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.
You Better Watch Yourself
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better watch yourself
You better watch yourself
I've got my eyes on you
Well you steal my heart, and you go away
Don't tell me you'll see me another day
You better watch yourself
You better watch yourself
I've got my eyes on you
Well I give you all my love
All my things too
Fine Cadillac baby watcha gonna do?
You better watch yourself
You better watch yourself
You better watch yourself
I've got my eyes on you
Well people are talkin',
All over town
You say you're gonna love me but you put me down
You better watch yourself
You better watch yourself
You better watch yourself
I've got my eyes on you
The song "You Better Watch Yourself" by Joe Bonamassa is a classic blues tune that focuses on the theme of mistrust and betrayal. The lyrics suggest a sense of caution and the need for the other person to be careful with their actions. The repetitive phrase, "You better watch yourself", serves as a warning and implies that the singer is keeping a close eye on the other person.
The first verse highlights the pain caused by the other person, who has stolen the singer's heart and left without any promise of returning. The second verse emphasizes the singer's devotion to the other person and how much they have given to the relationship. The third verse shows the singer's awareness of the rumors that the other person is not faithful, and how they are unlikely to trust them fully.
The song paints a picture of a relationship that is on the edge, where one party is not fully committed, and the other is struggling with the pain and uncertainty of the situation. The singer is fully aware of the other person's faults, but they are still drawn to them, making it difficult to leave the relationship. The message of the song is clear: the other person needs to be careful with their actions as the singer is watching them closely.
Line by Line Meaning
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
I've got my eyes on you
I am monitoring your behavior closely
Well you steal my heart, and you go away
You take my love and leave me without explanation
Don't tell me you'll see me another day
Don't make false promises to me
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
I've got my eyes on you
I am monitoring your behavior closely
Well I give you all my love
I've devoted all my love and attention to you
All my things too
I've given all my material possessions
Fine Cadillac baby watcha gonna do?
What are you going to do with my gifts of love and wealth?
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
I've got my eyes on you
I am monitoring your behavior closely
Well people are talkin',
There is gossip going around
All over town
Everyone is hearing the rumors
You say you're gonna love me but you put me down
You make promises of love but then act in hurtful ways
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
You better watch yourself
Be careful of your actions, pay attention to what you're doing
I've got my eyes on you
I am monitoring your behavior closely
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WALTER JACOBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Laurence D
Cant wait for Joe's next album!
VRIL
Same! If I am not mistaken, Eric Gales joined him! Next album is going to blues up the world!
Steve McMahan
Holy crap Joe!!! This is flippin awesome!!!
Nizar Reghai
His vibrato is Legendary.
M. Lou
I always enjoy Joe's premieres!
Great fun !!!
Saul Portillo
Genial, Joe es el mejor en su estilo sin duda.
Sylvia De Groot
Thanks for sharing this Joe🌹🎶🎸
Fredy Sol
El mejor sonido de guitarra.♥️
safali baral
Desperately waiting for your next album and your song is always as awesome
Maxwell Crazycat
Another awesome performance. Thx Joe! :)