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.
Hey Joe
Roy Buchanan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Huh! and that ain't cool
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
You shot her down now
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Yeah!
Yes, I did, I shot her
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Huh, yes I did I shot her
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
And I gave her the gun
And I shot her
Alright
Shoot her one more time again baby!
Yeah!
Oh dig it
Oh alright
Hey Joe,
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Hey Joe, I said
Where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
I'm goin' way down south
Way down to Mexico way
Alright
I'm goin' way down south
Way down where I can be free
Ain't no one gonna find me
Ain't no hang-man gonna
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
You better believe it right now
I gotta go now
Hey, Joe
You better run on down
Goodbye everybody
Hey hey Joe
The lyrics of Roy Buchanan's "Hey Joe" describe a man named Joe who is considering harming his old lady as he has caught her cheating on him with another man. Although the song is often regarded as a murder ballad, Buchanan never explicitly mentions that Joe killed or shot his old lady. Instead, the song portrays Joe as a man who has been betrayed by his lover, leading him to seek revenge. The lyrics showcase Joe's decision to shoot his lady and the aftermath of his action. In the second verse, Joe seems to have killed his mother too. He then decides to flee down to Mexico to escape punishment for his actions.
The song's primary theme is vengeance, and it portrays the idea that betrayal can lead someone to do something that they might not have considered before. Through Joe's character, the song's lyrics showcase how anger and jealousy can lead to violent actions. The song has been covered by several musicians over the years, including Jimi Hendrix, The Byrds, and The Leaves.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your hand
Asking Joe why he is carrying a gun
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh
Repeating the question in a more exasperated manner
I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Joe is planning to shoot his girlfriend/wife
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe caught his woman cheating on him
Yeah, I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady
Joe reiterates his plan to shoot his girlfriend/wife
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Joe repeats the reason for his anger
Huh! and that ain't cool
This cheating situation is not okay with Joe
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mama down
Asking Joe about rumors that he shot his mother
You shot her down now
Confirming that Joe indeed shot his mother
Hey Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
Asking about rumors of Joe shooting his girlfriend/wife
You shot her down in the ground yeah!
Confirming that Joe shot his girlfriend/wife and she is now dead
Yes, I did, I shot her
Joe admits to the crime
You know I caught her messin' round messin' round town
Reiterating that he caught his girlfriend/wife cheating
Huh, yes I did I shot her
Joe admits to shooting his girlfriend/wife again
You know I caught my old lady messin' 'round town
Repeating the reason for his actions
And I gave her the gun
Joe confirms that he was the one who gave her the gun
And I shot her
Joe confirms that he pulled the trigger
Hey Joe, where you gonna run to now where you gonna go
Asking Joe where he plans to hide after committing the crime
I'm goin' way down south
Joe plans to flee to Mexico
Way down to Mexico way
Further confirming his plans to escape to Mexico
I'm goin' way down south
Repeating his plans to flee to Mexico
Way down where I can be free
Joe wants to escape to a place where he can be free from consequences
Ain't no one gonna find me
Joe hopes that no one will be able to find him in Mexico
Ain't no hang-man gonna
No one will be able to execute him in Mexico
He ain't gonna put a rope around me
Specifically referring to avoiding the death penalty
You better believe it right now
Joe is serious about his plan to escape
I gotta go now
Joe is in a hurry to leave
Hey, Joe
A final farewell to Joe
You better run on down
An ominous warning to Joe
Goodbye everybody
Joe's farewell to everyone else
Hey hey Joe
One final call to Joe
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Billy Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dan-zq5wt
The guy is just calmly standing there killing it! Roy Buchanan and Rory Gallagher are two of the greatest blues players who never became household names.
@myoldmate
So laid back. If you see just him without listening to him playing, it's incomprehensible that all this beauty, interpretation, and execution is even happening.
It's like a duck on water, all calm above, fury below.
So so good.
@user-pd5uv3si3w
Correct! Great talents!!!!!
@user-mx8yx7wl7p
Thank you for that post. This blues rock enthusiast agrees 100%
@joeyfelton1719
Two of the best examples.
@coryd2668
@@myoldmateperfect description!!
@kelesays
Holy mother of God... Where have I been all these 37 years I been listening to guitar music? I have never heard before that guy and never herd of him. He is miracle! Top level maestro! And now I am sitting here with my hands all wet and goosebumps all over my body. God bless this day and youtube)
@edu-lins
Same here, but I took less time than you — only 15 years lol
@knottsscary
haha brother im 25 now, been playing since i was 13. found about this guy 3-4 years ago and i said the same thing. he is absolutely incredible
@robertvavra414
I saw him play live a few times in Denver, 1974 - 1976. The audience in the small club consisted largely of guitar players; who routinely had to pick their jaws off the floor.