Gary Moore began playing the blues in Belfast clubs at the age of fourteen. But from the end of the seventies, a period of hard rock began in his work, which lasted about ten years. That stage cannot be called unsuccessful, but the musician felt that he was not doing what he would like.
One day, bass player Bob Daisley, listening to Moore acting out before a concert, advised him to record a blues album. This idea materialized in the form of the excellent LP Still Got the Blues, the title track of which became perhaps Gary’s most famous song.
The story of creation and the meaning of the song Still Got the Blues (For You)
Unfortunately, it was not possible to find an interview with Moore in which he would recall the sources of inspiration and work on the work. So we have to be content with only a few facts about Still Got the Blues (For You).
While recording the song, Moore played a 1959 Les Paul Standard purchased from a London record store in 1989. Here’s what he had to say about her to readers of Vintage Guitar magazine:
Then I put it away, because I was still playing hard rock, and she was not good for that. But when it came to [альбома] Still Got the Blues, I brought it into the studio to test the room. On the first day we recorded [песню] Still Got the Blues in one go, from start to finish. It was a truly exciting day. I will never forget him.
The song was released as the second single from the album. In February 1991, she reached number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Allegations of plagiarism
At the end of 2008, a process took place in Munich at which Gary Moore was found guilty of plagiarism. The court ruled that he borrowed the guitar solo from Still Got the Blues from the German rock band Jud’s Gallery. We are talking about her instrumental composition Nordrach (after the name of the river in the Black Forest), recorded in 1974.
Moore claimed that he had never heard the song before, but was forced to pay Jurgen Winter, leader of the Jud’s Gallery, some amount. Admittedly, the main riff from Still Got the Blues is really very similar to the solo from Nordrach (listen at about the sixth minute).
Video Still Got the Blues (For You)
Now let’s look at the video clip for the famous song Still Got the Blues, which was presented to the world by Gary Moore.
Cover versions
Eric Clapton recorded a cover version of Still Got the Blues for the album Old Sock (2013).
Interesting Facts
- The phrase “still got the blues for you” literally translates to “I still have the blues for you”, but in context it means “still missing you”.
- Still Got the Blues is the only Gary Moore song to reach the top 100 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Still Got the Blues Lyrics by Gary Moore
Used to be so easy to give my heart away
But I found out the hard way
There’s a price you have to pay
I found out that love was no friend of mine
I should have known time after time
chorus:
So long, it was so long ago
But I’ve still got the blues for you
Used to be so easy to fall in love again
But I found out the hard way
It’s a road that leads to pain
I found that love was more than just a game
You’re playin’ to win, but you lose just the same
So many years since I’ve seen your face
Here in my heart, there’s an empty space
Where you used to be
Though the days come and go
There is one thing I know
I’ve still got the blues for you
Still Got the Blues Lyrics Alternative
It used to be so easy to give your heart away
But I learned that it can be hard
Everything has to be paid
I learned that love is not my friend
I had to make sure this time after time
Chorus:
So long, it’s been so long
But I still yearn for you
It used to be so easy to fall in love again
But I learned that it can be hard
This is the road that leads to pain
I learned that love is more than just a game
You play to win but still lose
It’s been so many years since I’ve seen your face
Here in my heart there is a void
where you were
Though day after day goes by
One thing I know for sure:
I still yearn for you
