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.
Headaches To Heartbreaks
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
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They all coincide with my new attitude yeah.
And pretty baby to the blues I sing - it’s my only teacher.
Just headaches to a heartbreak.
Never meant to (need help here)
I feel like I’ve been used, never want to see you again.
I know that now.
I’m gonna have my say - this is time when I turn the page;
Headaches to heartbreaks.
I’m from the old school, like the old rules,
Don’t care anymore what you’re gonna do.
Just shake up the system, (need help here) listen to you.
A friend of mine, past his prime,
Struggled for a chance to make a dime.
Now for no reason he committed treason again.
But it’s bittersweet, interesting what the world brings;
I know that now.
I’m gonna have my say - this is time when I turn the page;
Headaches to heartbreaks.
The song Headaches To Heartbreaks by Joe Bonamassa talks about a person going through the ups and downs of life, dealing with both good and bad days. The lyrics suggest that the person's positive attitude helps them overcome the challenging times. They sing the blues as it is their only teacher in the difficult moments. However, the song is about a heartbreak that is deeply painful and challenging to overcome. The person expresses their devastation and how they never want to see their former partner again. Despite the sorrow, they recognize that life is bittersweet and full of surprises. They are determined to turn the page and start a new chapter, moving from headaches to heartbreaks.
The lyrics also talk about rejecting the old ways and rules, and shaking up the system. The singer suggests that they do not care anymore about what others think and that they will speak their mind as the time has come for them to turn the page. The song also touches on the story of a friend of the singer, someone who struggled to make a living but eventually betrayed their trust for no apparent reason. The song implies that the act of betrayal was not justifiable, and the person holding the grudge against their friend was justified in doing so.
Line by Line Meaning
I have my bad days, have my good days too.
I have moments of happiness and sadness, but my attitude determines which ones I experience more often
They all coincide with my new attitude yeah.
Since I adopted a new attitude, my good and bad days align with it
And pretty baby to the blues I sing - it’s my only teacher.
The blues is my lifeline, it's the only way I learn the lessons I need to learn
Just headaches to a heartbreak.
Mere headaches which escalate to heartbreak
Never meant to (need help here)
Never planned/purposed to reach this point
I feel like I’ve been used, never want to see you again.
I feel exploited and have no desire to encounter you again
But it’s bittersweet, and interesting what the world brings;
The situation is a mix of good and bad; and life constantly serves unexpected events
I know that now.
I am now aware of something I previously did not comprehend
I’m gonna have my say - this is time when I turn the page;
I will speak my mind and move on to a new phase of my life
Headaches to heartbreaks.
The gradual progression from minor discomfort to intense emotional pain
I’m from the old school, like the old rules,
I follow the traditional ways and believe in the values that were commonly accepted in the past
Don’t care anymore what you’re gonna do.
I am indifferent to whatever actions you may take
Just shake up the system, (need help here) listen to you.
Instigate a change in the existing system and pay heed to your opinions
A friend of mine, past his prime, Struggled for a chance to make a dime.
My friend who is no longer young, used to have difficulties in earning money
Now for no reason he committed treason again.
Without a logical explanation, he betrayed again
Contributed by Declan C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.