Music Notes

Pride and Joy

My seventeenth choice is an unmistakable rock classic from the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pride and Joy. Released in 1983, it was his debut single, showcasing the unique "Texas blues" guitar style which made him famous.

Mom often played this song as I was growing up. I knew very little of what he was saying, but I knew every riff by heart. Once years later, I heard a song in a thrift store somewhere, and I literally recognized the voice of his guitar. I think that was before I started taking copious notes about music, so I don't remember what other song of his it turned out to be that I'd never heard before, but it was indeed a Stevie Ray Vaughan song.

It always seemed to me to be more a song about a daughter than a lover, until I learned he was saying "I'm her little lover boy…" Someone on YouTube suggested it refers to his guitar, which I never considered before. That would make sense. I suppose it's more the kind of song where the (decent) lyrics don't matter as much as the sheer talent involved in its composition.

The riffs are complex and boisterous, almost rowdy: fun and energetic. I'm not the kind of person who usually dances to music, even my favorites, being more of a "close my eyes and dream" type. I wouldn't consider this a "dancing" sort of song, preferring to move, when I do, to a more well-defined beat and simpler melody. Sometimes, indeed, I dance to a song in my head rather than anything external… which usually means I invent choreography which is vaguely storytelling. Usually I only do that when I'm extremely bored and climbing the walls.

Words: 289.