They originally got together just for fun, but in the process stayed together far longer than any of their previous groups had ever managed to do.[citation needed]
Their first album, The Official Blues Band Bootleg Album, a mixture of blues standards and original songs – notably the Jones-McGuinness composition "Come On In", and their long-standing stage favourite "Flatfoot Sam" - initially attracted no interest from major record companies, so they pressed a limited run of 3,000 themselves, hand-stamped their logo on the cardboard sleeve, and signed them all. After unqualified endorsement from BBC Radio 1 presenter Simon Bates and others, media interest resulted in a recording contract with Arista Records, who gave the album an official release.
In 1982 Flint left, and was replaced by former Family drummer Rob Townsend. They briefly disbanded later that year after recording a live album, Bye Bye Blues, released in 1983, but reformed soon afterwards. They have remained a constant factor on the music scene ever since, unfazed by lack of chart success (after the first few years, as demonstrated below), happy to combine a regular schedule of touring and recording around their other commitments. More recent albums include Back For More, Homage, Brassed Up, Wire Less, Fat City, and Thank You Brother Ray, the last being a set of cover versions of Ray Charles songs, recorded as a tribute.
Jones, McGuinness and Townsend are also members of The Manfreds, a virtual reincarnation of Manfred Mann, though because of the non-participation of the eponymous keyboard player of the 1960s outfit, legal reasons and courtesies require them to assume the name 'Manfreds'. Jones and Kelly sometimes play gigs as a duo, and Kelly performs with The Dave Kelly Band (generally The Blues Band without Jones).
As the band themselves often joke, "The music industry doesn’t bother us and we don’t bother them."
Tobacco Road
The Blues Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
my mother died, my daddy got drunk
they Left me here, to die or grow
in the middle of Tobacco Road
A nyomor szült, az út nevelt,
Anyám halott rég, apám vedelt,
És mind a kettő otthagyott,
Az otthonom kiégett ház,
Az éhezéstől kivert a láz,
A pokol útján, jártam ott
A cím a régi, csak Tobacco Road.
Tobacco Road, átkozott Tobacco Road,
Tobacco Road, gyűlöllek, Tobacco Road!
A bátyám ült, a tanár vert,
A húgom pénzért bárkit ölelt,
Az isten tudja csak, hogy mit adott
nekem az átkozott Tobacco Road.
Lelépek innen, munkát kapok,
Lesz pénzem venni dinamitot,
És végre mindent lerombolok,
Nem lesz többé már Tobacco Road.
Tobacco Road, átkozott Tobacco Road,
Tobacco Road, gyűlöllek, Tobacco Road!
A nyomor szült, az út nevelt,
Anyám halott rég, apám vedelt,
És mind a kettő otthagyott,
A cím a régi, csak Tobacco Road.
Tobacco Road, átkozott Tobacco Road,
Tobacco Road, gyűlöllek, Tobacco Road!
Jaja...cakcakpakkcakpakk..
The lyrics of The Blues Band's song "Tobacco Road" tell the story of a person who was born and raised in a desolate and poverty-stricken environment. The first verse reveals that the singer was born in a dump, and their mother died while their father turned to alcohol. They were left to either die or grow up in the middle of Tobacco Road, symbolizing a place full of hardship and struggle.
The second verse continues to describe the dire circumstances of the singer's life. Their home is an burned-out house, and they are plagued by poverty and illness. They have wandered through the hellish path of Tobacco Road, suggesting that it is a place that brings nothing but misery.
The chorus expresses the singer's strong feelings of hatred and disdain towards Tobacco Road, repeating the line "Tobacco Road, I hate you, Tobacco Road!" This repetition emphasizes the intense emotions and bitterness they feel towards their upbringing.
The third verse delves into the struggles faced by the singer's siblings. Their brother was imprisoned while their sister resorted to prostitution for money. The lyrics suggest that only God knows the hardships and sacrifices the singer has endured on Tobacco Road.
Finally, in the last verse, the singer declares their intention to leave Tobacco Road and find work elsewhere. They plan to save money to buy dynamite and destroy everything, promising that there will no longer be a Tobacco Road.
The lyrics of "Tobacco Road" paint a vivid picture of a harsh and impoverished existence, highlighting the singer's determination to escape and overcome their oppressive environment.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in a dump
I came into this world in a miserable and neglected place
my mother died, my daddy got drunk
My mother passed away, my father drowned his sorrows in alcohol
they Left me here, to die or grow
They abandoned me here, leaving me with the choice to either perish or survive
in the middle of Tobacco Road
Right in the heart of a destitute and impoverished area known as Tobacco Road
A nyomor szült, az út nevelt
Misery gave birth to me, and the road brought me up
Anyám halott rég, apám vedelt
My mother has been dead for a long time, my father drowned his sorrows
És mind a kettő otthagyott
And both of them left me behind
A cím a régi, csak Tobacco Road
The title is old, it's just Tobacco Road
Az otthonom kiégett ház
My home is a burnt-out house
Az éhezéstől kivert a láz
The fever was driven by starvation
A pokol útján, jártam ott
I walked on the path of hell
Tobacco Road, átkozott Tobacco Road
Tobacco Road, accursed Tobacco Road
Tobacco Road, gyűlöllek, Tobacco Road!
Tobacco Road, I hate you, Tobacco Road!
A bátyám ült, a tanár vert
My brother sat, the teacher hit
A húgom pénzért bárkit ölelt
My sister embraced anyone for money
Az isten tudja csak, hogy mit adott
Only God knows what He has given
nekem az átkozott Tobacco Road
To me, the accursed Tobacco Road
Lelépek innen, munkát kapok
I will leave from here, find a job
Lesz pénzem venni dinamitot
I will have money to buy dynamite
És végre mindent lerombolok
And finally, I will destroy everything
Nem lesz többé már Tobacco Road
There won't be Tobacco Road anymore
Jaja...cakcakpakkcakpakk..
Hmm... just some nonsensical sounds
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Deák Bill Gyula, Földes László (Hobo), Hobo (Földes László), Loudermilk John D, Pálmai Zoltán, Póka Egon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind