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.
Five String Blues
Roy Buchanan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is my final plea
Yes, Jesus
This is my final plea
You know I'm still begging you,
Don't let the devil get the best of me
The lyrics to Roy Buchanan's "Five String Blues" convey a sense of desperation and a plea for divine intervention. The opening line "Oh, Jesus" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer begs for protection from the forces of evil. The repetition of the phrase "This is my final plea" emphasizes the urgency of the situation and suggests that the singer has exhausted all other options. The line "You know I'm still begging you" implies a previous request for help that may have gone unanswered.
The final line, "Don't let the devil get the best of me", suggests that the singer is struggling with temptation or addiction and is afraid of succumbing to them. The song is a powerful expression of the human struggle against temptation, and the belief in a higher power that can provide strength and support in times of need. The use of blues music, with its roots in African American spirituals, adds to the emotional intensity of the lyrics, as well as the sense of authenticity and cultural significance.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Jesus
Oh, Almighty God, I am calling out to you.
This is my final plea
This is my last request before my final moment.
Yes, Jesus
Indeed, Lord Jesus, I am still calling out to you.
You know I'm still begging you,
I have been pleading with you before and I am still desperately asking for your help.
Don't let the devil get the best of me
I am requesting you to not let Satan win over me and take control of my soul.
Contributed by Elliot B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jose Angel Hernaiz-Cotrina
This song gives me the shivers like no other. There is definetely something esoteric about Roy's playing.
TheHumbuckerboy
I totally agree
Dario Pedretti
Me too this Is esoterism
Doug Long
No words can describe this man's playing.
Mike S
Man ... perfection ... beautiful .... thank you roy .... we will never forget you ..... that tone .... that sound ... those percise notes .... heavenly .... soothing .... roy buchanan thank you forever ...
Johann Abeyesinghe
My all time favourite Roy Buchanan track. This captures all aspects of the man's playing. Clean. Crisp. It is ingrained in my brain! RIP Roy
Adam Berwick
For Real! this song Touches my Soul!!
sebatian alvarado
makes me get a tear always ...
TheHumbuckerboy
One of THE most expressive examples of lead guitar playing ever !
russlehman
Roy as always was incredible. Piano player wasn't too bad either.