Walker was born on 25th December 1949 in San Francisco, California; his parents were blues fans, and introduced him to the music when he was young. He learnt to play the guitar at the age of fourteen, and left home at sixteen to work as a performer. He soon met Mike Bloomfield, who introduced him to the Bay Area Blues scene. During the 1960s, Walker opened for such artists as Earl Hooker, Freddie King, and Lowell Fulson.
In 1975 he left the blues scene for ten years to sing with a gospel quartet called The Spiritual Corinthians. In 1980, he recorded an album with this group called God Will Provide. Walker left the Spiritual Corinthians in 1985, but has maintained a gospel influence in his music.
He returned to San Francisco in 1985, and formed a group called the Bosstalkers. He released four albums on the Hightone Records label before moving to Verve/Gitanes (a division of Polydor/Polygram). Walker released six albums with this label, and won a series of awards in the 1990s.
Walker has released several albums since leaving Verve, including four separate works between 2002 and 2003.
* Official site
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Joe Louis Walker Lyrics
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My woman need me with her but I got ten more shows to play
How long 'fore she'll ask me to choose
Between her lovin' and these ever-lovin' blues?
I've hit the road before, she never once complained
This time she was cryin' when I got on the plane
I'm hopin' and I'm prayin' she can wait and be true
How long 'fore she'll ask me to choose
Between her lovin' and these ever-lovin' blues
All right...
I'm sittin' here in misery; you know I'm on the spot
That woman and this guitar is all I've really got
How long 'fore she'll ask me to choose
Between her lovin' and these ever-lovin' blues?
Tonight I'm in Houston, then Dallas and L.A.
My woman need me with her but I got ten more shows to play
The lyrics of Joe Louis Walker's "Play" describe the dilemma of a musician torn between his love for music and his love for a woman. He's on tour, traveling from city to city, and while he knows his woman needs him with her, he still has ten more shows to play. He wonders how long it will be before she asks him to choose between her love and his passion for music.
The singer has hit the road before, but this time is different. His woman is crying as he gets on the plane, and he's hoping that she can wait and be true without getting discouraged. He's sitting in his hotel room in misery, realizing that this woman and his guitar are all he really has. He knows that eventually, she may ask him to choose between her love and his ever-loving blues.
The song is a poignant reflection of the life of a touring musician and the sacrifices that come with the job. The singer is torn between his love for music and his love for his woman, and he knows that at some point, he may have to make a choice.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight I'm in Houston, then Dallas and L.A.
I am on a tour that will take me to Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles.
My woman need me with her but I got ten more shows to play
My woman wants me to be with her, but I have ten more shows left to perform.
How long 'fore she'll ask me to choose
Between her lovin' and these ever-lovin' blues?
'How long will it take for her to ask me to give up my career for her love?' is a question that troubles me.
I've hit the road before, she never once complained
Although I have been on the road before for my music, my woman never showed any dissatisfaction with my choice.
This time she was cryin' when I got on the plane
However, this time when I left for the tour, she was crying.
I'm hopin' and I'm prayin' she can wait and be true
And not be discouraged without the things we used to do
'I hope and pray that she can be patient and loyal, and not feel depressed without the activities we used to do together.' This is my sincere wish.
All right...
Okay, Let's move on.
I'm sittin' here in misery; you know I'm on the spot
That woman and this guitar is all I've really got
I am feeling miserable and stuck in this situation where I have my woman and my guitar as my only two valuable possessions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LOWELL FULSON, DENNIS WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind