In 1957, Buchanan made his recording debut, playing the solo on Dale Hawkins' "My Babe" for Chicago's Chess Records. Three years later, Buchanan headed north to Canada, where he took charge of the guitar role in Ronnie Hawkins' band (a group later to gain fame as The Band). The group's guitar player, Robbie Robertson, studied guitar under Buchanan, and took over the lead guitar spot when Buchanan left the group.
The early 60's found Buchanan performing numerous gigs as a sideman with multiple rock bands, and cutting a number of sessions as guitarist with musicians such as Freddy Cannon and Merle Kilgore.
Buchanan's 1962 recording with drummer Bobby Gregg, "Potato Peeler", first introduced the trademark Buchanan pinch harmonics. An effort to cash in on the British Invasion caught Buchanan with The British Walkers. In the mid-'60's, Buchanan settled down in the Washington, DC area, playing as a sideman before starting his own groups. One of these groups was called The Snakestretchers, an allusion to Buchanan's disdain for the vagaries of the band experience. The Snakestretchers became a semi-permanent combo for Buchanan starting in this period, with whom he made his first acclaimed recording as a front man, Roy Buchanan & the Snakestretchers. Danny Gatton was another respected Telecaster master who lived in Washington, D.C. at that time. Both musicians gained reputations as under-appreciated guitarists.
In 1971, riding on word-of-mouth reputation that included praise from John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Merle Haggard, and an alleged invitation to join the Rolling Stones, Buchanan gained national notoriety as the result of an hour-long Public broadcasting television documentary. Entitled "The Best Unknown Guitarist In The World", the show rejuvenated a contract with Polydor and began a decade of national and international touring. He recorded five albums for Polydor (one went gold) and three for Atlantic Records (one gold), while playing most major rock concert halls and festivals. Finally, Buchanan quit recording in 1981, vowing never to enter a studio again unless he could record his own music his own way.
Four years later, Buchanan was coaxed back into the studio by Alligator Records. His first album for Alligator, When a Guitar Plays The Blues, was released in the spring of 1985. It was the first time he was given total artistic freedom in the studio. It was also his first true blues album. Fans quickly responded, and the album entered Billboard's pop charts and remained on the charts for 13 weeks. Music critics, as well as fans, applauded Roy's efforts with favorable reviews.
His second Alligator LP, Dancing on the Edge, was released in the fall of 1986. The album, featuring three songs with special guest, rock'n'soul vocalist Delbert McClinton, won the College Media Journal Award for Best Blues Album of 1986.
He released the twelfth LP of his career and his third for Alligator, Hot Wires, in 1987. In addition to Donald Kinsey (formerly with Albert King and Bob Marley), keyboardist Stan Szelest, and Larry Exum (bass) and Morris Jennings (drums), this album includes guest vocals by veteran soul singer Johnny Sayles and blues singer Kanika Kress.
Buchanan died August 14, 1988 in the Fairfax County, Virginia jail while being held after an arrest for public drunkeness. His death was ruled a suicide, although that finding has been disputed by friends and family.
A Nickel and a Nail
Roy Buchanan Lyrics
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And plenty of money, hmmm
But some way, somehow
You know I failed, yes I did
Now all, all I have
In my pocket, it's a shame
All I can give account of
Right now is a nickel and a nail
I said all, all I have
Is a nickel and a nail
My friends, oh oh
Oh, they just don't know, no they don't
They still deep down in their hearts
They think I'm doing swell
But they don't know
Because (when I'm around them ?) I smile
And every now and then I jingle, yes I do
Oh, they hear me jinglin´
Oh, they hear me jinglin´
With a nickel and a nail
That's all it is
I said all, all I have
Is a nickel and a nail
Now a nickel and a nail
Might save my pride, you see
But the need for your sweet loving
Oh Baby, can't you see it's killin´ me
Oh, you said a long time ago
You told me that the thrill was gone
I didn't believe you
You said Milton
You better hit that ole lonesome, lonesome trail
I had to leave you
Oh Baby, now that I think about it
I realize you didn't care if I made it
I don't believe I will
Oh girl, I can't go too far
For a nickel and a nail, no I can't
I said I can't, I can't make it far
The song "A Nickel and a Nail" by Roy Buchanan is a heartfelt ballad that talks about failed love and financial struggles. The lyrics express the sentiment of a person who had love and money, but lost it all due to his own mistakes. The singer implies that his friends don't know his true situation and that he has been putting up a facade in their presence. He says that all he has left is a nickel and a nail, implying that he is broke and has nothing else to offer.
The lyrics reveal a deep emotional agony of a man who is longing for his lost love. He acknowledges that the only thing that can save his pride is a nickel and a nail. The recurring phrase "all I have" highlights the desperation and hopelessness of the singer's situation. The song culminates with the admission that he can't go too far with a nickel and a nail, indicating the impossibility of moving on while carrying the weight of his past mistakes.
Overall, "A Nickel and a Nail" is a powerful song that captures the essence of failed love and financial struggles that many people can relate to. The lyrics reveal the raw emotions of the singer and paint a vivid picture of his situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I once had love
I used to have love in my life
And plenty of money, hmmm
I was financially stable
But some way, somehow
Unfortunately, for some reason
You know I failed, yes I did
I failed in life
Now all, all I have
Currently, all I possess
In my pocket, it's a shame
It's unfortunate what I possess
All I can give account of
All I can account for
Right now is a nickel and a nail
Is a nickel and a nail
That's all I have
It's the only thing I have
I said all, all I have
I have only the following
Is a nickel and a nail
Just a nickel and a nail
My friends, oh oh
My companions
Oh, they just don't know, no they don't
They aren't aware
They still deep down in their hearts
They still believe
They think I'm doing swell
That I'm successful
But they don't know
They do not understand
Because (when I'm around them ?) I smile
Because I always smile around them
And every now and then I jingle, yes I do
And every now and then I make a jingling sound
Oh, they hear me jinglin´
They hear me making a jingling sound
Oh, they hear me jinglin´
They hear me making a jingling sound
With a nickel and a nail
Due to a nickel and a nail
That's all it is
That's all my jingling sound is
I said all, all I have
I only have
Is a nickel and a nail
A nickel and a nail
Now a nickel and a nail
A nickel and a nail again
Might save my pride, you see
Could help me save face
But the need for your sweet loving
But my need for love
Oh Baby, can't you see it's killin´ me
Is hurting me
Oh, you said a long time ago
You told me in the past
You told me that the thrill was gone
That the excitement was over
I didn't believe you
I didn't trust you
You said Milton
You stated my name
You better hit that ole lonesome, lonesome trail
To go find a new path alone
I had to leave you
I had to go away from you
Oh Baby, now that I think about it
Now that I reconsider
I realize you didn't care if I made it
I notice you didn't care if I succeed
I don't believe I will
I don't think it's possible
Oh girl, I can't go too far
My options are limited
For a nickel and a nail, no I can't
I cannot survive with only a nickel and a nail
I said I can't, I can't make it far
I cannot go far anymore
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON ROBEY, VERNON MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind