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.
Sloe Gin
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin' to wash away the pain inside
Well, I'm sick and I'm all done in
And I'm standin' in the rain
And I feel like I'm gonna cry
I'm so damn lonely
And I ain't even high
And I feel like I wanna die
Mayday, Mayday
I've been shot down over stormy sea
Well, I feel like I'm driftin' away
Can't seem to get a grip on me
Now I can't even try
I'm so damn lonely
And ain't even high
I hate to go home alone
But what else is new
I'm so damn lonely
I hate to go home alone
But what else is new
I'm so damn lonely
You stand there bleedin'
People pass me by
No matter if you live
No matter if you die
Sloe gin, sloe gin
Tryin' to wash away the pain inside
Well, I'm sick and I'm all done in
I'm standin' in the rain
And I feel like I'm gonna die
I'm so damn lonely
And ain't even high
I'm so damn lonely
Sloe gin, honey
Baby, come and get the best of me
The lyrics to Joe Bonamassa's song Sloe Gin are a poignant portrayal of loneliness, pain, and despair. The singer is using sloe gin as a way to try and numb the emotional and physical pain he is feeling. The repetition of the phrase "I'm so damn lonely" throughout the song emphasizes the isolation the singer is experiencing, despite being surrounded by others. He longs for someone to come and help ease his pain, shown in the final line of the song "Sloe gin, honey, baby, come and get the best of me".
There are also references to being lost at sea and being unable to find a way back to safety. These lines can be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling lost and not being able to find a way out of a difficult situation. The idea of being shot down and bleeding also adds to the sense of hopelessness and helplessness.
Overall, the lyrics to Sloe Gin are a deeply emotional portrayal of loneliness and pain, with the singer using the sloe gin as a temporary fix for his problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Sloe gin, sloe gin
The singer is taking sloe gin, which is a distilled alcohol flavored with sloe berries.
Tryin' to wash away the pain inside
The singer is drinking sloe gin in an attempt to numb their emotional pain.
Well, I'm sick and I'm all done in
The singer is physically and emotionally drained, and possibly ill.
And I'm standin' in the rain
The artist is outside in bad weather, possibly symbolizing their depressed or desolate mindset.
And I feel like I'm gonna cry
The artist is overwhelmed with emotion and feels like they might break down and cry.
I'm so damn lonely
The singer is expressing their intense feelings of loneliness and isolation.
And I ain't even high
The singer is not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol that could explain their emotions.
Mayday, Mayday
This is a distress signal, suggesting that the artist is in a dire situation and needs help.
I've been shot down over stormy sea
This is a metaphor for the artist feeling overwhelmed and defeated by their struggles and emotions.
Well, I feel like I'm driftin' away
The artist feels disconnected from reality and is losing their grip on their emotions.
Can't seem to get a grip on me
The singer feels powerless and unable to control their emotions or situation.
Now I can't even try
The artist has given up and feels hopeless about their plight.
I hate to go home alone
The singer does not want to face their loneliness by themselves.
But what else is new
The singer is resigned to the reality of their situation and the fact that they are always alone.
You stand there bleedin'
This line may be an allusion to the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, where a man is left beaten and bleeding on the road while others pass him by.
People pass me by
The artist feels invisible and ignored by the people around them.
No matter if you live
This line may be suggesting that life goes on regardless of one's individual struggles or suffering.
No matter if you die
This line may be suggesting that death is an inevitable and impartial force that will come for everyone, regardless of their struggles or suffering.
Sloe gin, honey
The singer is addressing someone they are romantically interested in, possibly inviting them to join them in their drinking.
Baby, come and get the best of me
The artist is inviting their romantic interest to come closer and experience the best parts of themselves.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL KAMEN, BOB EZRIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leonlefox5174
im a metalhead. This is not my usual type of music. But my dad used to love this song and we always listened to it together. He died on leucemia 2 years ago. I really miss him and sometimes i listen to this song to remember him. Thank you, Joe.
@dustydonmillwright9869
Brother you don’t mourn alone. My mom passed December 2019 and I continue to grieve. Perhaps listening to “The Blues” doesn’t help. Joe is an awesome talent. His music is therapy for me. Most time when I listen I cry, but I’m not sad. In fact I’m grateful for my life’s experiences and those that have influenced me. Joe B is good medicine.
@cooldaddy232
Your welcome
@BjornHellZ69
Hey Leonfox. Lost both my parents as well. Not that it matters. I am glad you have found some other music in your your journey. I am a metal-head as well , but found the blues in the 90`s when grunge came around. It`s healthy to explore other genres. I truly hope that your loss is weakining when years pass by. A good old fashioned hug comes your way from Norway. Stay positive brother :)
@christribble8986
Sorry bro.. I'm a metal head too. But I love joe. My first concert was testament Megadeath and judas priest. 1990
@WaylonAxe
🍺
@tfajsh
Joe’s has did such a great job refining his vocals over the years. He’s now one of the best singers out there. With his guitar skill he’s a living legend.
@caseyhughes37
My dad loved your music. He just recently passed away 9-24-22. And we're gonna play this song at his memorial. I just want my daddy back.
@GEDDY553
My soul is at peace rt now
@b4ttlec0w30
So sorry for your loss