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
Don't Owe You A Thang
Gary Clark Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't got no money
No fancy car
Ain't got no excuses baby
Hanging at the bar
I don't owe you a thang, baby
I don't owe you a thang
I don't owe you a thang
Oh, we ain't gettin' married
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
That's alright
Ain't got no credit
No fancy clothes
Ain't got no excuses baby
But goodness knows
I don't owe you a thang, baby
I don't owe you a thang
I don't owe you a thang, baby
I don't owe you a thang
Oh, we ain't gettin' married
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
That's alright
This all you gettin' now, baby
This all you get
This all you gettin' now, baby
This all you get
This all you get now, mama
This all you get
Just me and this guitar, baby
This all you get
Well, ain't got no apologies
Won't be no fairy tale
I ain't got no excuses baby
I'm doin' my deal
I don't owe you a thang, baby
I don't owe you a thang
I don't owe you a thang, baby
I don't owe you a thang
Oh, we ain't gettin' married
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
That's alright
I ain't got no money
Ain't got no car
Ain't got no excuses, baby
I'm drinking at the bar
I don't owe you a thang, mama
I don't owe you a thang
I don't owe you a thang, baby
I don't owe you a thang
'Cause we ain't gettin' married
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
That's alright
'Cause we ain't gettin' married
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
That's alright
Well, we ain't gettin' married, nah
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
The song is about a man who is being pressured by his partner for marriage and material things, but he has nothing to offer except himself and his guitar. He openly admits that he has no money, no fancy car, no credit, and no fancy clothes. He's not making any excuses, he's just telling it how it is. He states that he owes his partner nothing and he's not going to buy her a diamond ring or marry her just to satisfy her expectations. He's content with what he has and his partner should be too.
The song's lyrics have a strong sense of independence and self-understanding. The singer is confident in who he is and what he can offer, and he's not willing to compromise that for anyone else. The repetition of the phrase "I don't owe you a thang" emphasizes this point and underscores the singer's refusal to meet his partner's expectations. The song's bluesy guitar and strong beat reinforces this sense of independence and reinforces the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Well
Introducing the singer's point of view.
I ain't got no money
The singer has no money.
No fancy car
The singer doesn't own a fancy car.
Ain't got no excuses baby
The artist has no excuses for their situation.
Hanging at the bar
The artist is at a bar.
I don't owe you a thang, baby
The singer doesn't have any obligation towards the person they are addressing.
I don't owe you a thang
Repeating the lack of obligation statement for emphasis.
Oh, we ain't gettin' married
The artist and the person they are addressing are not going to get married.
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
The artist will not buy the person they are addressing a diamond ring.
That's alright
The artist is okay with this arrangement.
Ain't got no credit
The singer has no credit.
No fancy clothes
The artist doesn't own fancy clothes.
But goodness knows
Despite the singer's lack of material possessions, they are still good inside.
This all you gettin' now, baby
The person addressed will have to accept the singer as they are.
This all you get
Emphasizing that the person addressed will not get anything more than what is being offered.
This all you gettin' now, baby
Repeating that the person addressed will not get anything more than what is being offered.
This all you get
Repeating that the person addressed will not get anything more than what is being offered.
This all you get now, mama
Addressing the person as 'mama'.
Just me and this guitar, baby
The singer only has themselves and their guitar to offer.
Well, ain't got no apologies
The artist has nothing to apologize for.
Won't be no fairy tale
The artist is not trying to create a fairy tale relationship.
I'm doin' my deal
The artist is living their life the way they choose.
I don't owe you a thang, baby
Reiterating that the singer has no obligation towards the person addressed.
I ain't got no money
Repeating that the artist has no money.
Ain't got no car
Repeating that the singer doesn't have a car.
I'm drinking at the bar
The singer is drinking at a bar.
I don't owe you a thang, mama
Addressing the person as 'mama', and reiterating that the singer has no obligation towards them.
'Cause we ain't gettin' married
Reiterating that the artist and the person addressed are not getting married.
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
Reiterating that the artist will not buy the person addressed a diamond ring.
That's alright
Reiterating that the singer is okay with this arrangement.
'Cause we ain't gettin' married
Repeating that the singer and the person addressed are not getting married.
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
Repeating that the artist will not buy the person addressed a diamond ring.
That's alright
Repeating that the artist is okay with this arrangement.
Well, we ain't gettin' married, nah
Repeating that the artist and the person addressed are not getting married, with added emphasis.
I ain't buying you no diamond ring
Repeating that the singer will not buy the person addressed a diamond ring.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gary Clark Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dakota Strawn
Blues isnt just a genre, it's a feeling from deep within.
Handsome Rob
Amen
TakenHaohmaru
True that!!!
Heather Garland
That is For Sure!😊
Rolanda Wilson
PREACH!!!
r x
yep and at the beginning it was the feeling, anger, joy etc of the African American people, and it is still
Ajack937 123
No auto tune, no lip syncing, just pure talent
Endless Photography & Videography
Re birth of blues rock!! This guy is just a huge mix of all the classic artists. Love his music. New album is amazing
Dave Compton
Can’t get enough of this song. Tone, beat, lyrics all perfect!
Todd Allen Hooper
This is a great example of some of the more "modern" Mississippi, juke joint blues. There are some great guys out there doing this stuff, it's super cool!!!