John Mayall is often referred to as the "Father of the British blues." His well-known band is still called John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. They started out in the late 1950s in England, using Chicago style blues as a starting basis for their sound, which has evolved from album to album. And while at one point John Mayall was playing a fairly jazzy sound, he has always come back to the blues.
One of the interesting features of the Bluesbreakers is that members have changed on a very regular basis, and many have gone on to well deserved fame and fortune with other bands and as solo acts. Past members include: Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce, (also of Cream), Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor, (who went on to a five -year stint with the Stones.) The studio album recorded with Clapton, entitled John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, was recorded in 1966, and is widely considered to be one of the great classic blues albums on either side of the stormy Atlantic. Cream came round right after.
John Mayall stands out for several reasons - his standing up for the blues, while experimenting with different approaches, his ability to attract the best of musicians; and perhaps most notably his willingness to work with musicians who far outshine him in sheer ability. And he himself sounds very good!
From:Wikipedia
Deep Blue Sea
John Mayall Lyrics
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We're on a holiday out in a foreign land
Sunny day
We can play
Lazing by the deep blue sea
Happy now that we are free
This is how it ought to be
We are on our own
Go underwater and see another world of green
Fishes go by and I get to wondering where they've been
Sunny day
We can play
Lazing by the deep blue sea
Happy now that we are free
This is how it ought to be
We are on our own
Take out a boat and paddle it around the bay
Pressures from the world seem to fade away
Sunny day
We can play
Sailing on the deep blue sea
Happy now that we are free
This is how it ought to be
We are on our own
The song "Deep Blue Sea" by John Mayall is all about the freedom and peace that a beach holiday can bring. The opening verse paints a beautiful picture of the singer and his lover lying on the sand in a foreign land, enjoying the warm sunshine and the salty sea air. The euphoric feeling of being on holiday, away from the stresses of everyday life, is palpable in these lyrics. The chorus beautifully captures this sentiment - the joy of being free to do exactly as you please, to laze around in the sun, with nothing to worry about except enjoying the moment.
The second verse takes us underwater, exploring the beautiful world of fishes and greenery beneath the surface of the sea. The singer again marvels at the freedom of these creatures, wondering where they've been - and almost envying them their lack of responsibility. This verse is a perfect illustration of the freedom that a carefree holiday affords. The final verse sees the singer taking to the water in a boat, and again experiencing the freedom and release from pressure that comes with being out on the open sea. Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the simple joys of escaping from everyday life and enjoying the natural beauty around us.
Line by Line Meaning
My loving woman and me lying in the sand
The singer and his partner are relaxing on the beach.
We're on a holiday out in a foreign land
The couple is on vacation away from home.
Sunny day
The weather is nice and bright.
We can play
The couple has free time to enjoy themselves.
Lazing by the deep blue sea
The couple is relaxed and enjoying the view of the ocean.
Happy now that we are free
Both are happy to be on vacation and not dealing with their usual obligations.
This is how it ought to be
The singer believes that the current situation is perfect.
We are on our own
The couple is isolated from their normal lives and distractions.
Go underwater and see another world of green
The artist is describing the beauty of the underwater world.
Fishes go by and I get to wondering where they've been
The artist is reflecting on the mystery of the ocean and the creatures within it.
Take out a boat and paddle it around the bay
The couple is engaging in a relaxing activity on the water.
Pressures from the world seem to fade away
By being away, the couple feels less burdened by the stresses of their everyday lives.
Sailing on the deep blue sea
The couple is enjoying the freedom and serenity of the open water.
Happy now that we are free
Once again, the singer expresses joy in escaping their usual responsibilities.
This is how it ought to be
The singer again affirms their belief that this is the ideal way to be living in the moment.
We are on our own
The couple is still isolated, free to enjoy their vacation without distraction.
Contributed by Tristan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.