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.
Your Heart Is As Black As Night
Joe Bonamassa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the story I'm told
Is that your heart is as black as night
Your lips may be sweet
Such that I can't compete
But your heart is as black as night
[Repeat x2]
At such a perfect time
But if I let you hang around
I'm bound to lose my mind
'Cause your hands may be strong
But the feeling's all wrong
Your heart is as black a night
Your heart is as black
Oh, your heart is as black as night
Ah-ah ooo
In these lyrics, Joe Bonamassa describes a person whose true nature contradicts their outward appearance. The first two lines explain that the person's physical features, their eyes and lips, are seen as attractive and desirable. However, the story that's being told is that this person's heart is as black as night - indicating that they are not what they seem on the surface. The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of the message and makes it clear that the person's inner darkness is the main subject of the song.
The next set of lyrics express how Bonamassa is struggling to understand why this person appeared in his life at such a perfect time. He acknowledges that this person's physical presence is difficult to resist, but being around them could lead to his downfall. Despite their strong hands and the attraction that he feels, he knows that the feeling is wrong because of their dark heart. This reinforces the idea that someone can seem good on the surface, but their true nature has a significant impact on the people around them.
Overall, Your Heart Is As Black As Night is a powerful song about the difference between appearances and reality. It warns listeners to look beyond initial impressions and see people for who they truly are.
Line by Line Meaning
Your eyes may be whole
Though your eyes appear complete or unbroken
But the story I'm told
I've been told a tale or heard a rumor
Is that your heart is as black as night
Your emotional core is very dark and unsettling
Your lips may be sweet
Your mouth might taste pleasant or pleasing
Such that I can't compete
I can't match the alluring flavor of your lips
But your heart is as black as night
However, your innermost being is very bleak and disturbing
I don't know why you came along
I'm uncertain why you appeared or showed up
At such a perfect time
Coincidentally, your arrival was impeccably timed
But if I let you hang around
If I allow you to remain nearby or in my life
I'm bound to lose my mind
I'm likely to go insane or lose my composure
Cause your hands may be strong
Your hands could be physically powerful
But the feeling's all wrong
However, the sensation or emotion I'm experiencing is negative or incorrect
Your heart is as black a night
Again, your innermost self is very dark and unsettling
Your heart is as black
Once more, your emotional core is very bleak
Oh, your heart is as black as night
Your innermost being is extremely disturbing and unsettling
Ah-ah ooo
(Musical interlude)
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELODY GARDOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexaandra27
Your eyes may be whole
But the story I'm told
Is that your heart is as black as night
Your lips may be sweet
Such that I can't compete
But your heart is as black as night
[Repeat x2]
I don't know why you came along
At such a perfect time
But if I let you hang around
I'm bound to lose my mind
'Cause your hands may be strong
But the feeling's all wrong
Your heart is as black a night
Your heart is as black
Oh, your heart is as black as night
Ah-ah ooo
@NurtenOsmanova
Anyone from 2023?
@mariavarnava3064
Yep!!
@user-yx8ch1nl7n
Me 😊
@user-lj7li3eu9f
😊
@vsdnkn
Wow. I'm from 2024))
@Mar1amaria
@@vsdnknLegend ))
@mic982
Beth's voice is perfect for this genre. Heck, it's perfect for nearly anything.
@TheStonedstone
Except cRAP
@Automedon2
She has a thousand faces - every one more beautiful than the other, and my God , what a voice
@nietschethecat3207
That's her in the photo?!!!