Green started off as a bass player in such bands as The Muskrats. Joining The Peter B's, led by Peter Bardens, later the frontman of Camel, (including drummer Mick Fleetwood) he switched to lead guitar and made his first recordings. He took over the lead guitar spot in John Mayall and the Blues Breakers in 1966 after the departure of Eric Clapton.
After recording on one Mayall album Peter left in 1967 to form Fleetwood Mac.
Green was the guiding force of Fleetwood Mac from 1967 to 1970 when he left for musical and personal reasons. Under Green's guidance, the Mac played a very gritty and authentic version of the electric blues popularized in bars on Chicago's south side. (They even did some fine recordings there--"Blues Jam in Chicago"--which saw release only after his tenure in the band had ended). A prolific song writer also, he penned such hits as Man of the World; Oh Well; Green Manalishi; Albatross and Black Magic Woman. Albatross reached number 1 in the UK charts, Black Magic Woman was also recorded by Santana on their Abraxas album.
From 1970 to 1974, Green played some sessions, and worked with several small bands, as well as releasing two solo singles and an album of extended jams, The End of the Game for Reprise. By the end of 1974, he had withdrawn from the music scene.
By 1979 Green was recording again for PVK records as a solo artist with the debut album In the Skies; 1980 Little Dreamer; 1981 Blue Guitar; 1981 Whatcha Gonna Do; 1981 White Sky; 1984 Kolors; 1987 Katmandu; 1988 Legend; 1992 One Woman Love;
Green again left the music world in 1984, and there followed a very difficult period in his life, which came to an end in the mid 90's, and coincided with renewed interest, partly generated by a biography written by Martin Celmins, and a tribute album recorded by Gary Moore.
Green formed a new group in 1995 with Nigel Watson called the Peter Green Splinter Group. Returning to form the group produced some of Peter’s best playing since leaving Fleetwood Mac. Albums include 1997 Splinter Group; 1998 Robert Johnson Songbook; 2002 Reaching For The Cold 100.
Green left The Splinter Group in 2003. Since then, he has played sporadically, appearing at a Lord's Taverner's benefit at The Royal Albert Hall, and doing some gigs with The British Blues All-Stars.
In February 2009, Green began playing and touring again, this time as Peter Green and Friends. In May 2009 he was the subject of the BBC Four documentary "Peter Green: Man of the World", produced by Henry Hadaway. Green and the band subsequently played a tour of Ireland, Germany and England. They went on to play several dates in Australia during March 2010, including the Byron Bay Bluesfest.
Baby When the Sun Goes Down
Peter Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shadows fall, children play
And baby when the sun goes down
They go away
But these pains here inside
Baby when the sun goes down
Without you
Baby when the sun goes down
Without you
Shades of blue, shades of green
And baby when the sun goes down
They can´t be seen
But these chains that bind my heart
Now baby when the sun goes down
These will remain
Without you
Baby when the sun goes down
Without you
Had your life in my hands
And baby when the sun goes down
Please understand
That it was love and jealous rage
Baby when the sun goes down
I´ll have to pay
One more day, just onemore dream
And baby when the sun goes down
Then they will see
On that hill and from that tree
Baby when the sun goes down
I shall be free
Without you
Baby when the sun goes down
Baby when the sun goes down
Without you
Baby when the sun goes down
Without you
Without you
Baby when the sun goes down
Baby when the ...
Baby when the ...
Peter Green’s song "Baby When the Sun Goes Down" is a poignant and emotional piece about the loss of a loved one. The song reveals how the pain inside cannot be hidden, even when the sun is down and the world is asleep. The shadows that fall and the children that play all disappear, but the pain inside lives on. The shades of blue and green cannot be seen at night, but the chains that bind the heart in sadness persist. The song talks about how the singer once had his love interest in his hands, but the jealousy consumed him, and he lost her. Even when the sun goes down, he has to pay for his actions. The song ends with a call for one more day, one more dream, and the hope that from the hill and the tree, the singer can be free.
The song is a masterpiece that highlights Green’s talent as a lyricist and singer. It has a striking resemblance to other blues songs such as "St. James Infirmary Blues" or "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out." The melancholic melody and the slow tempo of the song fit the lyrics, making it a heart-rending tune. The guitar work in the song is soulful, and it touches the deeper parts of the listener’s heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Shadows fall, children play
As the evening approaches, children enjoy their last moments of play before going back inside.
And baby when the sun goes down
As night falls and the sun disappears on the horizon.
They go away
The children retreat for the night.
But these pains here inside
Despite the joyful scene, the artist is experiencing internal pain.
Baby when the sun goes down
When night falls.
I cannot hide
The singer cannot conceal their feelings.
Without you
Without the person they long for.
Shades of blue, shades of green
The surroundings are a mix of blue and green colors, perhaps indicating the natural environment.
And baby when the sun goes down
As darkness falls.
They can´t be seen
But they become less visible.
But these chains that bind my heart
The singer feels emotionally trapped.
Now baby when the sun goes down
As night falls and the artist's emotions intensify.
These will remain
The singer's emotional burden will persist.
Had your life in my hands
The singer was in control of the other person's well-being.
And baby when the sun goes down
As night falls and the singer's thoughts turn to the past.
Please understand
The artist asks for empathy from their former partner.
That it was love and jealous rage
Their behavior was driven by both love and envy.
Baby when the sun goes down
As night falls and the darkness covers everything.
I´ll have to pay
The consequences of their actions will haunt them.
One more day, just one more dream
The artist longs for more time and more opportunities.
And baby when the sun goes down
As night falls and the artist's thoughts turn to what could have been.
Then they will see
The artist feels as though they will finally be understood in the future.
On that hill and from that tree
Perhaps a reference to a specific place where the singer will find peace.
Baby when the sun goes down
As night falls and the artist's mind drifts towards the future.
I shall be free
The singer hopes to one day be emotionally liberated.
Without you
Without the presence of the other person in their life.
Baby when the sun goes down
As night falls and the singer's emotions heighten.
Baby when the sun goes down
As night falls and the darkness engulfs everything.
Without you
Without the person the artist desires.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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