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.
Slow Train
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's movin' on down the line
Steel wheels on iron rails
Tonight I'm fixin' to die
Woo, I hope you don't mind pretty mama
Woo-hoo, hope you don't mind if I go
'Cause when the steam from the slow train rises
There's a slow train coming
Coming right on time
Smokestacks and bottle lightning
This jumper on the line
Woo, I can't do without it anymore pretty mama
Yes, I can't do it without it anymore
'Cause when the steam from the slow train rises
I ain't gonna see you anymore
There's a slow train coming
To march us home from war
With my leather boots and my haversack
Sure can take it no more
Woo, I cried for her baby when I saw you there
Woo-hoo, I cried for her just the same
'Cause when the steam from the slow train rises
I'm gonna cry for you just the same
Well there's a slow train coming
Carrying the mighty worker hordes
Eighteen days in the cotton field
Enough to put a man out of ?
Woo, It's time to move on pretty mama
Woo-hoo, Yes it's time to move on as I go
As the steam from my slow train rises
It's time for me to get on board
The lyrics of Joe Bonamassa's Slow Train convey multiple meanings depending on the perspective of the listener. The slow train is a metaphorical representation of the train of life, and the journey everyone undergoes. However, in this song, the slow train depicts death and its inevitability. In the first verse, the singer mentions that he is going to die, and the slow train is an image of the end of his life's journey. The repetitive use of "Woo-hoo" portrays the singer's fear and anxiety about his inevitable demise.
In the second verse, the slow train signifies addiction. The reference to smokestacks and bottle lightning indicates smoking and drinking. The third verse addresses the harsh realities of war and its devastating effects. The line "With my leather boots and my haversack/Sure can take it no more" means that while the singer is prepared for the soldier's life, he is tired of the violence and suffering he has witnessed.
Overall, the song Slow Train captures the sense of finality and the need to move on from different stages in one's life. Whether it be addiction, death, or war, the train's slow progression reminds listeners that we need to live our lives to the fullest before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a slow train coming
The singer is aware that a situation which will cause a great change is approaching
It's movin' on down the line
The situation is not yet at its full impact, but it is getting closer
Steel wheels on iron rails
The sound of the train's approach is vividly imprinted in the singer's mind
Tonight I'm fixin' to die
The artist knows that the coming change will end his current life
Woo, I hope you don't mind pretty mama
The artist is expressing his desire for the listener's acceptance of his decision
Woo-hoo, hope you don't mind if I go
The singer is explicitly stating his intention to leave
'Cause when the steam from the slow train rises
The change that is coming is symbolized by the rising steam from the train engine
I ain't gonna see you anymore
The artist believes that his departure will be a permanent one
Coming right on time
The artist perceives that the change is happening at just the right moment
Smokestacks and bottle lightning
The train's ominous and powerful appearance adds to the sense of impending change
This jumper on the line
The singer is ready to take his chances with the coming change
Woo, I can't do without it anymore pretty mama
The artist has resigned himself to the change and is asking for the listener's understanding
Yes, I can't do it without it anymore
The singer has reached a point where he feels he must take drastic action
To march us home from war
The train in this context represents a journey from a difficult situation to a place of safety
With my leather boots and my haversack
The singer is prepared for the coming journey
Sure can take it no more
The artist has reached a breaking point and the change is necessary for survival
Woo, I cried for her baby when I saw you there
The artist is expressing his sorrow for leaving behind someone when he takes this journey
Woo-hoo, I cried for her just the same
The singer is acknowledging his emotional attachment to the person he is leaving behind
I'm gonna cry for you just the same
The singer believes that his sorrow for leaving will be just as strong as his love for the person left behind
Carrying the mighty worker hordes
The train symbolizes the migration of workers
Eighteen days in the cotton field
The artist has had to work hard to survive
Enough to put a man out of ?
The hard work is more than the artist can bear
It's time to move on pretty mama
The singer is ready to start a new chapter in his life
Yes it's time to move on as I go
The time has come for the artist to leave
As the steam from my slow train rises
The singer sees the steam as a metaphor for the inevitable change that is upon him
It's time for me to get on board
The singer is taking action to move forward with his journey
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: JOE BONAMASSA, KEVIN SHIRLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Markus Stewart
As far as I know… these guys had only JUST met each other like 3,4 days prior to recording this.
This concert is the greatest showcasing of guitar playing that has ever been. IN MY OPINION!!
To be able to play those tasty licks, so flawlessly on varying different Acoustics… I’ve never seen anything like it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, and please show me who is better.
Until then… fucking BRAVO 🙏
Mary foust
This is the first song that I heard of Joe Bonamassa and I have been hooked ever since on his music. By the way I am an 84 year old woman.
Tery Wetherlow
Ha jb has many gran fans as i call myself
Memes daily
Me to the same😄
Chad Koon
Me too ,except I'm 48
He has many different version of the way he does this song .this one is the only one that rings my bell✌️😎
Sleeve Ho
@Chad Koon listening to this album will really get you let down when you hear the studio versions haha. They're good, but this is amazing
DustDevl340
I can't listen to this just once. Usually it gets repeated at least 4 times. Cranked to 11. Simply incredible. One of the best performances I've seen anywhere. Only discovered Joe 8 months ago and he's become one of my favourite artists.
Don Gubelman
can play absolutely any style to perfection.
detroit1701
My stereo goes to 12, LOL
Wm Thompson
It does seem to be quite infectious. If it's not the cure, it's pretty dang close to it.
graham kelly
Absolutely flawless tempo, groove and mastery of all instruments. It's the hard to believe how good it is