Buddy Guy and Switchfoot go toe-to-toe on their new blues-rock stomper Last Man Standing — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
You might not expect the blues legend and the Grammy-winning rock band to have a lot in common, but they get along just fine on this raw, bare-knuckle barnburner. Guy brings his unmistakable commanding vocals and volcanic fretrwork. Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman shares the mic while his bandmates deliver a thundering backing track that wields the hammer of the gods. Toss in some stylishly gritty, compressed production by Foreman and veteran studio master Tom Hambridge and the result is a fiery track that unites sounds, styles and generations, keeping one foot in blues tradition and the other in today’s sonic and stylistic world.
Clearly, it’s a collaboration unlike anything they’ve done before. It’s a meeting of two musical forces — one a pioneering icon, the other a band unafraid to push boundaries. The track, now available alongside an official visualizer, is also released in Dolby Atmos, delivering an immersive listening experience across all digital platforms.
“Buddy Guy was the blues legend that taught me how to play the guitar,” shares Foreman. “I remember watching him live as a teenager and being completely transformed. I wanted this song to be something worthy of the man who helped shape my musical journey. Buddy, thanks for joining our band for a tune. Bigger than that — thanks for teaching me how to play.”
A torchbearer of the Chicago blues sound, Guy is one of the last living links to the genre’s golden era. With a career spanning over seven decades, Guy has influenced guitar icons like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and eight-time Grammy winner, Guy continues to shape the future of blues while carrying its deep-rooted traditions.
Last Man Standing encapsulates that legacy — gruff, unrelenting and steeped in lived experience. The lyrics paint a picture of survival and perseverance, delivered with the unmistakable conviction of two artists who understand the weight of time. “I’ve seen kings reduced to thieves, I’ve seen the writing on the wall. I’ve seen the great walls crumble, I’ve watched the nations fall.” The song reflects on life’s unpredictability and the resilience required to endure, culminating in the powerful refrain: “None of this is how I planned it, but I’m the last man standing.”
Producer and co-writer Hambridge, known for his work with countless legends and icons, describes the song as a rare fusion of worlds. “Switchfoot and Buddy Guy together. Two of my favorites,” he says. “We had a ball writing and recording this unique collaboration. I think the fun we had producing it shines through on the record.”
Celebrating over 20 years since their breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown, Switchfoot have pushed the boundaries of their sound, from alternative rock anthems to introspective acoustic projects. Their latest creative ventures include reimagining the aforementioned classic in The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) Deluxe Edition, a tribute to the album that launched them into the mainstream. With over 10 million albums sold, a Grammy and a global reputation for their emotionally charged performances, Switchfoot continue to evolve. Last Man Standing is a testament to their fearless approach — an unexpected but seamless fusion of their rock roots with the soul of the blues.
Watch the lyric video for Last Man Standing above, stream it on your preferred service HERE, and hear more from both Buddy Guy and Switchfoot below.
