ is Beautiful
@silvershirley2995
Oh my God, Gary Clark Jr.oh you are some bad. I'm a 64 years young fannnnnn!!! You are amazing . I know great music when I hear it and your vocals are simply beautiful.Keep playing and stay healthy!!!!!!
@garyclarkjr.9018
It has been a perfect playing for me having a lovely and awesome Fan like you, thanks for your love, I have you mostly to be thankful for 🎼🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🌹🌹🌹
@silvershirley2995
@Gary Clark Jr. I know your mom is so proud and I'm so proud as if you are my son too. Seeing you in Mississippi, still doesn't seem real...Peace, Blessings and Blues.❤❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥
@silvershirley2995
garyclarkjr. Haha I collected another year on you. I'm still checking in for my late night bedtime song. Love you keep playing and singing your heart and I'm going to be watching. Love,Blessings and Blues