He was born in Woodlake, California and raised in Ukiah. He taught himself guitar when he was 13 and considered his first influence to be Mike Bloomfield. At 18 he moved to San Francisco to form the Charles Ford Blues Band (named after his father, who was also a guitarist) featuring his brothers Mark (mouth harp) and Patrick (drums).
Robben was soon hired to play with Charles Musselwhite for nine months. Robben Ford played with Jimmy Witherspoon (1972-1973), the L.A. Express with Tom Scott (1974), George Harrison and Joni Mitchell. In 1977 he was a founding member of the Yellowjackets, which he stayed with until 1983, simultaneously having a solo career and working as a session guitarist.
In 1986, Ford toured with Miles Davis and he had two separate periods (1985 and 1987) with Sadao Watanabe, but he seemed to really find himself in 1992 when he returned to his roots: the blues. Ford formed a new group, the Blue Line, and subsequently recorded a couple of blues-rock dates for Stretch that are among the finest of his career. In 1999, he released Sunrise on Rhino and Supernatural on Blue Thumb. Ford signed to the Concord Jazz label in 2002 and released Blue Moon that same year, followed by Keep on Running in 2003 and Truth in 2007. Robben Ford whilst continuing to record solo albums has been touring in 2007 with guitar legend Larry Carlton.
Ghosts
Robben Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1st vs:
Can you hear me calling
Calling as I'm going down
Can't you see me falling
You only got to turn around
I'm here with you today
But I might as well be miles away
It's hard to understand
Chorus:
clone no matter where I am
I'm only the ghost of a man
2nd vs:
Ever seen the bottom
It looks a long way to the top
You get these blues and you got'em
It feels like they'll never stop
Water won't you clean my soul
Wash me down and make me whole
Lift me up this very day
cnd carry me away
In "Ghosts of a Man" by Robben Ford, the lyrics depict a sense of isolation and detachment from others. The singer feels as though they are reaching out for help and connection but are met with indifference. The opening lines, "Can you hear me calling, Calling as I'm going down," express a desperate plea for attention and acknowledgement. The singer wants someone to notice their struggle and offer support. However, the following line, "Can't you see me falling, You only got to turn around," suggests that despite their efforts, those around them are oblivious to their pain.
The chorus, "I'm only the ghost of a man," further emphasizes the profound feeling of being invisible and insignificant. The singer feels as though they are barely present, as if they have become a mere apparition. They long for someone to truly see them and recognize their existence.
The second verse introduces the concept of hitting rock bottom and experiencing enduring sadness, as expressed in the lines, "Ever seen the bottom, It looks a long way to the top, You get these blues and you got'em, It feels like they'll never stop." The singer is engulfed in a cycle of despair and it seems like there is no escape.
The final lines of the song, "Water won't you clean my soul, Wash me down and make me whole, Lift me up this very day, And carry me away," resonate with a yearning for redemption and release. The singer seeks purification and salvation from their troubles, asking for a transformative experience that will uplift and free them.
Overall, "Ghosts of a Man" explores themes of loneliness, alienation, and the desire to be seen and understood. It captures the emotional struggle of feeling like an invisible presence in the world, yearning for connection and relief from inner turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear me calling
Do you have the ability to perceive my cry for help?
Calling as I'm going down
Pleading for assistance as I am spiraling into despair
Can't you see me falling
Are you not able to witness my descent into sadness and despair?
You only got to turn around
All it takes is for you to change your perspective and pay attention
I'm here with you today
Physically present in your presence at this moment
But I might as well be miles away
However, emotionally, I feel distant and disconnected
It's hard to understand
Difficult to comprehend and grasp the depth of my struggle
No matter where I am
Regardless of my physical location
I'm only the ghost of a man
I exist as a mere shadow, lacking substance and vitality
Ever seen the bottom
Have you ever experienced the lowest point of existence?
It looks a long way to the top
The journey to recovery and happiness seems arduous and distant
You get these blues and you got'em
These feelings of sadness and melancholy are consuming
It feels like they'll never stop
They seem endless, as if they will persist indefinitely
Water won't you clean my soul
Water symbolizes purification, and I seek cleansing and renewal
Wash me down and make me whole
Through this purification, I hope to regain my sense of completeness and well-being
Lift me up this very day
Elevate me from this state of despair and sadness immediately
And carry me away
Transport me to a place or state of liberation and peace
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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