Forsyth brought his skills as a stellar live performer to help found and make infamous nationwide the theatrical acoustic group The Asylum Street Spankers. He gave Wammo his first washboard and Christina Marrs her first guitar and ukelele. His time with the Spankers touring and recording 5 albums added to a wealth of earlier unique experiences in his life – working as a stuntman in renaissance shows, busking on the streets of New Orleans and playing on a mountain top in Nepal – which provided him musical fodder to be refined in the songs of Forsyth’s numerous solo albums. The release of his latest, Calico Girl, which features new songs as well as re-recordings of some of Guy’s most popular songs from 1999's Can You Live Without, marks the fourth album for the record label he started in 2002, Small and Nimble Records.
Guy is known today as a musician with gripping, powerful vocals as well as a master of numerous instruments. He started his musical development first with singing, and began playing harmonica at 16. Shortly thereafter he heard a very distinct and overwhelming sound on Kansas City radio that changed his life; it was Robert Johnson. After that, he borrowed a guitar, fell in love and learned to tune it with his feet from a friend who had lost both his arms in an accident. In college, he lasted a single semester at the University of Kansas, and then he found the music he had been seeking – gritty, organic folk and blues, “from a practical hands-on, gears, joints and joists level.” And he struck out to learn it.
Since then, he’s been awarded an Austin Music Award for Best Male Vocalist in 2005, as well as numerous other AMA’s over the years in categories such as Blues and Best Miscellaneous Instrument Player (singing saw), among others. Last year’s 2-disc live record, Unrepentant Schizophrenic Americana, was received very well by critics and fans alike.
In the past year, Forsyth has stepped up his touring significantly to reach fans in the Southwest, Southeast, East Coast, and Midwest United States, as well as continuing to play in Europe several times each year. Guy has been featured in a number of large festivals recently, including the Austin City Limits Music Fest in 2005 and 2007 (Austin), High Sierra Music Festival (Northern California), Los Alamos Festival (New Mexico), BBQ & Blues Festival (New York), Tonder Festival (Denmark), and Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Festival (Belgium). He will continue broadening his tour base throughout 2008, taking his live show to new cities and festivals. His confirmed appearances upcoming this year include Chicago’s American Music Festival, the Ottowa Blues Fest, Kerrville Folk Festival and Rochester’s Bricktown Festival. Forsyth has opened for and shared the stage with musicians such as BB King, Ray Charles, Lucinda Williams, Jimmy Vaughn, Dr. John, Robert Cray, among many others.
Can You Live Without
Guy Forsyth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What we take with us, what we leave.
And how much of your answers can be believed,
Nothing's gonna save you if you're deceived.
Can you live without water for five days?
Can you live without shopping when you get paid?
Can you live without having someone to blame?
Did you ever doubt you'd have your house on the hill?
Can you live without all the folks who never will?
Can you live without your dope, whatever it may be?
Kind bud, Budweiser, it works the same for me...
Can you liver withou her?
Can you live without...
Can you live without her breath on your neck?
Can you live without the laughter and the sex?
Did you ever doubt you'd have her picture on the wall?
Can you live without anybody there at all?
Can you live without the callous on your knees?
Can you live without the scar that no one sees?
Can you live without living by degrees?
Can you live without doing exactly as you please?
(Gm - F - Eb - Bb)
The song "Can You Live Without" by Guy Forsyth is a reflection on how we determine what is essential in our lives. In times of trouble, we decide what we need and what we can leave behind. The lyrics explore the different things that we may think we cannot live without but are actually not necessary for survival.
The first verse introduces the idea that sometimes we cannot trust our own answers because we may be deceived. The chorus then poses a series of probing questions, such as can you live without water, shopping, someone to blame, and the loser of your game. The questions become increasingly personal and intimate as the song progresses, focusing on love, addiction, and our deepest desires.
The second verse explores the idea that living without something we thought we needed may be the only way to truly live. Forsyth sings about giving up material possessions, dreams that may never come to fruition, and even people we hold dear. The song concludes with a final series of questions, challenging the listener to live without any crutches or excuses, to find joy in the humblest of things, and to take control of their own lives.
Overall, the song urges us to examine what we truly need to survive and to live a fulfilling life. It suggests that often the things we think we need are not essential and may even hinder us from discovering true happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
In times of trouble, we decide what we need.
During difficult times, we evaluate what is necessary for us to have.
What we take with us, what we leave.
We determine what is essential and what can be discarded.
And how much of your answers can be believed,
We question whether the information we receive is trustworthy.
Nothing's gonna save you if you're deceived.
If we are misled, no one can rescue us from the consequences.
Can you live without water for five days?
We consider whether we could survive without essential resources.
Can you live without shopping when you get paid?
We reflect on our dependence on consumerism for happiness.
Can you live without having someone to blame?
We contemplate if we can accept responsibility for our actions instead of blaming others.
Can you live without the loser of your game?
We evaluate whether we can handle failure and move on from defeat.
Did you ever doubt you'd have your house on the hill?
We question whether the material possessions we have were always within our reach.
Can you live without all the folks who never will?
We reflect on whether we need validation from others to be happy.
Can you live without your dope, whatever it may be?
We evaluate whether we can live without addictive substances or behaviors.
Kind bud, Budweiser, it works the same for me...
The specific substance does not matter if it is addictive.
Can you live without her?
We address whether we can survive without a significant other.
Can you live without... Can you live without her breath on your neck?
We reflect on whether we can handle the absence of physical intimacy.
Can you live without the laughter and the sex?
We evaluate whether we can endure the loss of emotional and physical intimacy.
Did you ever doubt you'd have her picture on the wall?
We think about whether we counted on certain relationships lasting forever.
Can you live without anybody there at all?
We evaluate whether we can cope with the feeling of loneliness and belonging.
Can you live without the callous on your knees?
We reflect on whether we can accept discomfort and the resulting growth.
Can you live without the scar that no one sees?
We question whether we can handle the emotional pain we keep hidden.
Can you live without living by degrees?
We consider whether we can live with less structure and rigidity.
Can you live without doing exactly as you please?
We evaluate whether we can tolerate restrictions and limitations on our autonomy.
Writer(s): Guy Forsyth
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.