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.
blues guitar solo
Roy Buchanan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, when a guitar plays the blues
You know, you get the strangest little feelin'
Yeah, when a guitar plays the blues
You know, your body gets a message
Yeah, your soul has got to move
Yeah, you might even snatch or cry
Yeah, the feelin' you're feelin' within you
Well, you know, you just can't hide
You got to bend it like that
You kinda squeeze it like this
And it reaches down inside you
Yeah, your soul let just can't resist
'Cause you get the strangest kinda feelin'
Yeah, when that guitar plays the blues
You know, your body gets a message
Yeah, your soul, your soul
Your soul has got to move
And when the music's over
It's time to turn out the lights
You know the blues goes home with ya
Yeah, that soothes you through the night
You get the strange kinda feelin'
Yeah, when that guitar plays the blues
You know, your body gets the message
And your soul, your soul, your soul
Your soul has got to move
"When a Guitar Plays the Blues" is a blues song that evokes the emotions and sensations that come with listening to the guitar. The lyrics suggest that the guitar has a mystical ability to communicate with the listener's soul, eliciting a feeling that cannot be ignored. The first verse describes this sensation as a strange feeling that might cause one to bat their eyes or even cry. The guitar's melody seems to reach inside the listener's body and connect with their soul, prompting physical movement that can range from subtle swaying to overt dancing. Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that this connection with the guitar doesn't end when the music stops. The blues leaves with the listeners and provides them with solace long into the night.
Buchanan's lyrics capture an essential element of blues music - the emotional and experiential aspects that go beyond particular lyrics or verse structures. The song stresses the importance of feeling the music rather than simply hearing it. It is not just about the specific words that are sung, it's about the way that the music makes the listener feel. The guitar is not just an instrument in this song; it's a conduit for communication between the listener and the blues.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, you get the strangest feelin'
The music played by the guitar creates an unusual sensation.
Yeah, when a guitar plays the blues
The song played by Roy Buchanan on his guitar is a blues tune.
You know, your body gets a message
The music causes a physical reaction in the body.
Yeah, your soul has got to move
The music also has an emotional impact on the person.
You know, you might even bat your eye
The music is so powerful that it can elicit an involuntary physical response such as blinking.
Yeah, you might even snatch or cry
The music can also cause the person to cry uncontrollably or become overwhelmed with emotion.
Yeah, the feelin' you're feelin' within you
The feeling experienced is deep and intense.
Well, you know, you just can't hide
The person cannot control or suppress their emotional reaction to the music.
You got to bend it like that
The person needs to move their body to the music in a certain way.
You kinda squeeze it like this
The person needs to contort their body in a particular fashion to fully experience the music.
And it reaches down inside you
The music affects the person on a deep, visceral level.
Yeah, your soul just can't resist
The music is so powerful that even the person's soul is moved by it.
'Cause you get the strangest kinda feelin'
The music evokes an indescribable feeling that cannot be accurately put into words.
And when the music's over
When the song comes to an end.
It's time to turn out the lights
It's time to go to sleep.
You know the blues goes home with ya
The feeling and impact of the blues music stays with the person even after they stop listening to it.
Yeah, that soothes you through the night
The feeling of the blues is comforting and helps the person sleep peacefully.
You know, your body gets the message
The music sends a clear message to the body.
And your soul, your soul, your soul
The music deeply affects the soul of the person.
Your soul has got to move
The music compels the soul and body of the person to move in response.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ROY BUCHANAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sebraca Beats
I've never heard anyone with this style of blues playing, very unique.
The Dark Lørd
He’s an amazing blues player but it’s not exactly unique, a lot of his playing is derived from Les Paul, Jeff Beck, among others, and with all the standard blues influences of course. But he’s definitely one of the greats! An unappreciated great
Rodney H
@Zachary Smith Uh you might want to go and do some reading Jose is correct that is exactly where blues came from, any group of people can claim it and that's exactly what they will be doing false claiming it. I am black and this man right here was a beast just listen to him bend those strings. I listen to this at least once a day and that is no lie.
Joshua Dowling
@Sebraca Beats Buddy, I hope not. Nobody sounds or plays like Roy. Was there an argument or question in there? I never compared him to any of those that you mentioned. I just said that he is one of my guitar heroes.
Sebraca Beats
@Joshua Dowling I'm not the biggest blues fan, but there's no way I'll confuse Roy's playing with BB King, SRV, Mike Bloomfield or any other blues player that I know. If you think all blues players have this same style of playing, you probably need to listen to music more carefully.
Joshua Dowling
@Sebraca Beats yeah. Every blues guitar player, ever.Start with that. Just saying.
Michael Ulbricht
Absolutely stunning! It's possible that you may run across a guitarist that's as good as Roy, but you'll never see one who's better.
Michael Ulbricht
@telecaster fanatic Look at the two posts above yours. I agree with you about Danny. Take care!
telecaster fanatic
Danny Gatton for one.
Michael Ulbricht
@Tommy Butler Yes, Danny's in the top tier. I still don't know how he could douse his Telecaster in beer, then dry the fretboard off with a towel, and still play clean & coherently? Sadly, both men would die before they turned 50; allegedly by their own hand. Take care and Peace!