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.
Cradle Rock
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
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If I was a pony, would you let me trot?
If I was an atom, swimmin' in the trees,
If I go out my cell phone's dead would you put you dogs on me?
If I was a baby, would you let me fall?
If I was an outlaw, would you have me caught?
If I was a tiger, would you have me caged?
You'll miss out if you're, getting high, no thank you.
Pray it doesn't happen, this time I'll make you see it.
You and I gotta say, this is about me and you, yeah.
If I was a nightlight, would you let me see?
If I was anchor, it'd be news to me.
I was a maybe, giving you next call,
If I tell you the truth now baby,
Listen when I talk!
Then I saw
a blade, in your hand,
Was it just me or did I never stand a chance?
You said "I'm sorry" and "I love you"
But what good is that, baby, when you're holding onto the truth?
The lyrics of this song express the singer's desire for a reciprocal relationship that is built on trust and respect. The use of various analogies such as cradle, pony, atom, and nightlight conveys the singer's yearning for care and protection. He wants to know if his partner would let him be himself and not try to change him. The line "If I was somebody else, would you act your age?" is an interesting twist on the question of whether the partner would accept him for who he is.
The song also contains a cautionary message urging against substance abuse. The line "You'll miss out if you're getting high, no thank you" appears to be directed at the partner who may be engaging in drug use. The singer tells the partner that they will miss out on the love and affection that he is offering.
Some other notable themes in the lyrics are honesty and forgiveness. The singer wants his partner to listen to him when he tells her the truth, and he is willing to forgive her for any mistakes that she makes.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was a cradle, would you let me rock?
If I needed your support and care, would you provide it?
If I was a pony, would you let me trot?
If I wanted to explore and be free, would you allow me?
If I was an atom, swimmin' in the trees,
If I was a small and insignificant part of nature, would you acknowledge my existence?
If I go out my cell phone's dead would you put your dogs on me?
If I was in trouble and unable to contact you, would you come to my aid, or would you assume the worst?
If I was a baby, would you let me fall?
If I made mistakes and stumbled, would you let me learn from them or would you protect me from ever falling?
If I was an outlaw, would you have me caught?
If I acted against the law or your wishes, would you try to control me, or would you let me face the consequences?
If I was a tiger, would you have me caged?
If I was strong and powerful, would you try to limit or contain me?
If I was somebody else, would you act your age?
If I was different from what you expected or wanted, would you respect my individuality, or would you hold it against me?
You'll miss out if you're, getting high, no thank you.
If you focus on temporary pleasures or distractions, you'll miss out on what really matters in life.
Pray it doesn't happen, this time I'll make you see it.
I hope you won't experience loss or regret, but if you do, I won't be able to save you from it.
You and I gotta say, this is about me and you, yeah.
We need to acknowledge that our relationship is important and affects both of us, and that we need to communicate openly and honestly.
If I was a nightlight, would you let me see?
If I provided you with guidance or comfort, would you accept it and appreciate it?
If I was anchor, it'd be news to me.
If I was seen as a source of stability or support, I might not even realize it myself.
I was a maybe, giving you next call,
I was unsure or hesitant about reaching out to you, but I wanted to continue our connection.
If I tell you the truth now baby, listen when I talk!
If I am honest and open with you, please pay attention and hear me out.
Lyrics Β© BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RORY GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Puspita Mpuss
If I was a cradle, then you'd let me rock
If I was a pony, then you'd let me trot
If I was the atom, then you'd split me into three
When I wanna see you baby, don't you lock your door on me
If I was a baby, you wouldn't let me fall
If I was an outlaw, you wouldn't have me caught
If I was a tiger, you wouldn't have me caged
If I was somebody else then you would act your age
You'll miss out if you, leave me out of, of your
Day and night, I been trying to make you see that
Hear what I got to say
It's all about me and you
If I was a blind man, then you'd make me see
If I was a deaf man, you'd give me ears to hear
If I was a lame man, you'd give me your legs to walk
But if you were true to me baby, then listen to when I talk
If I was a cradle, then you'd let me rock
If I was a pony, then you'd let me trot
If I was the atom, split me into three
When I wanna see you baby, don't you lock on me
Would you, would you, let me rock, let me rock? Yeah
Glenn Cleveland
Nice Joe, didn't know you were a fan of Rory Gallagher, haven't heard anyone else cover him before. RIP Rory, you will not be forgotten.
Jukka Rautiainen
You all check Davey Knowles
MrCowlick
joe covered it on his debut album too
mano a mano
+Glenn Cleveland
He's a big fan. There's a tape on YouTube somewhere where he's playing Rory's classic Strat.
usermac1300
Thanks a million. Terrific tune by the late, great Rory, and what a great arrangement by Joe. Rare indeed.
Rosie Bray
This is a great Tribute to Rory Gallagher, he left us too soon. Thanks for the memories!
Brandon Hupp
His guitar work in this song just show's how good Joe can be great music!
TheEnchantressHippie
Thank you JoBo πΉ
You and your music always make my days and nights better! Love this. . Roy was amazing π Thank you for giving us his Music . y'all sound great!! πΆ
Calvin King
Even though Joe isnβt a favorite of mine, you have to love the way he always pays respect the the greats that came before him like Rory and Gary Moore.
719bobang
Right on ,Joe.....Always consistent, and never a disappointment..Keep it coming brother........