“Guitar Man” is more than just a catchy tune in Elvis Presley’s vast repertoire; it’s a song steeped in musical authenticity and personal connection. Penned by the legendary Jerry Reed, this track wasn’t merely covered by the King; it was embodied by him, largely thanks to Reed’s distinctive guitar prowess. The story behind “Guitar Man” lyrics reveals a fascinating intersection of talent, chance, and the genuine respect Elvis held for fellow musicians.
The genesis of Elvis’s rendition of “Guitar Man” is rooted in his admiration for Jerry Reed’s original sound. As Reed recounted to the Tennessean newspaper, a call from Felton Jarvis, Elvis’s producer, came while he was fishing. Elvis was in the studio, struggling to capture the essence of “Guitar Man” as it sounded on Reed’s own record. In Reed’s words, “Elvis is down here. We’ve been trying to cut ‘Guitar Man’ all day long. He wants it to sound like it sounded on your album.” The solution was clear: bring in the “Guitar Man” himself. Reed explained his unique playing style, stating, “Well, if you want it to sound like that, you’re going have to get me in there to play guitar, because these guys [you’re using in the studio] are straight pickers. I pick with my fingers and tune that guitar up all weird kind of ways.”
This anecdote highlights a crucial aspect of “Guitar Man”: Jerry Reed’s signature guitar technique. Reed was renowned for his fingerstyle guitar playing, a technique where the strings are plucked directly with the fingers or fingernails, rather than a pick. This, combined with his unique and unconventional guitar tunings, created a sound that was instantly recognizable and difficult to replicate. Studio musicians, accustomed to standard picking techniques, were unable to capture the authentic “Guitar Man” feel that Elvis desired, underscoring Reed’s exceptional skill and the integral role of his guitar in the song’s identity.
The recording session for “Guitar Man” took place on September 10, 1967, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. This session was productive, also yielding another notable track, “Big Boss Man.” “Guitar Man” was eventually featured on the soundtrack album for the Elvis movie Clambake. This period in 1967 was a significant one for Elvis, both personally and professionally, marking his marriage to Priscilla Presley in May of that year.
Delving into the “Guitar Man” song lyrics themselves reveals a classic narrative of perseverance and the pursuit of a musical dream. The lyrics tell the story of a determined musician who leaves his mundane job at a car wash to chase his passion. “Well, I quit my job down at the car wash, Left my mama a goodbye note,” the song begins, immediately establishing the protagonist’s resolve. He embarks on a journey, “hitchhiked all the way down to Memphis,” guitar in tow, seeking his break. The lyrics poignantly depict the struggles of a musician facing rejection: “Well, I thought my pickin’ would set ’em on fire, But nobody wanted to hire a guitar man.”
The song chronicles his journey through various locations – Memphis, Macon, Panama City, Mobile – each verse painting a picture of his relentless pursuit despite facing hardship and repeated setbacks. He experiences hunger (“Well, I nearly ’bout starved to death down in Memphis”), sleeps rough (“So I slept in the hobo jungles”), but never gives up on his dream. The turning point arrives in Mobile, Alabama, at a club called Big Jack’s. Here, he finally gets his chance, joining a band and proving his talent: “I showed ’em what a band would sound like, With a swingin’ little guitar man.” The song culminates in his triumph, leading a five-piece band and captivating audiences along the Gulf of Mexico, a testament to his unwavering dedication.
Elvis & Priscilla Married May 1, 1967
Interestingly, “Guitar Man” also features a unique “TV-special verse,” specifically created for Elvis’s iconic ’68 Comeback Special. This verse adds another layer of meaning, reflecting on Elvis’s own career trajectory. “Well, I came a long way from the carwash, Got to where I said I’d get,” these lines resonate with Elvis’s own journey to stardom and perhaps his feeling of needing to “get back on track” at that pivotal point in his career. The verse reinforces the theme of never looking back and embracing one’s true identity: “I’ll never be more than what I am, Wouldn’t you know I’ m a swinging little Guitar man.”
Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley
“Guitar Man” stands as a vibrant example of Elvis Presley’s ability to connect with and interpret songs that resonated with his own experiences and musical sensibilities. It’s a celebration of musical passion, perseverance, and the unique talent of a “guitar man,” both in the lyrical narrative and in the real-life collaboration between Elvis and Jerry Reed. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its relatable story, catchy melody, and the undeniable charisma Elvis brought to every performance. Explore the “Guitar Man Song Lyrics” today and rediscover this gem in Elvis’s legendary catalog.
