Hideaway is more than just a song; it’s a rite of passage for blues guitarists. For me, discovering “Hideaway” was a pivotal moment, a gateway into the world of the Three Kings and their distinct styles. It stands out as one of the first true blues songs I dedicated myself to learning, a journey of self-teaching that began roughly 12 years ago.
During that time, I was fortunate to work with a guitar instructor from Berklee School of Music. When I played “Hideaway” for him, his initial reaction was positive. He acknowledged my playing ability, particularly noting the effective use of pull-offs to open strings – a technique that truly feels like getting “two notes for the price of one!” However, his expert ear caught nuances I had overlooked. He pointed out that the 9th chords in the later part of the song, with their unique shape, needed refinement. He mentioned that my rendition differed from Freddie King’s original approach, suggesting that I was playing it more in the style of Clapton or SRV. He clarified that Freddie King’s version was actually “the easy way.”
Initially, I felt a pang of insult. I believed I was capturing the essence of the song. To better understand the nuances, we listened to Clapton’s version from the Beano album and then SRV’s interpretations. Subsequently, we watched a later video of Clapton where he played “Hideaway” in a style much closer to Freddie King’s, emphasizing the pull-offs. This experience was eye-opening, highlighting the different approaches to the same blues classic.
“Hideaway Song” is undeniably fun to play, albeit with its share of challenging sections. I encourage every aspiring blues guitarist to explore the versions by these three giants – the Three Kings. For me, the most striking difference between their renditions lies in how they handle the rhythm parts, particularly the boogie sections. Once you grasp the initial segments of “Hideaway,” a sense of accomplishment washes over you. You genuinely feel like a bluesman, channeling the spirit of Freddie King, who co-wrote and originally performed it. There’s ample time to add your own flair and embellishments later on. For now, just dive in and enjoy the raw energy of “Hideaway.” It’s an absolute blast to play.
