Gill was born in Norman, Oklahoma, the home of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and learned to play several instruments, including banjo and guitar before he started high school at Oklahoma City's Northwest Classen High School. After he graduated, he played in a number of bluegrass bands. He debuted on the national scene with the country-rock band Pure Prairie League in 1979, appearing on that band's album Can't Hold Back. Gill is the lead singer on their hit song, "Let Me Love You Tonight" (1980), which he was still performing in concert years later - thus, he said, confusing many fans who knew him only from his subsequent solo work. Gill appeared on two subsequent albums along with his then-wife Janis Oliver.
Departing Pure Prairie League in 1981, Gill joined Rodney Crowell’s backing band The Notorious Cherry Bombs, where he met and worked with Tony Brown and Emory Gordy Jr., both of whom would later produce many of his future solo albums.
Signing as a solo artist with RCA Records in 1983, he first charted while on that label. In 1989 he switched to MCA Records where he recorded his breakthrough hit "When I Call Your Name." His 1998 album The Key received great critical acclaim. His other albums include Next Big Thing (2003) and Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye (2000). The Guitar Slinger Songfacts says that Gill released his twelfth studio album, Guitar Slinger, on October 25, 2011 via MCA Nashville. It was his manager, Larry Fitzgerald, who came up with the title, as he felt there was something different the way Gill was playing the guitar on the record.
Gill hosted the CMA Awards every year from 1992 to 2003. In 2004 he received a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. In 1997, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He married country singer Janis Oliver (of Sweethearts of the Rodeo fame) in 1980. The couple have one daughter, Jennifer Jerene Gill, born 5 May 1982. Vince and Janis separated in the mid-1990s and eventually divorced in June 1998. Vince later began dating and eventually married Christian/pop singer Amy Grant in March of 2000. They have one daughter, Corrina Grant Gill born 12 March 2001.
Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler was a fan of Gill's, and had asked Gill to join the band full time. Gill turned down the invitation but did sing backup on one song ("The Bug") from Dire Straits' album On Every Street.
Gill has also sung duets with numerous artists, including Dolly Parton ("I Will Always Love You"), Reba McEntire ("Oklahoma Swing," "The Heart Won't Lie," "It Just Has to Be That Way"), Amy Grant ("House of Love"), and Barbra Streisand ("If You Ever Leave Me"); his other credits as a backup vocalist have included "Girls With Guitars" by Wynonna Judd (written by Mary-Chapin Carpenter, who, coincidentally, had a country hit with her cover of "The Bug") and "Nothing Left Behind Us" by Richard Marx.
This Old Guitar And Me
Vince Gill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the things that we've been through
C.F. Martin built him
Back in nineteen forty-two
I remember when we met
I was only seventeen
I spent all my college moneyOn a half a dozen strings
I thought my folks would kill me
I found out I was wrong
They said your future's written on your face
When you sing those travelin' songs
So we headed for Kentucky
With a suitcase full of dreams
My rough-out books, a few T-shirts
A worn out pair of jeans, ooh
This old guitar and me
We spent a lot of nights alone
Well, sometimes we'd get lucky
And take bar maid home
One night stands for breakfast
Two strangers with the blues
We'd wake up in the morning
And both feel a little used
Well, home was just a highway
We'd roam from town to town
Just me and that old flattop
Not caring where we're bound
From Maine to California
With a five piece travelin' band
Singin' songs about the hard times
That face the common man, ooh
This old guitar and me
Lord, we did the best we could
One was born a sinner
And one a piece of wood
God sent a wooden angel
To guide me on my way
We were meant to be together
Until my dyin' day
Well, now my dearest old companion
Lies underneath my bed
Well, our travelin' days are over
Man, but the memories fill my head
Well, I've settled with my family
Here in the hills of Tennessee
To teach my children's children
'Bout this old guitar and me, ooh
The song "This Old Guitar And Me" by Vince Gill is a heartwarming tribute to a guitar that became a constant companion to the singer throughout his life of traveling, performing, and growing up. The lyrics are filled with nostalgia as Gill remembers his first encounter with the instrument at the age of seventeen and the sacrifices he had to make to pursue his dream of becoming a musician. With strains of wisdom and humor, it talks about the memories and experiences he shared with the guitar, from one-night stands and rough times to the joy of music and the pleasure of entertaining.
The song begins with the singer introducing the guitar built by C.F. Martin in 1942, stating the things he and the guitar have been through together. He reminisces about the days when he was just starting out and the efforts he had to make to pursue his dream, including spending all his college money on a half a dozen strings. Despite the challenges, Gill continued to play and travel with his guitar, facing unknown dangers and always on the move.
As they toured the country, Gill and his guitar experienced highs and lows, one-night stands and nights spent alone, visiting many towns from Maine to California. Yet they were always together, the guitar became a constant companion, providing solace, joy, and a connection to his audience. Along the way, he met an angel who guided him on his way and introduced him to his future family.
The song ends with a sense of gratitude and contentment. Gill notes that these traveling days are over, and he has settled with his family in the hills of Tennessee. He reflects on the past with fondness and is ready to pass the lessons he learned and the joy of music to his children's children.
● Vince Gill wrote and performed the song, "This Old Guitar And Me," on his album, I Still Believe in You, in 1992.
● The guitar that inspired the song is a 1942 CF Martin that Vince Gill bought in 1970
● The song was inspired by his bond with the guitar and the years of performing with it.
● It took Vince Gill four years to write the song, and it was one of the last songs he recorded for the I Still Believe in You album.
● The song received positive reviews from critics and was considered one of Gill's best works at the time.
● Vince Gill has performed the song many times live and featured it prominently in his career.
● This song was a huge commercial success for Vince Gill, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
● The song was re-released on a compilation album of Vince Gill in 2007.
● The lyrics have been interpreted as a tribute to the music industry and the bond between artists and their instruments.
Key: E
Verse 1:
E
This old guitar and me
B
And the things that we've been through
A E
C.F. Martin built him
B E
Back in nineteen forty-two
Verse 2:
E
I remember when we met
B
I was only seventeen
A E
I spent all my college money
B E
On a half a dozen strings
Chorus:
A
This old guitar and me
E
We spent a lot of nights alone
B
Well, sometimes, we'd get lucky
E
And take a bar maid home
Verse 3:
E
Well, now my dearest old companion
B
Lies underneath my bed
A E
Well, our traveling days are over
B E
Man, but the memories fill my head
Chorus:
A
This old guitar and me
E
Lord, we did the best we could
B
One was born a sinner
E
And one a piece of wood
Line by Line Meaning
This old guitar and me
The singer and his guitar have been through a lot together
And the things that we've been through
The singer and his guitar have had many experiences during their time together
C.F. Martin built him
The guitar was built by C.F. Martin
Back in nineteen forty-two
The guitar was built in 1942
I remember when we met
The artist remembers when he first met the guitar
I was only seventeen
The singer was 17 years old when he met the guitar
I spent all my college money
The singer spent his college money on buying strings for the guitar
On a half a dozen strings
He spent his money on six guitar strings
I thought my folks would kill me
The artist was worried his parents would be angry about how he spent his money
I found out I was wrong
His parents didn't get mad at him
They said your future's written on your face
His parents believe that your destiny is determined by your attitude and outlook on life
When you sing those travelin' songs
The parents recognized the artist's potential as a singer-songwriter
So we headed for Kentucky
The singer and his guitar went to Kentucky
With a suitcase full of dreams
They had high hopes and aspirations for the future
My rough-out books, a few T-shirts
The singer took some basic items when leaving home
A worn out pair of jeans, ooh
The artist wore old jeans when he left home
We spent a lot of nights alone
The artist and his guitar had many nights by themselves
Well, sometimes we'd get lucky
Sometimes good things happened to them
And take bar maid home
The singer and his guitar would hook up with women in bars
One night stands for breakfast
The artist and his guitar had sexual encounters with strangers but didn't see them again
Two strangers with the blues
Both parties involved felt sad afterwards
We'd wake up in the morning
The day after their encounter
And both feel a little used
Both parties felt like the other took something from them
Well, home was just a highway
The artist and his guitar didn't have a permanent home
We'd roam from town to town
They traveled from one place to another
Singin' songs about the hard times
The songs they sang were about the difficulties in life
That face the common man, ooh
The struggles that everyday people face
Lord, we did the best we could
The artist tried their best with what they had
One was born a sinner
The artist and his guitar are not perfect
And one a piece of wood
The guitar is made of wood
God sent a wooden angel
The singer feels like his guitar is a gift from God
To guide me on my way
The artist feels like the guitar has helped him throughout his life
We were meant to be together
The artist was destined to be with his guitar
Until my dyin' day
The artist plans to be with his guitar until he dies
Well, now my dearest old companion
The guitar is the singer's closest friend
Lies underneath my bed
The artist keeps the guitar under his bed
Well, our travelin' days are over
The singer and his guitar have stopped traveling
Man, but the memories fill my head
The singer has many good memories with his guitar
Well, I've settled with my family
The singer has a family now
Here in the hills of Tennessee
They live in Tennessee
To teach my children's children
The artist wants his descendants to know about his guitar
'Bout this old guitar and me, ooh
The singer wants to pass on the stories and lessons learned with his guitar
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Vincent Grant Gill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alfa00718
This old guitar and me
And the things that we've been through
C.F. Martin built him
Back in nineteen forty-two
I remember when we met
I was only seventeen
I spent all my college money
On a half a dozen strings
I thought my folks would kill me
I found out I was wrong
They said your future's written on your face
When you sing those travelin' songs
So we headed for Kentucky
With a suitcase full of dreams
My rough-out books, a few T-shirts
A worn out pair of jeans, ooh
This old guitar and me
We spent a lot of nights alone
Well, sometimes we'd get lucky
And take bar maid home
One night stands for breakfast
Two strangers with the blues
We'd wake up in the morning
And both feel a little used
Well, home was just a highway
We'd roam from town to town
Just me and that old flattop
Not caring where we're bound
From Maine to California
With a five piece travelin' band
Singin' songs about the hard times
That face the common man, ooh
This old guitar and me
Lord, we did the best we could
One was born a sinner
And one a piece of wood
God sent a wooden angel
To guide me on my way
We were meant to be together
Until my dyin' day
Well, now my dearest old companion
Lies underneath my bed
Well, our travelin' days are over
Man, but the memories fill my head
Well, I've settled with my family
Here in the hills of Tennessee
To teach my children's children
'Bout this old guitar and me, ooh
@bigal25938
So much great music produced so simply.
@old513fpv5
Got to see him play this live at the Grand Ole. No, you were crying.
@marionparton662
Wow - first time hearing this - love the song, love Vince Gill's voice ! He's a troubadour for the ages 💖
@StevetheBalladeer
Vince Gill is simply OUTSTANDING!!!!! The Lord has blest him and I just love his music!!!
@ovationpdh
He is the real deal, what a talented artist.
@tituslee83
Awesome song, what a great artist and person Vince is. I just recently discovered how great he is with a guitar, and how much of a ambassador he is for classic and rare guitars also. I've always just knew him as the guy who sang Go Rest High on that Mountain, and the song When I Called your Name. But I've learned he's much more than that. One of the greatest!!!
@mikeconroy1173
the best.. If i could sing like anyone-- it would be Vince
@jameymurphy1024
Great song Vince. I have an old acoustic guitar I've had for forty years. It's not a Martin but every song I've written with exception of Gone Fishin I have written on that guitar. It is like an old friend, always there when I need it. God Bless You Vince, you are an inspiration to me and countless other artists chasing a dream.
@jeffreydawson3020
He isn’t even trying and is blowing me away
@StevetheBalladeer
Vince Gill simply sparkles every time he plays and sings! He's a gift from God!!