TOMMY CASTRO (1955/San Jose, CA – ) and his music sit squarely at the centr… Read Full Bio ↴TOMMY CASTRO (1955/San Jose, CA – ) and his music sit squarely at the centre of an evolving tradition of rock and blues. Castro, winner of the 2008 Blues Music Award for Entertainer Of The Year, is famed not only for his hard-hitting, impassioned vocals, soaring guitar work and his blues-infused, rocking R&B sound, but also for his striking, original songwriting and exhilarating stage show. According to The San Francisco Chronicle, “Castro navigates seriously funky Southern soul, gritty big city blues and scorching rock…his silvery guitar licks simultaneously sound familiar and fresh.”

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.

Love Is
Tommy Castro Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Love is
The only reason
Sometimes
I got for keepin′ on

Love is
The cure
For my condition

When all hope seems gone

I know what love is
I think I know what love is

Love is
A grown man crying
When he finds
His woman gone

Love is
A woman's faith
In her man
If he′s right or wrong

I know what love is
I think I know what love is

Love is the answer
No matter what the question
Love is the spirit
That drives
My intentions
Oh yeah

It's what I want
What I need
Everywhere
And everything
It's the music that I make
Every breath that I take

Love is the answer
No matter what the question
Love is the spirit
That drives
My intentions
Oh yeah

Love is
The power
That shines a light
In a baby′s eyes

Love is
The wisdom
That beats your heart
And keeps it right on time

I know what love is
I think I know what love is
I know what love is
I think I know what love is

I think I know
I think I know
What it is
Talkin′ 'bout love
Talkin′ 'bout love
I need
Love and happiness
It′s what I want
(I know what love is)
It's what I need
I got to have it
(I know what love is)
Way down inside
Woman you need
(I know what love is)
You got to have some love
Yes
(I know what love is)
Yes
I know it′s the spirit
(I know what love is)
I said love is the reason why
(I know what love is)

So go and get some love
I know what love is

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, Tommy Castro explores the concept of love and the significance it holds in his life. He begins by describing love as the only reason he has for continuing on and facing life's challenges. Love becomes a driving force that gives him hope and a sense of purpose.

Castro also sees love as a cure for his emotional state. When he feels low or dejected, love has the power to heal him and bring him back to a positive place. He acknowledges that he may not fully understand love, but he recognizes its impact and importance in his life.

The lyrics highlight the different manifestations of love. Love is depicted as a grown man crying when he loses his partner, illustrating the deep emotional connection and vulnerability that love can bring. It is also described as a woman's faith in her man, showing the trust and belief that love can inspire.

Castro emphasizes that love is the answer to any question. It becomes a guiding force, driving his intentions in life. Love is described as a spirit that motivates and inspires him. It is something he desires and needs in every aspect of his existence, including the music he creates and the very breath he takes.

The power of love is further explored. It is said to shine a light in a baby's eyes, emphasizing its ability to bring joy and innocence. Love is also portrayed as the wisdom that guides and keeps one's heart on the right path.

In the final verses, Castro reaffirms his understanding of love while expressing his desire and need for it. He encourages others to seek love and acknowledges that it is an integral part of the human spirit. Love, for him, is the reason why and a fundamental aspect of a fulfilling life. He suggests that everyone should go and find love, recognizing its significance and its ability to bring happiness and fulfillment.

Line by Line Meaning

Love is
Love encompasses everything mentioned in the song

The only reason
Love is the sole motivation

Sometimes
Occasionally

I got for keepin' on
Love is what keeps me going

The cure
Love is the solution

For my condition
For whatever struggles I may face

When all hope seems gone
When there appears to be no hope remaining

I know what love is
I have an understanding of the essence of love

I think I know what love is
I might have some understanding of love

A grown man crying
Witnessing a grown man in tears

When he finds
Upon discovering

His woman gone
His partner has left him

A woman's faith
A woman's trust and belief

In her man
In her significant other

If he's right or wrong
Regardless of his correctness or mistakes

Love is the answer
Love is the solution to any question

No matter what the question
Regardless of the nature of the inquiry

Love is the spirit
Love embodies a powerful force

That drives my intentions
That motivates and guides my actions

It's what I want
It is my desire

What I need
What is necessary for me

Everywhere
In every aspect

And everything
In all things

It's the music that I make
Love is the inspiration behind the music I create

Every breath that I take
Love is the essence of my existence

The power
Love possesses great strength

That shines a light
That illuminates

In a baby's eyes
In the eyes of an infant

The wisdom
The profound understanding

That beats your heart
That guides and directs your emotions

And keeps it right on time
And ensures it continues to beat rhythmically

I think I know
I believe I understand

What it is
The true essence of love

Talkin' 'bout love
Speaking about love

I need
I require

Love and happiness
Both love and joy

I got to have it
I must possess it

Way down inside
Deep within oneself

Woman you need
Lady, you also require

You got to have some love
You must experience love

Yes
Indeed

I know it's the spirit
I am aware that love is a powerful force

I said love is the reason why
I affirm that love is the underlying motive

So go and get some love
Therefore, seek and embrace love

I know what love is
I understand the essence of love

Writer(s): Ron Alan Cohen, Tommy Castro

Contributed by Arianna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@FJ1987

3y↑1

For those asking for the lyrics:

Love is the only reason
Sometimes I've got for keeping on
Love is the cure for my condition
When all hope seems gone

I know what love is
I think I know what love is

Love is a grown man crying
When he finds his woman gone
Love is a woman's faith in her man
If he's right or wrong

I know what love is
I think I know what love is

Love is the answer
No matter what the question
Love is the spirit
That drive my intention, oh yeah

It's what I want, what I need
Everywhere and everything
It's the music that I make
Every breath that I take

Love is the answer
No matter what the question
Love is the spirit
That drive my intention

Love is the power that shines a light
In a baby's eyes
Love is the wisdom that beat your heart
And keeps it right on time

I know what love is
I think I know what love is
I know what love is
I think I know what love is

I think I know (x2)
What it is
I'm talkin' about love (x2)
The love I need
Love and happiness
Cause what I want, it's what I need
I gotta have it
The woman you need
You gotta have some love
I know it's the spirit
As love is the reason why

I know what love is