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 By the end of 1974, he had withdrawn from the music scene.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.
Leaving Town Blues
Peter Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now, when I leave this town
Won't be - back no more
Yes, when I leave this town, mama
Won't be back no more
I've got the blues so bad
Yes, I got the blues so bad
Why won't you let me be
I have the blues so bad, mama
Why won't you let me be
Now, when I go to chicago
Blues don't you follow me
Break:
I'm asking mama, mama
Please don't cry no tears
Yes, I say mama, mama
Please don't cry no tears
Because I'll always love you
Through all my days and years
The lyrics of Peter Green and Nick Pickett's song "Leaving Town Blues" reveal the singer's intention to bid farewell to his present location, vowing never to return. The song begins with a declaration of departure with the lines "Now when I leave this town, won't be back no more," which are repeated for emphasis. The singer has the blues so bad that it's brought him to the doorstep. He's begging for a little bit of solace and peace from the person he calls Mama. The singer points out that they'd be safe from the blues if they stayed in town but he's got to go. The chorus reasserts the singer's intention to leave town while acknowledging the heightened state of melancholy.
The singer cites his intention to go to Chicago because he hopes that the blues won't pursue him anymore when he leaves. The blue refers to emotional distress, and in this instance, it's a symbol of the singer's unhappy state of mind. He believes that leaving this town for a more prosperous future might alleviate his blues, and the move could be the motivation he needs to start over. Nonetheless, he appeals to Mama to hold back her tears because he has assured her that he'll always love her; his love for her is unwavering through all his days and years.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, when I leave this town
As I get ready to move on from this place
Won't be - back no more
It's unlikely that I'll ever return
Yes, when I leave this town, mama
Indeed, when I say goodbye to this place, mother
Won't be back no more
I won't be coming back
I've got the blues so bad
I'm feeling very sad and down
Standing 'round my door
Lingering near my dwelling
Yes, I got the blues so bad
There's no denying how terrible I feel
Why won't you let me be
Why can't I be left alone
I have the blues so bad, mama
The sadness I feel is overwhelming, mother
Why won't you let me be
Why can't I be allowed to suffer in peace
Now, when I go to chicago
When I travel to the city of Chicago
Blues don't you follow me
I don't want my sadness to come with me
I'm asking mama, mama
I'm beseeching you, mother
Please don't cry no tears
Don't shed any tears on my account
Yes, I say mama, mama
Certainly, I'm saying to you, mother
Please don't cry no tears
Don't weep or mourn for me
Because I'll always love you
I'll never stop caring for you
Through all my days and years
Throughout my entire life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEWIS A. POWELL, LEWIS A POWELL, PAULINE SHIVERS, TOM DOUGLAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
november191968
very beautiful song! some celtic sound,a delta blues theme,and a voice dancing between two worlds,the new and the old!
Alberto Pick
RIP Peter. You was the blues! You poured your heart out delivering pure blues!
Ben W.
Country blues sound; subtle yet very powerful. I like the fiddle on this track. It gives it that Charlie Patton feel. Thank you for the upload.
James Walton Ingham
This is amazing! Have listened to Peters music for 20 + years and never heard this before....stunned....
fieldfullofthistles
Awesome blues. He's the man no doubt.
mark horton
The first time I heard this song it was Rory Gallagher’s version which absolutely floored me. I love the original of course but you gotta check out Rory’s version.
Waltraud
Love Greeny and his Blues for ever 💚💚💚
Childan71
This sends shivers up my spine, literally. I've got goosebumps! Never heard this version before. eibhlin2 - I am going through all your vids - hope you don't mind! I feel like a blues stalker! lol
richard pitcher
Peter and the rest of Fleetwood Mac always amaze me in some way with every song
Dennis Devine
Love Peter Green doin the blues. The fiddle is a nice touch.