Bonamassa was born in Utica, New York. He started playing guitar at age four, encouraged by his father, who was an avid music fan and exposed him to British blues rock records by Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, greatly inspiring him. At 11 years old Joe was mentored and trained by American guitar legend, Danny Gatton. When he was 12 years old, he had his own band called Smokin' Joe Bonamassa, which gigged around western New York and Pennsylvania, including cities such as Scranton and Buffalo, but only on weekends since Joe had school on weekdays. Bonamassa played a crimson 1972 Fender Stratocaster he called "Rosie", which his father had bought in Utica, New York.
When he was 12 years old, Bonamassa opened for B.B. King. In the last 13 years Bonamassa has put out 15 solo albums through his independent record label J&R Adventures, of which 11 have reached number 1 on the Billboard Blues charts. Bonamassa has played alongside such artists as Stephen Stills, Eric Clapton, Blondie Chaplin, Foreigner, Buddy Guy, Steve Winwood, Warren Haynes, Solomon Hicks,and Derek Trucks among others.[4] His career highlights include performances at the Royal Albert Hall and has had three Grammy Award nominations in 2013, for his collaboration album with Beth Hart "Seesaw", in 2016 for the album "Live at the Greek Theatre" and 2022 for the album "Royal Tea". In addition to his music career, Joe Bonamassa runs a nonprofit organisation called the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, whose mission is to further music education by funding scholarships and providing music education resources to schools in need. in 2020, he added an extension to the foundation. Called Fuelling Musicians, it provides $1500 cheques to struggling musicians affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
in 2021, he broke his own record for having more #1 Billboard blues albums than anyone in history. The album "Time Clocks" clocked up his 25th #1 album.
He is also known for his enormous collection of vintage guitars and related gear.
Ball Peen Hammer
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
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Now I don't know about no law, I don't see no crime
Ain't no reason, ain't no rest
I wanna get down to the woman and get undressed
And I can't stand it, I can't stand it
I can't wait to see them walls falling down
Is it by the weight of the woman, the weight of the gun?
Got fifty minutes now and I just don't care
I'm gonna take this off already when I get there
And I can't stand it, I can't stand it
I can't wait to see them walls falling down
And I can't stand it, I can't stand it
I can't wait to see them walls falling down
No where tomorrow, a Sunday rhyme
You know all good things come in their due time
Put 'The Ball Peen Hammer', 'Right through' That Door'
And I don't pretend to understand no more
I can't stand it and I can't stand it
I can't wait to see them walls falling down
I can't stand it, I can't stand it
I can't wait to see them walls falling down
The lyrics of Joe Bonamassa's "Ball Peen Hammer" speak of a deep desire to break free from whatever constraints the singer feels he is under. He declares an eagerness to climb and explore, disregarding any rules or restrictions that may be in place. He seems to be filled with an overwhelming sense of anticipation and urgency, as he cannot wait to see "them walls falling down."
There is a suggestion that the liberation the singer seeks is inextricably linked to a woman. He hopes to get down to her, to experience some sort of physical release. However, there is a sense of confusion as well. The line "Tell me Jesus, why they run / Is it by the weight of the woman, the weight of the gun?" is hard to decipher. It seems to suggest that the woman is somehow connected to some sort of danger or threat.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ball Peen Hammer" express an intense desire for freedom, suggesting a sense of frustration with the singer's current situation. There are also hints that this freedom is specifically linked to a woman, with the suggestion that her presence is both alluring and potentially dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna go there, I wanna climb
I am eager to explore and conquer something new.
Now I don't know about no law, I don't see no crime
I am willing to break the rules to achieve my desires, and I do not see any moral wrong in doing so.
Ain't no reason, ain't no rest
I am driven by an unrelenting passion, and nothing can stop me.
I wanna get down to the woman and get undressed
I am consumed by my desire for physical pleasure and intimacy with a woman.
And I can't stand it, I can't stand it
My excitement and anticipation is overwhelming, I cannot contain my emotions.
I can't wait to see them walls falling down
I am looking forward to breaking down the barriers and obstacles that stand in my way.
So tell me Jesus, why they run
I am questioning the motives of those who resist or flee from my advances.
Is it by the weight of the woman, the weight of the gun?
I am wondering if the woman's physical attraction towards me or the threat of my power through a gun are the reasons for others' resistance.
Got fifty minutes now and I just don't care
I am not concerned with time or consequences, I am focused solely on my desires.
I'm gonna take this off already when I get there
I am eager to engage in sexual activity immediately upon arrival.
No where tomorrow, a Sunday rhyme
I am uncommitted to any future plans or responsibilities, living in the moment with no regard for the Sabbath tradition.
You know all good things come in their due time
I am confident that success and fulfillment will eventually come to me, but I am impatient and willing to take risks to achieve it sooner.
Put 'The Ball Peen Hammer', 'Right through' That Door'
I am determined to break through any obstacles in my way, using whatever means necessary to achieve my goals.
And I don't pretend to understand no more
I have abandoned any pretense of morality or societal norms, embracing a hedonistic lifestyle with no concern for others' opinions.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS WHITLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind