In a relatively short time period, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Tommy Castro has gone from playing local venues to international fame. For at least two years, he has even been a part of the B.B. King Festival Tour, which this year played thirty-nine different domestic venues. He has also been the house band on NBC-TV’s Comedy Showcase, for three seasons. Working as the house band on NBC’s Comedy Showcase, airing after Saturday Night Live, only boosted his visibility and name value. Castro’s music has also been featured in network television programs such as “Nash Bridges” and “The Young and the Restless.” He has won regional awards and has been featured on the cover of a national blues magazine, “Blues Revue.”
Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Castro started playing guitar at the tender age of ten. Initially inspired by Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, and Elvin Bishop, he started the inevitable journey into the roots of his heroes and discovered and quickly became enamored of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Freddie King. His vocal styling came from constant listening to Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Otis Redding.
Castro spent many years playing with bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. Castro joined Warner Brothers artists The Dynatones in the late 1980s. The much-loved rocking soul band had a huge fan base and toured the U.S. constantly. He honed his chops with the band on the road for two years, performing live all across the country and backing major artists like Carla Thomas and Albert King.
Returning to San Francisco, he formed the Tommy Castro Band in 1991, which was named Club Band Of The Year for the Bay Area in 1993, and again in 1994. Regular band members have included Randy MacDonald (bass/vocals), Keith Crossan (saxophone/vocals), Billy Lee Lewis (drums/vocals), and Chris Sandoval (drums/percussion).
In 1997, he won Bammies for Outstanding Blues Musician and for Outstanding Blues Album for his debut release on Blind Pig Records, Exception to the Rule. The band continued to record with Blind Pig over several albums. Can’t Keep A Good Man Down received continuous airplay and regular fan requests on well over 400 radio stations nationwide.
Live at the Fillmore was released in early 2000, and with everyone from industry insiders to B.B. King singing his praises, Castro appeared to be headed for bigger and better things. Blind Pig closed the books on their association with Castro in 2002 by releasing the career retrospective The Essential Tommy Castro.
In 2001 the Tommy Castro Band moved over to 33rd Street Records for Guilty Of Love and then to Heart And Soul for 2003’s Gratitude, a cover album of Castro’s greatest heroes, followed by Triple Trouble (with Jimmy Hall and Lloyd Jones) later that same year from Telarc.
The eclectic flavour of 2005’s Soul Shaker, marking his return to Blind Pig, featured more original compositions from Castro, who wrote or co-wrote all the tracks. Although horns and guitars still dominated, the fusion was more varied. Notable tracks included the wistful “Anytime Soon” and “The Crossanova”, characterised by Crossan’s funky flute.
Tommy Castro and his brilliant band have captured a hold of legions of fans and critics alike around the world with their mesmerizing blend of rock, blues and Memphis soul. On the next release – Painkiller – they continued to explore the boundaries of American roots music.
On this CD, Castro teamed up with producer John Porter, renowned for his work with a Who’s Who list of artists such as Los Lonely Boys, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Santana, B.B. King, Elvis Costello, adn Buddy Guy. Said Castro, “When I started looking for a producer, I realized that John had produced some of my favorite records of the last ten years. After working with him in the studio, I understand now why that is. With John, everything just seems to be right; all the parts work and flow together.” With the Tommy Castro Band anchoring the sessions, Porter fashioned a most tasteful album from the many talented parts of Castro’s patented rock ‘n’ soul music. Special guests Coco Montoya, Angela Strehli, David Maxwell, and Teresa James join the fun.
In 2009, Alligator Records has set an August 11 street date for Hard Believer, the label debut from Tommy Castro.
Can't You See What You're Doing To Me
Tommy Castro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you've been doin' to me, yea, yea
Baby, baby, baby, girl can't you see
What you've been doin' to me, alright
Said you want to leave me baby
You going back to your old time it used to be
I work two jobs, I bring home all my pay
Why don't you do some thing my way
Baby, baby, baby, oh girl can't you see
What you've been doin to me, yea, yea
You said you want to leave me, baby now
You're goin' back, you're goin' back to your old time it used to be
Alright
I work two jobs, I bring home all my pay
You said that you love me baby now
Can't you do some things my way, my way, my way, my way
Sometime, sometime, oh baby what you've been doin to me, yea, yea
You said you want to leave me baby
You're goin back, you're goin' back to your old time it used to be
Hey baby, hey baby, hey hey
Alright, baby, baby, baby, oh woman can't you see, can't you see
What you've been doin to me, alright
Well you said you want to leave me baby
You're goin' back, you're goin' back, you're goin' back to your old time,
your old time it used to be, hey, hey
The lyrics to Tommy Castro's "Can't You See What You're Doing To Me" seem to describe a situation where the singer is pleading with a woman to reconsider her decision to leave him. He tells her that she has been doing something to him, but doesn't clarify what it is. He also mentions that he works two jobs and brings home all his pay, and that he has asked her to do things his way, although it's unclear what those things are. Ultimately, he expresses frustration that she is leaving him and going back to her old life.
The song seems to be about a relationship that is facing some sort of crisis. While the singer appears to be devoted to his partner – working hard to support them financially – it's unclear what exactly she's been doing to him. It could be that she's been emotionally distant or unfaithful, or she may simply be unhappy with the relationship. Regardless, the singer is desperate to keep her with him and is willing to change things in order to make her happy. However, she seems dead-set on going back to her old ways, leaving the singer heartbroken and frustrated.
Overall, "Can't You See What You're Doing To Me" is a powerful blues track that conveys the pain of a failed relationship. While the lyrics are straightforward, they evoke a sense of emotional intensity and lament that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey baby, oh girl can't you see
The singer is addressing his partner and asking her if she understands the effect her actions have had on him.
What you've been doin' to me, yea, yea
The singer is expressing the negative impact his partner's behavior has had on him.
Baby, baby, baby, girl can't you see
The singer is continuing to appeal to his partner in an attempt to make her recognize her actions and their consequences.
What you've been doin' to me, alright
The artist is reiterating the negative effects his partner's behavior has had on him and hoping for her to acknowledge it.
Said you want to leave me baby
The artist acknowledges that his partner has expressed a desire to end their relationship.
You going back to your old time it used to be
The singer is suggesting that his partner's desire to leave is rooted in her desire to return to a previous lifestyle or relationship.
I work two jobs, I bring home all my pay
The singer is emphasizing that he works hard to provide for their household.
You told me you love me woman
The artist is referencing a previous expression of love from his partner in an attempt to remind her of their deeper connection.
Why don't you do some thing my way
The artist is asking his partner to compromise and make some effort to address his needs and concerns.
Sometime, sometime, oh baby what you've been doin to me, yea, yea
The artist is expressing frustration and disappointment with his partner's inconsistent behavior and its effects on him.
Hey baby, hey baby, hey hey
The singer is using repetition to emphasize his appeal to his partner and the urgency of the situation.
Alright, baby, baby, baby, oh woman can't you see, can't you see
The artist is continuing to plead with his partner to recognize the effect her behavior is having on him.
Well, you said you want to leave me baby
The singer is repeating his acknowledgement of his partner's expressed desire to end their relationship.
You're goin' back, you're goin' back, you're goin' back to your old time, your old time it used to be
The singer is suggesting that his partner's desire to leave is rooted in a desire to return to a previous time, rather than any issue with their current relationship specifically.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALBERT KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind