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.
I Gave Up Everything For You
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Threw that show glass just to watch it break
My whiskey bottle turned upside down in the drain
Those wild women that's a whole another thing
I gave up everything, baby
I gave up everything for you
I got nothing left to lose
Went on a diet, yeah I'm eating good
Gave up the things you said I should
Fit as a fiddle girl I lost ten pounds
So why am I so damn down?
Gave up everything, now
I give up everything for you
I got nothing left to lose
I gave up everything for you, 'cept the blues
Put out the reefer, no more getting stoned
Trade in my fast car for a motor home
Took all my demons, put 'em in a sack
How come I still fell there's a monkey on my back
I gave up everything, baby
I gave up everything for you
I got nothing left to lose
I gave up everything for you, 'cept the blues
I had the good life in the days I was king
Ain't nothing left now but the same old blues I sing
Gave up everything, baby
I gave up everything for you
I got nothing left to lose
I gave up everything for you, 'cept the blues
The song I Gave Up Everything For You by Joe Bonamassa is a love song that speaks about the sacrifices one makes for their loved ones. The lyrics describe the things that the singer has given up for his beloved, including smoking, drinking, junk food, and his fast car. Despite giving up everything, the singer still feels like something is missing, and the only thing he has left is his blues.
The opening lines of the song talk about the things the singer has given up, symbolizing his willingness to change his habits for the one he loves. He has quit smoking, thrown away shot glasses, and given up drinking, which shows that he is trying to be a better person for his beloved. However, there is a hint of dissatisfaction with his words "wild women, that's a whole another thing" indicating that his old lifestyle had an appeal that he misses.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the extent of the singer's love by saying that he gave up everything for his loved one except his blues. Although he has made all these changes in his life, the singer still feels incomplete and sings about how he used to have a great life but is now reduced to singing the same old blues.
Overall, the lyrics of the song portray the internal conflict the singer feels about the sacrifices he makes for his loved one. The song conveys the message that sometimes making sacrifices for love can leave a person feeling unfulfilled and blue.
Line by Line Meaning
Put down that two pack habit yesterday
I quit smoking yesterday
Threw that show glass just to watch it break
I smashed a glass for fun
My whiskey bottle turned upside down in the drain
I poured my bottle of whiskey down the drain
Those wild women that's a whole another thing
I gave up hanging out with wild women
I gave up everything, baby
I sacrificed everything, my habits and pleasures
I got nothing left to lose
I have nothing else to give up
I gave up everything for you, 'cept the blues
Except for my sadness, I gave up everything for you
Went on a diet, yeah I'm eating good
I improved my eating habits and lost weight
Gave up the things you said I should
I stopped doing what you told me not to do
Fit as a fiddle girl I lost ten pounds
I am healthy and fit after losing weight
So why am I so damn down?
Why am I still feeling depressed?
Put out the reefer, no more getting stoned
I quit smoking marijuana
Trade in my fast car for a motor home
I exchanged my sports car for a mobile home
Took all my demons, put 'em in a sack
I gathered all my problems and put them away
How come I still fell there's a monkey on my back
Why do I still feel burdened by something?
I had the good life in the days I was king
I enjoyed life when I was in control
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFFREY STEELE, JERRY FLOWERS, JOE BONAMASSA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gianni Hatzianmevris
The best blues artist today, hands ✋️ down!!!!
Agile Benton
This song has been played in my house over 5000 times. It never gets old. Joe, you are my favorite musician on the planet. Just amazing. PS..when you did this "LIVE" at the Chicago Theater on 4/16/2014, I had goose bumps. My wife and I were rockin the aisle. Old people love this stuff too. LOL
Valentena Upton
Agile Benton This is beyond exceptional. Love love love
Paul Turnbow
My ex-wife's last words as she left "And the neighbors hate you, too, because you play that F'in song so loud ALL THE TIME" :)
Linda Lukasik
Yes, old people love this, too. I'm 78!
sunking2001
A true journeyman. I don't think there's a more rounded total guitarist/musician on Earth. Have you seen his acoustic guitar work? He's the whole package...journeyman!
b.j. stoner
Joe is definitely one of the blues guitar gods! 😎💙
Tiffani Blume Olson
Thank God you didnt give up the blues!!! I think I am supposed to be serenaded by a talent like Joe, except Live, and daily!! I could never get sick of it.
Cliff Strausbaugh
Yes I agree... I listen to Joe everyday cause it's good for the soul!!
Alina S
Love this song,love this music..Love you Joe!!!