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Lyr Req: Who Do You Love? (Bo Diddley)

20 Dec 97 - 06:54 PM (#18005)
Subject: Lyric Req:
From: iridtacw@ssimicro.com

I've been looking for the lyics to the song that goes "I walk 47 miles of barbed wire, got a cobra snake for a necktie" etc. Who wrote that one? I'd like to get a guitar tab as well.

Phil


20 Dec 97 - 07:00 PM (#18007)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Sheye

I never know all the intimate details, but this is a George Thourogood tune. Think it's called Who Do You Love.

Happy Hunting! Sheye


20 Dec 97 - 09:23 PM (#18012)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: chet w

It was originally from Texas blueskicker Ronnie Hawkins, whose band, the Hawks, at one time included most of the members of The Band. You can hear and see it on the movie, the Last Waltz, which was a documentary about The Band and a film of their last concert. Who Do You Love is indeed the title.

Chet W.


21 Dec 97 - 05:02 PM (#18032)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Earl

"Who Do You Love" was written by Bo Diddley. His version is still the best.


21 Dec 97 - 06:43 PM (#18038)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Phillip Hawke

Thanks everyone. I found the lyrics, but no guitar tab yet. I'll keep looking. And now I have a second question for the blues musicians here: What's the best way to play this song just as mean and nasty as the words. I'd like to add it to my repertoire on the electric guitar, but I wonder, how would a guy with a "chimney made out of human skulls" (yikes!) play his guitar? Can anyone offer me any tips: chord voicings? evil bends? banshee whails? "disturbing" rhythms? Any and all assistance is appreciated.

Phil


22 Dec 97 - 08:34 AM (#18056)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Earl

Get a copy of Bo Diddley's original. Definitely rhythm driven and he was a wild guitar player in those days. Tom Rush did a slightly "folkier" version but I think that's been out of print for a while.


22 Dec 97 - 11:52 AM (#18076)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Frank in the swamps

Someone played a cd for me several years ago by a bluesman named Hound Dog Taylor, left me thinking that George Thoroughgood is as complete and shameless a blues thief as Eric Clapton. I think it had this song. In any event, you should check it out Philip, his guitar sounds so mean you'd think he's using a bloody straight razor for a slide.

Frank I.T.S.


22 Dec 97 - 12:20 PM (#18079)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Jon W.

John Hammond also recorded this song on his album "Footloose" (?) I believe he plays it on a National resonator guitar. His frantic and powerful style of picking sets a mean tone for an "accoustic" rendition.

Frank, your opinion of George Thoroughgood is essentially correct IMHO.


22 Dec 97 - 12:24 PM (#18080)
Subject: RE: Lyric Req:
From: Mountain Dog

Dear Philip,

Frank's got a great idea, and not just for the sake of the Bo Diddley cover he mentioned. ANYTHING by Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers is well worth having and listening to frequently. I know you can find most of his work on Bruce Iglauer's venerable "Alligator Records" label out of Chicago.

Another screaming slide guitar master from the Windy City who knew how to play it low down and mean was the late, lamented J.B. Hutto. He was a disciple of Elmore James and blazed away in a fashion that would have made his mentor proud. Look for him under his own name or in combination with his band, the Hawks. Sorry, I don't recall record labels for him at the moment.