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 By the end of 1974, he had withdrawn from the music scene.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.
Phonograph Blues
Peter Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it won't say a lonesome word
Beatrice got a phonograph
And it won't say a lonesome word
What evil have I done?
What evil has the poor girl heard?
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
But you have broke my windin' chain
And you taken my lovin'
And you gave it to your other man
And we played it on the sofa
And we played it side the wall
And we played it on the sofa
And we played it side the wall
But boys, my needles have got rusty
And it will not play at all
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
Mmm, babe, and I'm bound to lose my mind
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
And I'm 'bout to lose my mind
Why don't you bring your clothes back home, baby
And try me one more time
Now my phonograph
Mmm, babe, it won't say a lonesome word
My little phonograph
And it won't say a lonesome word
What evil I have done?
What evil have the poor girl heard?
Now Beatrice
Won't you bring your clothes back home
Now Beatrice
Won't you bring your clothes back home
I wanna wind your little phonograph
Just to hear your little motor moan
The lyrics of "Phonograph Blues" by Peter Green and Robert Johnson tell the story of a man named Beatrice who has a new phonograph that does not play any sad songs, despite the fact that the singer has been feeling down. The lyrics suggest that the man blames Beatrice for breaking his heart and giving his love to another man. He compares his broken heart to the broken winding chain of his beloved phonograph.
The man reminisces about the times he and Beatrice used to listen to the phonograph together, but now the needles have gotten rusty and it will not play at all. He pleads with her to come back to him and bring her clothes back home, assuring her that he wants to listen to her "little motor moan" once again.
The song can be interpreted in various ways, including as a warning against putting too much sentimental value on material possessions, as well as on the dangers of jealousy and obsession. It can also be seen as a commentary on the role of music in our emotional lives, and how it can amplify our feelings and exacerbate our pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Beatrice got a phonograph
Beatrice acquired a musical machine that plays back sound recordings
And it won't say a lonesome word
The phonograph is not capable of expressing feelings of loneliness or sorrow through its music
Beatrice got a phonograph
Beatrice got a phonograph
And it won't say a lonesome word
It can't express sadness or melancholy
What evil have I done?
What wrong action have I committed to deserve this outcome?
What evil has the poor girl heard?
What wrong has the girl experienced to cause her to behave in such a manner?
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
Beatrice, I'm fond of my phonograph
But you broke my windin' chain
You damaged the mechanism that powers it
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
Beatrice, I love my musical machine
But you have broke my windin' chain
But you broke the mechanism that powered the machine
And you taken my lovin'
You stole my affection
And you gave it to your other man
And you gave it to another man
And we played it on the sofa
We listened to music while sitting on the couch
And we played it side the wall
We also played it alongside the wall
And we played it on the sofa
And we enjoyed our music on the couch as well
And we played it side the wall
And sometimes, we played it parallel to the wall
But boys, my needles have got rusty
Unfortunately, the needles that played the music have become rusty and ineffective
And it will not play at all
As such, my phonograph is no longer functional
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
Beatrice, I have a great fondness for my phonograph
Mmm, babe, and I'm bound to lose my mind
I'm at risk of losing my composure
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
I cherish my musical machine, Beatrice
And I'm 'bout to lose my mind
And the situation is pushing me to the brink of my sanity
Why don't you bring your clothes back home, baby
Would you please return to me?
And try me one more time
And let us give our relationship one last chance?
Now my phonograph
The phonograph I own now
Mmm, babe, it won't say a lonesome word
It cannot express how lonely or depressed it is through its music
My little phonograph
The small musical device I own
And it won't say a lonesome word
It cannot express feelings of sadness in its music
What evil I have done?
What sin have I committed?
What evil have the poor girl heard?
What evil has the girl heard that affects her behavior?
Now Beatrice
Now, Beatrice
Won't you bring your clothes back home
Would you please bring your clothing and belongings back to my place?
I wanna wind your little phonograph
I wish to power up my music machine again
Just to hear your little motor moan
Just to hear the sound it makes when it starts running once more.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ROBERT LEROY JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind