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.
Dust Bowl
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna head downtown
Walk around, settle down,
Find me a proper drink
Don't need a helmet
To get me through life
I walk across the water
Blame it on foolish pride
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Diamonds and pearls
You're that kind of girl
You size me up, to break me down
While you're sipping on your crown royal
I'll give you shelter
Babe, it's your call
It's hard to find truth within
When you're living in your own zone
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Pride and deception
The same kind of pain
And all that's left for me to lose
Is meant for you to gain
Playing it close
Stealing your time
But who cares anyway?
I've gone the extra mile
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Living in a Dust Bowl
The lyrics to Joe Bonamassa's "Dust Bowl" paint a picture of someone who is fed up with their current situation and is ready to make a change. The first verse sets the scene for the song, as the singer declares that they are going to make their own way and head downtown. They are looking for a "proper drink" and seem to be in search of something to lift their spirits. The singer also seems to be confident in their ability to navigate their way through life without the aid of a helmet, but does acknowledge that their "foolish pride" may be to blame for some of their struggles.
In the chorus, the singer describes feeling torn between being lifted up and torn down by those around them. They feel like they are constantly being given "indecision" and are stuck in a "classic run-around." Despite this, they feel like they are being kept whole and are living in a "Dust Bowl."
The second verse seems to be directed towards someone specific, a woman who is described as being the type to "size me up, to break me down" while sipping on her crown royal. Despite this, the singer offers to give her shelter, but acknowledges that it's hard to find the truth when you're stuck in your own zone.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dust Bowl" seem to be about feeling trapped and seeking a way out of a difficult situation. The singer recognizes their own role in their struggles, but is also frustrated with the way they are constantly being held back by forces beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make my own way
I am going to pave my own path.
I'm gonna head downtown
I am going to the urban area.
Walk around, settle down,
Wander and get comfortable.
Find me a proper drink
Get an appropriate beverage.
Don't need a helmet
I don't need any assistance.
To get me through life
To survive the journey.
I walk across the water
I am aptly skilled to handle difficult situations.
Blame it on foolish pride
The rationale behind my stubbornness.
Diamonds and pearls
You are high maintenance.
You're that kind of girl
Your behavior is predictable.
You size me up, to break me down
You assess my worth to diminish me.
While you're sipping on your crown royal
Drinking your expensive whiskey.
I'll give you shelter
I'll provide refuge if needed.
Babe, it's your call
You are responsible to make the decision.
It's hard to find truth within
It's challenging to identify reality.
When you're living in your own zone
When you're self-absorbed.
Pride and deception
My vanity and dishonesty.
The same kind of pain
We are experiencing the same trauma.
And all that's left for me to lose
I have nothing else to lose.
Is meant for you to gain
Your gain is my loss.
Playing it close
Holding back.
Stealing your time
Wasting your time.
But who cares anyway?
Why does it matter?
I've gone the extra mile
I have made additional effort.
Living in a Dust Bowl
Living through hardships.
Lifting me up
Raising my problem-solving capacity.
Tearing me down
Harming my confidence.
All you give me is indecision
You are causing uncertainty.
the classic run-around
The typical manipulation.
Bringing me higher
Increasing my potential.
Keeping me whole
Preserving my well-being.
Now I feel like I'm living
I feel like I am surviving.
Living in a Dust Bowl
Enduring a life of difficulty.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOE BONAMASSA, KEVIN SHIRLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
liva winkel
I'm gonna make my own way
I'm gonna head downtown
Walk around, settle down,
Find me a proper drink
Don't need a helmet
To get me through life
I walk across the water
Blame it on foolish pride
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Diamonds and pearls
You're that kind of girl
You size me up, to break me down
While you're sipping on your crown royal
I'll give you shelter
Babe, it's your call
It's hard to find truth within
When you're living in your own zone
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Pride and deception
The same kind of pain
And all that's left for me to lose
Is meant for you to gain
Playing it close
Stealing your time
But who cares anyway?
I've gone the extra mile
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Living in a Dust Bowl
Lee Fury
Blues is about being used and abused. Promises she gave but never meant to keep. I've been there. It hurts. You feel like you're "live'n in a dust bowl". i.e. all dried up on the inside.
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Giving me hope
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Chad Smith
That is one of the more beautifully executed solos I've ever heard. The build up to it. Just awesome.
Timothy White
Damn right,.... He is a "Master"!
Tery Wetherlow
Replaying Joe's songs I never get enough.
steelersgirl071961
This song is GREAT, GREAT TUNE< lyrics, everything!!!! Never disapoints, never boring, Joe is the man, he delivers nothing but GREAT MUSIC, very talented. I love Joe Bonamassa!!!!
Sumrah Jan
kick ass composition
mijul
I once went to Joe Bonamassa's concert and i was able to grab one of the picks he threw at the end of the show! That pick has inspired me to play the guitar, and until today i always keep it right next to my Electric Guitar :D!
Timothy White
Damn you were lucky , I am from the Dust bowl
ILikkaHoWell
What an awesome kick-ass song! Reminds me of a 1960's western movie where 'Clint Eastwood' would ride horseback into town and leave nothing but death and destruction in his wake.. I honestly feel that Joe gets better every time he picks up a guitar!
liva winkel
I'm gonna make my own way
I'm gonna head downtown
Walk around, settle down,
Find me a proper drink
Don't need a helmet
To get me through life
I walk across the water
Blame it on foolish pride
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Diamonds and pearls
You're that kind of girl
You size me up, to break me down
While you're sipping on your crown royal
I'll give you shelter
Babe, it's your call
It's hard to find truth within
When you're living in your own zone
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Pride and deception
The same kind of pain
And all that's left for me to lose
Is meant for you to gain
Playing it close
Stealing your time
But who cares anyway?
I've gone the extra mile
Lifting me up
Tearing me down
All you give me is indecision
the classic run-around
Bringing me higher
Keeping me whole
Now I feel like I'm living
Living in a Dust Bowl
Living in a Dust Bowl
Gary Storm
This is the truth I’m living at this moment.