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.
I'm Evil
Roy Buchanan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You dun' come to the right place
If you're looking for trouble
Look me right in the face
I was born standing up
And talking back
My daddy was a mean-eyed lumberjack
Yeah, I'm evil
Yeah, just as evil as I can be
I can even tell the hoodoo child
Yeah, exactly how it's gonna be
Honey, you better tell your husband
To quit sneakin' and peekin' at me
If he wants to find out the man
That I'm supposed to be
I'll walk right up to him
Look him right in the face
I might even snap/snatch both of his legs out of place
Oh, I'm evil
Yeah, oh, I'm evil as can be
I can even tell a voodoo child
Yeah, just exactly how its gon' be
I'm gonna tell all you women
Just what it's all about
I can even tell you where the light went
When it went out
Woah, I'm evil
Yeah, I'm evil as can be
That means all you people
Yeah, you better not mess around with me
The song "I'm Evil" by Roy Buchanan showcases the persona of an individual who is not afraid to cause trouble and is not intimidated by anyone. The lyrics suggest the singer's confidence in their own strength and ability to confront anyone who dares to cross them. The line "If you're looking for trouble, you've come to the right place" is a perfect introduction to the singer's ominous demeanor and sets the mood for the rest of the song.
The singer's self-proclamation of evilness and the mention of their dad being a mean-eyed lumberjack suggests that the singer may have inherited their father's traits and has grown up in a rough environment. The vocal delivery of the lyrics and the gritty guitar sound reinforce the idea that the singer is not to be messed with. The lines "I might even snap both his legs out of place," and "You better not mess around with me" have a threatening tone and give listeners a sense of the dangerous side of the singer.
Overall, "I'm Evil" is a powerful, guitar-driven song that depicts the persona of someone who is confident, confrontational, and not afraid of causing trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, if you're looking for trouble
If you're trying to instigate or cause problems, this isn't the right place for you.
You dun' come to the right place
This is not the type of environment where problems will be tolerated.
If you're looking for trouble
If you're searching for conflict or issues, you'll find them by confronting me.
Look me right in the face
Face me head-on and do not shy away from confrontation.
I was born standing up
From my first moments of existence, I was unyielding to those who would attempt to dominate me.
And talking back
I was never one to shy away from asserting myself and responding to challenges.
My daddy was a mean-eyed lumberjack
My father was a tough and imposing figure, and I inherited his sense of defiance.
Yeah, I'm evil
I have a malevolent and wicked nature.
Yeah, just as evil as I can be
My nature tends towards evil and malicious behavior.
I can even tell the hoodoo child
I possess a supernatural ability to understand the future and communicate it to others, particularly those who practice hoodoo.
Yeah, exactly how it's gonna be
My understanding and predictions of the future are precise and unerring.
Honey, you better tell your husband
You should warn your spouse.
To quit sneakin' and peekin' at me
Tell your spouse to stop engaging in secretive or suspicious behavior towards me.
If he wants to find out the man
If he desires to know more about me and my character.
That I'm supposed to be
The true nature of my being.
I'll walk right up to him
I will approach him directly and without hesitation.
I might even snap/snatch both of his legs out of place
I am so dangerous and physically imposing that I could cause significant injury to him.
Oh, I'm evil
I am wicked and malign.
Yeah, oh, I'm evil as can be
My nature is as dark and sinful as possible.
I can even tell a voodoo child
My clairvoyant powers can also extend to those who practice or are affected by voodoo.
I'm gonna tell all you women
I will explain to all the women present.
Just what it's all about
The nature of my malevolence and dangerous character.
I can even tell you where the light went
I possess knowledge and insight into even the most obscure and mysterious aspects of life.
When it went out
The end of life or good fortune.
Woah, I'm evil
I have a dark and menacing nature.
Yeah, I'm evil as can be
My malevolent character is extreme and without limits.
That means all you people
You should all take note of my warnings and avoid any conflict with me.
Yeah, you better not mess around with me
Any attempt to engage or disturb me will result in harm or chaos.
Contributed by Reagan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Spike Speigel
Well, if you're looking for trouble
You dun' come to the right place
If you're looking for trouble
Look me right in the face
I was born standing up
And talking back
My daddy was a mean-eyed lumberjack
Yeah, I'm evil
Yeah, just as evil as I can be
I can even tell the hoodoo child
Yeah, exactly how it's gonna be
Honey, you better tell your husband
To quit sneakin' and peekin' at me
If he wants to find out the man
That I'm supposed to be
I'll walk right up to him
Look him right in the face
I might even snap/snatch both of his legs out of place
Oh, I'm evil
Yeah, oh, I'm evil as can be
I can even tell a voodoo child
Yeah, just exactly how its gon' be
I'm gonna tell all you women
Just what it's all about
I can even tell you where the light went
When it went out
Woah, I'm evil
Yeah, I'm evil as can be
That means all you people
Yeah, you better not mess around with me
Pablo Rocha
This artist should never die , best ever
JAMES MOORE
He won't, he's got plenty of albums, SECOND ALBUM is my favorite album.
Rick Devine
Roy is the cousin of A friend of mine . I've been a fan since the early 70s his fingers are amazlng . I don't think there is a rock guitarist alive that that doesnt respect this man's amazing ability and enormous talent. What a player !!
Bryan Johnston
There's never, ever, been a single person who played a Tele better than Roy. Ever. RIP Roy
Michael Adrian
The Power of the guitar....sends chills
Alberto Mora
anyone that has seen the performance of him playing Roy's Blue knows that he was one of a kind. this is a hell of a blues man
john dicapua
ROY COULD BE EVIL ON STAGE BUT HE WAS TRULY AMAZING WITH THAT TELECASTER ... RIP !
John Watson
Man this guy can play fast as lightning
Michael Adrian
Yes Johnny Guitar Watson
Rikki Saturn
that intro and that damn solo.... dies to amazing.