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.
Last Kiss
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
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Tell me how high , cotton has to grow
'Fore you get a man with a rusty blade and a hoe
Tell me who's that on , when I can get no ride
Tell me who's that on , when I can get no ride
That's why I get antsy , and steal a kiss before I die
I've been locked down , beat up , all in the name of goodbye's Mmmmmm
And I don't mind stealing the last kiss before I die
Tell me how long , supposed to keep a good man down
Tell me how long , supposed to keep a good man down
'Fore he packs his suitcase , and get's the hell outta town
Now that I'm gone , who's gonna work the land
Now that I'm gone , who's gonna work the land
Just to make sure this , Dirt don't turn into sand
I've been knocked down , stood up , all in the name of goodbye's
I've been locked down , beat up , all in the name of goodbye's Mmmmmm
And I don't mind stealing the last kiss before I die hey yeah
I've been knocked down , stood up , all in the name of goodbye's Mmmmmm
I've been locked down , beat up , all in the name of goodbye's
And I don't mind stealing the last kiss before I die
And I don't mind stealing the last kiss before I die
And I don't mind stealing the last kiss before I die
Mmmmmmm Mmmmm Mmmm
Mmm Mmm Mm Mmmmm Mmmm
The lyrics of Joe Bonamassa's song Last Kiss speak about a man who has been through a lot of ups and downs in his life, all in the name of goodbyes. He questions the height the cotton has to grow before he finds someone who is willing to work with the tools at hand. He also questions who to lean on when he is unable to find a ride, causing him to steal a quick kiss before he dies.
The singer then talks about his experiences of being knocked down, beaten up, and locked down, all because of goodbyes. He wonders how long he is supposed to keep being dragged down even though he is a good man. He then talks about what will happen when he is gone, who will work the land, and make sure that the dirt does not turn into sand.
The song talks about the hardships the singer has gone through in his life, but he is not one to shy away from the challenges but instead steal the last kiss before he dies. The message is that no matter how hard life gets, one should keep moving forward, keep fighting, and keep striving until they've achieved their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me how high , cotton has to grow
What is the level of success I must attain, before I encounter the struggle like a man with a rusty blade and a hoe
Tell me who's that on , when I can get no ride
Who can be there to support me when no other resource is available? This makes me nervous, hence I choose to steal a kiss before I die
I've been knocked down , stood up , all in the name of goodbye's
I have a history that contains both failures and triumphs, all consequent upon goodbyes
Tell me how long , supposed to keep a good man down
Is it ethical to keep a man with potential down? How long should he remain subjected, before he decides to leave?
Now that I'm gone , who's gonna work the land
After I'm gone, who is going to tend to the land and ensure that the dirt stays fertile?
And I don't mind stealing the last kiss before I die
In a world where everything is uncertain and my journey towards success is precarious, I don't see anything wrong with stealing a kiss before my death.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOE BONAMASSA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Nelson
not only a guitar virtuoso but an incredible showman as well. His shows are as much visual as musical. The faces he makes while releasing the blues are unbelievable.
Gérard AUZOU
There are no words that can describe exactly your feelings after hearing, again and again, such a performance.
So, it's "Joe at his fabulous best".
Reyna Martinez
Agree ❤
Jesus Heredero
I discovered this guy a few summers ago in a blues festival here in Spain, and since then I don't get tired of listening to him, he doesn't do music, he does magic!, simply exciting
carlos marciante
AS ALWAYS, GOOD JOB, WELL DONE
Nigel Obrey
What can i say ...everybody has already said it ....I'm glad we've had this amazing performer in our life time. jah bless joe ........
Chris James
Strange seeing the entire crowd sat motionless in absolute silence but I guess if you're there to hear the music in all its glory that's the way it should be. Respect for the band as well the people around you who have all spent good money to see one of the most naturally gifted blues rock artists ever.
Thomas Anderson
My feeling to. Wtf!??! I would be standing up smiling and clapping my hands.
Robert Friel
The English!😏
C Tap
One of the first songs I heard YOU sing!! Woke me up fast! (I was literally falling asleep on the couch-PBS special came on with this) Have been 'addicted' ever since! THANKU Joe for waking me up-YOU make my heart sing💜😎