Frank "Son" Seals (August 13, 1942-December 20, 2004) was an American blues… Read Full Bio ↴Frank "Son" Seals (August 13, 1942-December 20, 2004) was an American blues guitarist and singer.

He was born in 1942 in Osceola, Arkansas where his father, Jim "Son" Seals, owned a small club. He began performing professionally by the age of 13, first as a drummer and later as a guitarist. In 1959, he formed his own band which performed locally and he also toured with Albert King.[1]

In 1971, he moved to Chicago. His career took off after he was discovered by Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records at the Flamingo Club in Chicago's South Side. His debut, Son Seals, was released in 1973. The album included "Your Love Is Like a Cancer" and "Hot Sauce". Seals followed up with 1976's Midnight Son and 1978's Live and Burning. He continued releasing albums throughout the next two decades. He received the W.C. Handy Award, an honor for best blues recording of the year, in 1985, 1987, and 2001.

Author Andrew Vachss was a friend of Seals, and used his influence to promote Seals' music. Vachss gave Seals several cameo appearances in his novels[2] and co-wrote songs with him for his 2000 album, Lettin' Go.[3] Vachss dedicated the novel Mask Market to Seals' memory.[4]

Son had a host of troubles to deal with over his life. He survived all but one of his 14 siblings; he himself was shot twice in the face by his ex-wife, which required extensive surgeries. One of his legs was amputated, due to complications from diabetes. He lost belongings in a fire that destroyed his home while he was away performing live, and several of his prize guitars were stolen from his home. [5]

The band Phish performed Son's song "Funky Bitch" throughout their career and brought him on stage on multiple occasions, turning a whole new generation on to his music.

Seals died from complications of diabetes; he was survived by his sister and fourteen children.[6]

Buzzard Luck
Son Seals Lyrics

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I was born on the 13th hour
born on the 13th day
Bad luck and trouble are all
that come my way
I should be flying over that desert
just like that long neck bird
trying to find something
I can make a ummmm

I'm so tired, I could cry
I can't kill nothin' boy
and won't nothing die

I came to the city
long before my time
trying to make my fortune
eat well wine and dine
But boy when I got here
it went the other way
I slept in the park
all night Y'all
and walked the streets all day

(chorus)
Bad ol' buzzard has got me
I feel like I could cry
I can't kill nothin' boy
and won't nothing die

I went down to the welfare
to try and get some help
They said no boy we're sorry
we don't have enough for ourself
well they threw me out of the office
and told me to go away
come back and try your luck
boy some other day

(repeat chours)

(spoken)
Oh look at the mess I got myself into now
been fooling around this old town
for three long months in a row
and ain't been having nothing but buzzard luck
I can't kill nothing and won't nothin' die
I done got down to my last twenty cents
I don't know what to do with this
whether I should try to make a phone call home
or go on and keep this and see if I can build it up
I tell ya'
Look at my shoes they done fell apart
and my socks are hangin' out
I don't know what to do
I think maybe I'll go down on 43rd street
see if I can look up my friends Buddy Guy and Junior Wells
Maybe I'll get a little hand out huh?
But on the other hand before I do

I feel like playin' the blues before I go
Is that alright?

Overall Meaning

The song "Buzzard Luck" by Son Seals is a blues song that speaks to the theme of bad luck and misfortune. The lyrics indicate a sense of hopelessness and desperation. The singer feels as though he has been dealt a bad hand in life, as he was born on a day and hour believed to bring bad luck. He sees himself as being stuck in a negative cycle, unable to break free from his bad luck. He compares himself to a buzzard, a bird known for its scavenging tendencies, suggesting that he is barely surviving.

The singer's attempt to go to the city to try and improve his lot in life has only led to disappointment. He has no money, no prospects, and no one to turn to for help, exemplified by his unsuccessful visit to the welfare office. He is reduced to beggary, unable to even afford new shoes. Despite his dire circumstances, the singer seems to have a resilient spirit, clinging to the hope of things eventually turning out better for him.

Overall, the song conveys the blues spirit of lamenting one's troubles in a way that is both relatable and poetic. It captures the essence of what it means to be down on one's luck, struggling to survive in a world that offers little hope.

Line by Line Meaning

I was born on the 13th hour
I was born at a time associated with bad luck.

born on the 13th day
I was born on a day associated with bad luck.

Bad luck and trouble are all that come my way
I experience constant misfortune and difficulty.

I should be flying over that desert
I wish I could escape my current situation.

just like that long neck bird
Like the bird, I long for the ability to fly away.

trying to find something I can make a ummmm
I am searching for a way to improve my situation.

I'm so tired, I could cry
I am exhausted both physically and emotionally.

I can't kill nothin' boy and won't nothing die
I am unable to find success or progress in anything I attempt.

I came to the city long before my time
I moved to the city too early in life.

trying to make my fortune
I hoped to achieve financial success.

eat well wine and dine
I wanted to enjoy the finer things in life.

But boy when I got here it went the other way
Things did not go according to plan.

I slept in the park all night Y'all and walked the streets all day
I have been homeless and struggling to survive.

Bad ol' buzzard has got me I feel like I could cry
My constant bad luck has left me feeling hopeless.

I went down to the welfare to try and get some help
I sought assistance from government welfare programs.

They said no boy we're sorry we don't have enough for ourself
I was denied help due to lack of resources.

well they threw me out of the office and told me to go away
I was turned away and left with nothing.

come back and try your luck boy some other day
I was given false hope and no real solution.

Oh look at the mess I got myself into now
I realize the direness of my situation.

been fooling around this old town for three long months in a row
I have been struggling and unable to find success for an extended period of time.

and ain't been having nothing but buzzard luck
My bad luck has continued without any break in sight.

I done got down to my last twenty cents
I am almost completely broke.

whether I should try to make a phone call home or go on and keep this and see if I can build it up
I am unsure whether to call for help or try to make the most out of what little I have left.

Look at my shoes they done fell apart and my socks are hangin' out
My clothing and shoes are in a state of disrepair.

I think maybe I'll go down on 43rd street see if I can look up my friends Buddy Guy and Junior Wells
I plan to seek help from my musician friends in the hopes that they will assist me.

Maybe I'll get a little hand out huh?
I hope they will give me some money or assistance.

But on the other hand before I do I feel like playin' the blues before I go
Before seeking help, I plan to express my feelings through music.

Is that alright?
Can I freely express myself and my emotions?

Contributed by Aria A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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