Jimmie Lawrence Vaughan (born in March 20, 1951 in Dallas, Texas) is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Jimmie Lawrence Vaughan (born in March 20, 1951 in Dallas, Texas) is an American blues guitarist and singer. He is the older brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Jimmie Vaughan's style was influenced by Freddie King who gave him personal advice. Also two other blues guitarists, Albert King and B. B. King, were important influences. Johnny "Guitar" Watson was another important early influence (Jimmie says that he and his younger brother Stevie studied Johnny "Guitar" Watson more than any other single guitarist).

Jimmie Vaughan developed his own personal style that is easily recognized. He formed the band The Fabulous Thunderbirds with singer and harpist Kim Wilson, bassist Keith Fergusson, and drummer Mike Buck. (The initial Fabulous Thunderbirds members were all proteges of Austin, Texas blues club owner, Clifford Antone.) The band's first four albums, released between 1979 and 1983, are ranked among the most important 'white blues' recordings. Sadly, since those early albums did not sell well, the band was left out without a recording contract for a couple of years (during the times when Jimmie's younger brother achieved popular success).

The Fabulous Thunderbirds got a new contract in 1986 and made several albums that featured more commercial pop-music sound and production styles. Jimmie left the band in 1989 and made a "duo album" called Family Style with his younger brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Before the album was released, Stevie died in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin on August 27, 1990. The album was released a few days after the tragic accident (the listed artist on the album was "Vaughan Brothers"). The album was light blues-influenced rock with Jimmie singing on several tracks.

Vaughan released his first solo album Strange Pleasure in 1994. The album contained a song "Six Strings Down" that was dedicated to the memory of his brother. He has continued his solo career since then. Vaughan's solo albums contain mostly blues-rock material that he writes himself.

In 2001, Vaughan paid an installment on his (and the Fabulous Thunderbirds') huge debt to harmonica swamp blues when he contributed guitar to the Lazy Lester album Blues Stop Knockin'.

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Wheel Of Fortune
Jimmie Vaughan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The wheel of fortune
Goes spinning around
Will the arrow point my way
Will this be my day

Oh, wheel of fortune
Please don't pass me by
Let me know the magic

Of a kiss and a sigh

While the wheel is spinning
Spinning, spinning, spinning
I'll not dream of winning
Winning fortune or fame

While the wheel is turning
Turning, turning, turning
I'll be ever yearning, yearning
For love's precious flame

Oh, wheel of fortune
I'm hoping somehow

If you ever smile on me
Please let it be now

Overall Meaning

The song "Wheel of Fortune" by Jimmie Vaughan is about the eponymous game of chance. The lyrics suggest that the singer is hoping for good luck as he watches the wheel spin, wondering if it will land on his number. He pleads with the wheel not to pass him by, hoping for the chance to experience the "magic of a kiss and a sigh." Despite the thrill of the game, the singer acknowledges that he is not focused on winning fortune or fame, but rather on the elusive flame of love.

The lyrics evoke a sense of anticipation and longing, reflecting the uncertainty that comes with playing games of chance. As the wheel keeps spinning, the singer's focus shifts from the possibility of winning money or accolades to the hope of finding love. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for life itself - no matter how much success or wealth we accumulate, what we ultimately crave is human connection.

Overall, "Wheel of Fortune" is a soulful and introspective song that speaks to the universal themes of luck, love, and longing. Its simple yet powerful lyrics are accompanied by Vaughan's virtuosic guitar work, creating a timeless blues-rock classic.

Line by Line Meaning

The wheel of fortune
Life's unpredictable circumstances

Goes spinning around
Continuously changing

Will the arrow point my way
Will I be lucky/successful?

Will this be my day
Will it happen today?

Oh, wheel of fortune
A plea to life/fate

Please don't pass me by
Please let me get an opportunity

Let me know the magic
Let me experience something special

Of a kiss and a sigh
Of love and intimacy

While the wheel is spinning
While life goes on

Spinning, spinning, spinning
Constantly in motion

I'll not dream of winning
I won't get my hopes up