About The Song
“The Guitar Man” is a popular song by the band Bread, from their 1972 album Guitar Man. The song is known for its blend of soft rock elements like strings, acoustic guitar, and wah-wah effect electric guitar. Larry Knechtel plays the electric guitar in the song. The song quickly became a commercial success, charting at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over a million copies worldwide.
The song’s lyrics depict a mystical figure, the “Guitar Man,” who captivates his audience with his talent and on-stage presence. The Guitar Man is a symbol of a musician whose music evokes a range of emotions among his fans, from love to sorrow. The song’s haunting melody and simple yet insightful lyrics have contributed to its enduring appeal.
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Lyrics
Who draws the crowd and plays so loud, baby, it’s the guitar man
Who’s gonna steal the show, you know, baby, it’s the guitar man
He can make you love, he can make you cry
He will bring you down and he’ll get you high
Somethin’ keeps him goin’ miles and miles a day
To find another place to play
Night after night, who treats you right, baby, it’s the guitar man
Who’s on the radio, you go and listen to the guitar man
Then he comes to town and you see his face
And you think you might like to take his place
Somethin’ keeps him driftin’ miles and miles away
Searching for the songs to play
Then you listen to the music and you like to sing along
You want to get the meaning out of each and every song
Then you find yourself a message and some words to call your own and take ’em home
He can make you love, he can get you high
He will bring you down, then he’ll make, make you cry
Somethin’ keeps him movin’, but no one seems to know
What it is that makes him go
Then the lights begin to flicker and the sound is getting dim
The voice begins to falter and the crowds are getting thin
But he never seems to notice, he’s just got to find another place to play
Fade away
Got to play
Fade away
Got to play