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.
Sweet Rowena
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've fallen in love with you
Baby, won't you save me?
'Cause without you I just won't pull through
Sweet Rowena, won't you call my number?
Sweet Rowena, won't you call my name?
Throw me a line, I'm going under
SOS, I'm in distress
Drown in a pool of tears
Angel, tell me how you feel?
Spending your time up in here
Sweet Rowena, won't you dial my number?
Sweet Rowena, won't you call my name?
Throw me a line, I'm going under
And my heart is going up in flames
911 no need to come
Just cancel my emergency (oh my emergency baby)
The sweetest thing, Lord, I've ever seen
Is snuggled right here next to me
Sweet Rowena, she dialed my number
Sweet Rowena, she called my name
Pull back the covers, I'm going under (going under baby)
And my house is going up in flames (up in flames)
Sweet Rowena, she dialed my number (call my number baby)
Sweet Rowena, she called my name
Pull back the covers, I?m going under (going under now)
Lord the house is going up in flames (oh in flames yes)
Oh yes it is baby
The song "Sweet Rowena" by Joe Bonamassa tells the story of a man who has fallen deeply in love with a woman named Rowena. He describes himself as being in distress, having fallen into a "pool of tears" and feeling as though he is "going under." He pleads with Rowena to call his number and save him from drowning in his emotions. He sees her as the one who can rescue him and pull him out of the darkness that he is feeling. He even goes so far as to say that without her, he "just won't pull through."
The lyrics suggest that the singer is in a very vulnerable state and is leaning on Rowena heavily for emotional support. He describes her as the "sweetest thing" he's ever seen and the one who is "snuggled right here next to me." The song captures the intensity of early infatuation and the power that love can have over someone's emotions. Bonamassa's bluesy guitar work adds an extra layer of passion and longing to the already powerful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Mayday, man over board
I am in distress and need immediate help.
I've fallen in love with you
I have developed romantic feelings for you.
Baby, won't you save me?
I am desperate for your help and support.
'Cause without you I just won't pull through
I feel that I will not be able to overcome my difficulties without your help.
Sweet Rowena, won't you call my number?
I am asking Rowena to contact me via phone.
Sweet Rowena, won't you call my name?
I am asking Rowena to address me by name.
Throw me a line, I'm going under
I am grasping for any help to avoid a dire situation.
And my heart is going up in flames
My emotions are heightening and becoming stronger.
SOS, I'm in distress
I am in urgent need of assistance.
Drown in a pool of tears
I have been crying excessively.
Angel, tell me how you feel?
I am seeking reassurance from someone who is kind and supportive.
Spending your time up in here
You have been present and available for me to rely on.
911 no need to come
There is no emergency services required at this time.
Just cancel my emergency (oh my emergency baby)
There is no urgent need for assistance.
The sweetest thing, Lord, I've ever seen
You are the most attractive and desirable person I have ever encountered.
Is snuggled right here next to me
We are currently in a physical and intimate relationship.
Pull back the covers, I'm going under (going under baby)
I am giving into my emotions and allowing myself to become vulnerable.
And my house is going up in flames (up in flames)
The intensity of my emotions is causing changes in my surroundings.
Sweet Rowena, she dialed my number
Rowena contacted me via phone.
Call my number baby
I am urging Rowena to contact me via phone.
oh in flames yes
The intensity of my emotions is causing change in my surroundings.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Pete Wasner, Vincent Grant Gill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind