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.
Sinner's Prayer
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord have mercy lord have mercy on me
Well if I've done somebody wrong
Lord have mercy if you please
I used to have plenty of money
The finest clothes in town
Bad luck and trouble overtook me
Please have mercy lord have mercy on me
And if I've done somebody wrong
Lord have mercy if you please
Keep on working my child
Oh in the morning oh
Lord have mercy
If I've been a bad girl baby
Yeah I'll change my ways
Don't want bad luck and trouble
On me all my days
Please have mercy lord have mercy on me
And if I've done somebody wrong
Lord have mercy if you please
Have mercy on me
The song Sinner's Prayer by Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa is a bluesy gospel-inspired track that captures the vulnerable essence of asking for forgiveness. The opening verse repeats "Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me" twice, emphasizing a plea for salvation from a greater power. The singer of the song acknowledges that they may have done someone wrong and that they desire forgiveness. The second verse delves into the singer's past, where they had plenty of money and the finest clothes in town. However, bad luck and trouble overtook them, causing the singer to feel regret and remorse.
The refrain of the song emphasizes the importance of asking for forgiveness from the Lord. The bridge offers encouragement to "keep on working," suggesting that even if one has made mistakes, they can redeem themselves and strive for a better future. The concluding verse reflects on the idea that even if someone has made mistakes in the past, they can change their ways and avoid a life of bad luck and trouble. The final plea for "Lord have mercy" highlights the underlying themes of the song- redemption, hope, and forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord have mercy lord have mercy on me
Please have mercy, dear Lord, please have mercy on me during my struggle
Lord have mercy lord have mercy on me
Please have mercy, dear Lord, please have mercy on me during my struggle
Well if I've done somebody wrong
If I have wronged somebody in any way
Lord have mercy if you please
Please show mercy and forgive me for my mistakes
I used to have plenty of money
I was once wealthy and had all the luxuries of life
The finest clothes in town
I owned the best clothes in the town
Bad luck and trouble overtook me
Unfortunately, I was struck by bad luck and troubles despite my prosperity
And god look at me now
And now, look at me, I am in a terrible situation
Please have mercy lord have mercy on me
Please have mercy, dear Lord, please have mercy on me during my struggle
And if I've done somebody wrong
And if I have wronged somebody in any way
Lord have mercy if you please
Please show mercy and forgive me for my mistakes
Keep on working my child
Keep working towards your goals, my child
Oh in the morning oh
Every morning, when you wake up
Lord have mercy
Please have mercy, dear Lord
If I've been a bad girl baby
If I have been misbehaving or causing harm to others
Yeah I'll change my ways
Yes, I will change my habits and behavior
Don't want bad luck and trouble
I don't want to be struck by bad luck and troubles anymore
On me all my days
Throughout my life
Please have mercy lord have mercy on me
Please have mercy, dear Lord, please have mercy on me during my struggle
And if I've done somebody wrong
And if I have wronged somebody in any way
Lord have mercy if you please
Please show mercy and forgive me for my mistakes
Have mercy on me
Please have mercy on me and forgive me for my sins
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD C. GLENN, LLOYD C., SR. GLENN, LOWELL FULSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-js6el7vn2r
"Sinner's Prayer"
(with Joe Bonamassa)
(originally by Ray Charles)
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me
Well, if I've done somebody wrong
Lord, have mercy if you please
I used to have plenty of money
The finest clothes in town
Bad luck and trouble overtook me
And God, look at me now
Please have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me
And if I've done somebody wrong
Lord, have mercy if you please
Keep on working, my child
Oh, in the morning, oh
Lord, have mercy
If I've been a bad girl, baby
Yeah, I'll change my ways
Don't want bad luck and trouble
On me all my days
Please have mercy, Lord, have mercy on me
And if I've done somebody wrong
Lord, have mercy if you please
Have mercy on me
@M._Lou
There's nobody better than these two!!!
Love Joe and Beth! ❤️.¸¸.☆
@dianacrow7509
Buddy & Koko? Mmm...? Delivers sensuality Lawdy, lawdy; I miss hearing Music 🎶. Someone keeps playing with my Bluetooth from somewhere else, unplugged of late... Killin' me! Everybody needs bles & mood juice long about now. Thanks y'all be safe, stay well all!
@hemulik.8117
I got to watch this whole concert today M... dang.. again some perfection with great visitors.. and.. at these Beth parts.. I admit I cried a bit... so amazing this and especially the song I'll Take Care of You before this one.. I am enjoying 😊
@M._Lou
I’m positively addicted to “Beth & Joe - I'd Rather Go Blind - Live in Amsterdam”.
Their artistry is above & beyond, both individually and together!
Joe's solo there is unmatched!❤️.¸¸.☆
@danceblues1713
I think you would like "Light My Fire" from the same show w/ Beth and Joe B. I too love his commitment to be excellence.
@elenaskrypnikova3472
Same here, and my personal fav of this duo is "I'll take care of You". Love this song. Big hugs M. LOU!!!!!! 🤝🌷💗💕🍀🥀🌼💖
@bobbiejeanbarnett675
...baddest blues & close to my fire are two of my favorites🌹..
@danceblues1713
Yes!! I so happily agree.
@addicted2tone349
I love watching Beth sing, she's pure electricity. The music just flows thru her like current..
@candyjosimpson1077
My daughter Beth & I saw Beth in Chicago up close & personal she mythical, raw, real & beautuful she touches my soul like no other...