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 By the end of 1974, he had withdrawn from the music scene.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.
Dead Shrimp Blues
Peter Green Lyrics
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I woke up this mornin', ooh, and all my shrimp was dead and gone
I was thinkin' about you, baby, why you hear me weep and moan
I got dead shrimps here, someone is fishin' in my pond
I got dead shrimps here, ooh, someone fishin' in my pond
I've served my best bait, baby, and I can't do that no harm
Hole where I used to fish, you got me posted out
Everything I do, you got your mouth stuck out,
At the hole where I used to fish, baby, you've got me posted out
I got dead shrimps here, 'n' someone fishin' in my pond
I got dead shrimps here, someone fishin' in my pond
Catchin' my goggle-eye perches, and they barbequin' the bone
Now you taken my shrimps, baby, you know you turned me down
I couldn't do nothin', until I got myself unwound
You taken my shrimps, oohh, know you turned me down
Babe, I couldn't do nothin', until I got myself unwound
The lyrics to Peter Green Splinter Group's song Dead Shrimp Blues convey a feeling of loss and dismay as the singer wakes up to realize that all their shrimps have died. As the story goes, someone has been fishing in the singer's pond and taking their catch, causing them to lose their livelihood. The singer seems to be speaking directly to a love interest, blaming them for their misfortunes and feeling rejected because of it.
The singer goes on to talk about all the things they've done to try and salvage the situation, but in the end, it seems to be too little too late. They feel trapped and helpless, unable to do anything until they can "get unwound" from the situation. The repetition of "someone fishin' in my pond" adds to the feeling of being trapped, as the singer can't seem to escape the situation.
Overall, the lyrics to Dead Shrimp Blues are about loss and feeling trapped, with the singer feeling powerless to stop the person who is taking their livelihood from them. The song is a reflection of the harsh realities of life, where some people need to fight just to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up this mornin' and all my shrimps was dead and gone
I discovered this morning that all my shrimps have died or have been taken from me.
I was thinkin' about you, baby, why you hear me weep and moan
As I lamented about the dead shrimps, I was reminded of you and felt sad.
I got dead shrimps here, someone is fishin' in my pond
I have a collection of dead shrimps, and I suspect that someone has been fishing in my pond.
I've served my best bait, baby, and I can't do that no harm
I have used the best bait I have on the shrimps, and I don't think I could have done any better.
Everything I do, babe, you got your mouth stuck out
Every move I make, you seem to disapprove or be unhappy about.
At the hole where I used to fish, baby, you've got me posted out
You have taken control of the fishing spot where I used to go and have effectively kicked me out.
Catchin' my goggle-eye perches, and they barbequin' the bone
The person fishing in my pond is catching the fish I used to catch and is even barbecuing the leftovers.
Now you taken my shrimps, baby, you know you turned me down
You took my shrimps, and that's like rejecting me or saying no to me.
Babe, I couldn't do nothin', until I got myself unwound
I couldn't take any action or do anything about the situation until I calmed down or relaxed.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind