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 By the end of 1974, he had withdrawn from the music scene.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.
Merry-go-round
Peter Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, when I first met you babe, I didn't even know your name
I was feeling so low on the ground
Bad luck and evil women was to blame
I never realized just how sweet and kind one woman can be
Yes, I never realized, people, just how sweet and kind one woman can be
Yes, but when I looked in your eyes
Yeah
Take my hand, baby, now, you hold it tight and don't let go
Take my hand, now, hold it tight and don't let go
Yes, 'cause our love is like a merry go round
And 'round forever it's gonna go
These lyrics describe the singer's initial encounter with his lover, and how he was previously feeling low and bitter about his past experiences with women. He didn't expect much from their meeting, as he didn't even know her name. However, upon getting to know her, he realizes how kind and loving she is, and how he has finally found true love. He urges her to hold on tight to their love and not let go, likening it to a merry-go-round that will keep going round forever.
The song seems to be about the transformative power of love and how it can change a person's outlook on life. At the beginning of the song, the singer is feeling down and out because of previous relationships with "evil women." But meeting the woman in the song changes everything and makes him realize how sweet and kind someone can be. The merry-go-round metaphor is interesting because it's something that goes around and around in circles endlessly, suggesting the possibility of an everlasting love that can never be broken.
Overall, "Merry-Go-Round" is a heartfelt and soulful blues song that showcases Peter Green's talents as a songwriter and guitarist.
Line by Line Meaning
When I first met you baby, I didn't even know your name
At the outset of our relationship, your identity was unknown to me
Yes, when I first met you babe, I didn't even know your name
Indeed, when I encountered you for the first time, I didn’t have any clue about who you were
I was feeling so low on the ground
During that period, I was emotionally down and disheartened
Bad luck and evil women was to blame
My constant misfortune, coupled with the wrong women I chose to associate with, were the sole reasons for my distress
I never realized, people, just how sweet and kind one woman can be
It wasn’t until now that I truly recognized how loving and affectionate a woman can be
Yes, but when I looked in your eyes
However, that realization dawned on me once I stared into your eyes
Yeah, I knew true love had come to me
That moment when I realized what true love was - I knew it had arrived
Take my hand, baby, now, you hold it tight and don't let go
Grab my hand right now, baby, and don't let go; hold on tight
Yes, 'cause our love is like a merry-go-round
Our love is much like a merry-go-round, which goes on and on in circles
And 'round forever it's gonna go
It’s going to endure an eternity in this manner
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NIKKI SIXX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@briannabush8354
When I first met you baby, I didn't even know your name
Yes, when I first met you babe, I didn't even know your name
I was feeling so low on the ground
Bad luck and evil women was to blame
I never realized just how sweet and kind one woman can be
Yes, I never realized, people, just how sweet and kind one woman can be
Yes, but when I looked in your eyes
Yeah, I knew true love had come to me
Yeah
[break]
Take my hand, baby, now, you hold it tight and don't let go
Take my hand, now, hold it tight and don't let go
Yes, 'cause our love is like a merry go round
And 'round forever it's gonna go
@marklevesconte4336
RIP Peter, your music will last forever
@Hiiiiii00000
The feel of sound and the economy of space between notes are just so telling....the flow of a great blues player...that unique sound...Tones and vibrato are like fingerprints...Peter Green had that great touch,,and the abilty to let a note flow..or cut it off to great effect...the solo is a masterclass...he was just timeless in those days.
@slimhekal6916
Tone, delivery,soul,emotion.
@gaylehyde1677
Mate you are sooo spot on. No explanation required when your talkin' bout a genius.I've been captiviated by this blok for 50 years.... no fucking bullshit...
@gaylehyde1677
Forget Jesus - here is something real...........
@evelynjohnson4670
exactly
@howlindonster6131
I hear what you are saying .. Between the 2 Vaughan Brothers Stevie has been deified but I always preferred Jimmy's Classic blues riffs , he got more out less and he had so much sustain.. My friends call me crazy but Jimmy and Anson Funderburg play plenty it is just that less is more for them..
@bertspivey3214
Play this for most rock fans and tell them it's Fleetwood Mac they will call you a liar. This era of the band is their best. Simple pure blues.
@daviemcf
I saw them three times in the '60's....best British blues band ever!!!
@zarke49
How can you not like this song????? Must be two envious people who just cant appreciate a masterpiece! This is Peter Green at his best, just wonderful! I miss the blues band Fleetwood Mac!