Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Derek Trucks took up the guitar at age 9, and it was quickly apparent that he was a child prodigy. He was playing with a band and touring within two years. His early repertoire was heavily blues-based, obviously inspired by The Allman Brothers Band, of which his uncle, drummer Butch Trucks, is a founding member. Older bluesmen like Howlin' Wolf, jazz musicians Miles Davis, Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Charlie Christian and later Wayne Shorter and many others, became an influence for Trucks a few years later. Eastern Music, mainly Indian Classical, also affected Trucks's musical development, primarily his slide guitar playing, which is often compared to that of Duane Allman but is also heavily influenced by sarod players like Ali Akbar Khan. In 2003, he was the youngest guitarist on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time, and has been hailed as one of the greatest slide guitarists since Duane Allman.
Trucks formed his first band at age 12, and played his first gigs with them as "Derek and the Dominators". Later, Atlanta's jazz and blues bassist Todd Smallie joined Trucks in 1994, and became the first member of what is now the current version of The Derek Trucks Band. When Trucks really set about assembling a lasting band, he was by his reckoning about 14 years old. Smallie, on bass, was the first to join him. As a result, Trucks feels that he's "kind of grown up with him." A year later in 1995, drummer Yonrico Scott completed the band's early rhythm section. The band released its self-titled debut album, The Derek Trucks Band, in 1997, and followed with Out of the Madness in 1999. Scott has been playing with Trucks for over 16 years as of 2008. According to Derek Trucks: "We've developed a kind of 'musical ESP'.. it's nice to have somebody that you don't have to look at...he's just right there with you."
Kofi Burbridge joined the band shortly thereafter, contributing to the band's sound as a multi-instrumentalist, with his versatility on keyboards, flute, and vocals. Like his brother, whom Trucks plays with in the Allman Brothers Band, bassist Oteil Burbridge, Kofi Burbridge's education was primarily rooted in classical and jazz music. In an interview upon the release of their 2002 album, Joyful Noise, Trucks laughingly commented, "Kofi Burbridge has been with us maybe 2-3 years, and he's one of the few musical geniuses that I've had the chance to work with, he's totally insane"... continuing, "I'm really anxious to see in the next few years to see where he takes this, because he's definitely a huge part of what's going on right now."
In 2002 the band's producers, Craig Street and John Snyder recommended singer Mike Mattison to the band. Mattison performed several shows with the band, and Trucks decided Mattison's soulful voice and calm stage presence completed the band's identity. Trucks said of Mattison, "He's got a huge range, so that helps us out a lot when we stretch into some of the different material we cover. It's like having three different vocalists onstage at times. It's a tough piece of the puzzle to find, you know -- a good singer who fits with what you're doing -- so we were very fortunate to hook up with Mike." Mattison had a previous band as well-- a vocal duo, called Scrapomatic, with Paul Olsen, a guitarist and vocalist, whom he still performs with at occasional gigs, including some opening sets for The Derek Trucks Band. The band's final member, Count M'Butu is the only band member that does not appear on every tour. M'Butu, the group's eldest member, plays a variety of African drums. Trucks mentions casually that he had known M'Butu for many years before he joined the Derek Trucks Band, as M'Butu was a regular musical fixture in Atlanta; one of the bastions of the Allman Brothers fan bases.
Trucks' guitar playing is unusual in a number of respects. He steadfastly avoids processing and effects, preferring to get the purest tone possible by connecting his guitar directly to his amplifier, a 1964 Fender Super Reverb. He modifies his tone with the controls on the guitar. He plays without the use of a plectrum (pick), using his fingers instead, plucking primarily with the thumb, index and middle fingers, but also using the ring finger on occasion. He developed his technique himself. His guitar is always tuned to 'Open E'. From the low to high string, (i.e., EBEG#Be) he slightly detunes his low E string (a technique he and Jimmy Herring developed while playing together). Open E is a normal tuning for slide players, as it allows them to form chords more easily, but over the years he has become a highly acclaimed straight lead player without switching to standard tuning (EADGBe).
In 2001, Trucks married singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi. The couple have two children: Charles Kahlil Trucks (born March 8, 2002), and Sophia Naima Trucks (born August 9, 2004). Charles is named for saxophonist Charlie Parker and guitarist Charlie Christian; his middle name is taken from author Khalil Gibran. The name Sophia has mystic overtones (meaning "Wisdom" in Greek), and the unusual middle name comes from the John Coltrane ballad, which Coltrane named after his first wife, Naima.
In 1999, Derek Trucks joined his uncle, drummer Butch Trucks, as a member of The Allman Brothers Band, while continuing to lead his own band. With the Allman Brothers Band he has performed on 2000's Peakin' at the Beacon, 2003's Hittin' the Note, 2003's live DVD At the Beacon Theatre, and 2004's One Way Out.
As of early 2006, Trucks is an accompanying guitarist in Eric Clapton's 2006-2007 touring band. In early 2006, Trucks lost equipment, as an equipment trailer was stolen. Some of the gear was recovered on May 18, 2006, as reported in the Columbia Records Derek Trucks Forum. Gear that was reported as recovered from a field outside Atlanta, GA includes Derek's "1965 BFSR, the amp he's been playing since he was a young boy; Derek's 1968 SFSR (one of the backup amps),the DTB's Hammond B-3, two Leslies, a Hohner E-7 Clavinet, and a few other minor items."
Like Anyone Else
The Derek Trucks Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First I say I will, then I say I won't, make up your mind
Heaven knows I can, then I say I should
Then I start to doubt if I really could oohhh oohh
So turned around, so turned around, so turned around
Figure it out babe
Think about it baby
Just really, really who I am
Ohh oh who I am oh lord lord lord now
Is there any truth, is there any doubt
Born of the flesh,
Trying to figure out my purpose in life
I feel I wanna be a servant of the cause
Got to change my ways, tribulation loss
Starting right now, right now, right now, right now, right now
Realizing baby
Working and working and working it out working it out baby
Cause I got to leave here - ???
I really wanna know who, who I am
Oh lord, who I am, who I am, who I am
There are times I do, There are times I don't
First I say I will, then I say I won't
Ohh oohh make up your mind, make up your mind
Heaven knows I can, then I say I should,
Then I start to doubt if I really could
Soo turned around, turned around, turned around
Trying to figure it out baby
Thinking about it baby
Just can't understand
Who I really really really really
... who I really am
Is there any truth
Is there any doubt, any doubt, any doubt
... any doubt, any doubt I'm trying to figure it out -
Just a servant of the cause
Got to change my ways, start right now...
The Derek Trucks Band's "Like Anyone Else" is a soulful folk-blues ballad that explores the uncertainties of human existence, the search for meaning and identity, and the struggles to reconcile one's desires and doubts. The lyrics describe a persona who is going through a phase of confusion, indecisiveness, and self-doubt, questioning his purpose and trying to discern his true self. The opening lines suggest that the persona is vacillating between conflicting emotions and ideas, unable to make up his mind or commit to a course of action. The repetition of the phrase "there are times I do, there are times I don't" emphasizes the ambivalence and ambiguity of the singer's stance, while the phrase "make up your mind" suggests a plea for clarity and resolution.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses his desire to understand who he really is and what his place in the world is. He wonders if there is any truth to his aspirations and doubts, and if he can fulfill his potential and serve a higher cause. The lines "I really wanna be a servant of the cause, got to change my ways, tribulation loss" imply an inner struggle to overcome personal obstacles and gain a sense of purpose and direction. The chorus emphasizes the confusion and turmoil of the singer's mind, as he repeats the phrase "so turned around" and seeks to "figure it out".
Overall, the lyrics of "Like Anyone Else" convey a poignant and relatable message about the human condition, reminding us that we are all confronted with doubts and uncertainties, and that the search for identity and meaning is a lifelong journey.
Line by Line Meaning
There are times I do, there are times I don't
Sometimes I follow through with my intentions, sometimes I don't.
First I say I will, then I say I won't, make up your mind
I am indecisive and have trouble committing to my choices.
Heaven knows I can, then I say I should
I have the ability to accomplish something, but I question whether or not I should.
Then I start to doubt if I really could oohhh oohh
I lack confidence in my abilities and question whether or not I am capable.
So turned around, so turned around, so turned around
I am confused and uncertain.
Figure it out babe
I am asking for someone's help or guidance to find clarity.
Think about it baby
I want someone to consider my situation and help me make a decision.
I'm just trying to understand ohh
I am attempting to comprehend my situation and figure out what to do next.
Just really, really who I am
I am trying to define my identity and purpose.
Is there any truth, is there any doubt
I am questioning the validity of certain things in my life.
Born of the flesh, Trying to figure out my purpose in life
As a human being, I am trying to understand the reason for my existence.
I feel I wanna be a servant of the cause
I have a desire to serve a greater purpose or mission.
Got to change my ways, tribulation loss
I need to make changes to my behavior to overcome obstacles.
Starting right now, right now, right now, right now, right now
I need to take action immediately.
Realizing baby
I am coming to a realization or understanding.
Working and working and working it out working it out baby
I am putting in effort to figure things out and find a solution.
Cause I got to leave here - ???
I need to move on from my current situation.
I really wanna know who, who I am
I am eager to discover my true self.
Is there any doubt, any doubt, any doubt
I am still unsure about certain aspects of my life.
Just a servant of the cause
I see myself as someone who wants to serve a greater purpose or mission.
Got to change my ways, start right now...
I need to make changes to my behavior starting immediately.
Contributed by Olivia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tessa Smallwood
One of my very favorites. So much love Derek! Words can't describe!
Cuckoo's Nest
This song will motivate us to try to understand our purpose in life, who we are and what we stand for.
jamwithjeff
Soul soul soul... Sooo gooood! What a good combination!
Joe Eakes
You Can't Make This Shit Up! Derek and King Solomon....Damn! Thank You
Howlin jay
Great tune
ukhio
Ohh the best blues band!
Cristita Colas
Wonderful.
Jay Corr
Great performance of solomon Burke and Derek Trucks Band
guiterry
UN-FRIKIN-BELIEVABLE!!!
Nate Contreras
would be awesome if someone could post the chords to this song on here :)