Growing up, her parents played songs by the Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd, so her country rock roots started early, and she was already taking piano lesson before she turned seven. At age 11, she won a talent contest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (home of Dolly Parton's resort "Dollywood"), singing "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart." She subsequently found steady work performing in a theater in Pigeon Forge. A couple year later, her father gave Monroe her first guitar, and she began writing her own songs. But tragedy struck when her father died from cancer in 2000. While still grieving over their loss, Monroe and her mother continued on with their lives and moved to Nashville so she could pursue her career in music.
After a year in Nashville, she gained a publishing deal as a songwriter, which led to a record contract with Columbia Records' Nashville division. Working with producer Mark Wright, she recorded her debut album, Satisfied. In 2006, the title track to the album was released as the first single to country radio, but failed to crack the top 40 on the Hot Country Songs chart. A second single, "I Don't Want To" featuring Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, followed shortly after. Initially it did well on the charts, charting to #37, but following the merger of Columbia and Sony, the label decided not to release the album until Monroe charted a top 20 single. No follow-up singles were ever released. iTunes briefly made the album available for download in July 2006 but it was removed from the online store by mid-August.
In late 2007, Monroe and Columbia Records parted ways, and Satisfied was shelved (it was eventually released digitally in May of 2009). In addition to her own material, she co-wrote Katrina Elam's 2007 single "Flat on the Floor" (which was also recorded by Carrie Underwood on her 2007 album Carnival Ride), as well as Jason Aldean's 2009 single, "The Truth", and Miranda Lambert's 2011 single, "Heart Like Mine."
Monroe continued collaborating with Lambert, forming Pistol Annies with Lambert and Angaleena Presley in 2011. They released the single "Hell on Heels" in May of that year, following up with an album of the same name in August. Hell on Heels debuted at number 1 on Billboard's Country Album Chart and reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 Chart.
Monroe next teamed up with producer Vince Gill, and on March 5, 2013, Warner Nashville released Monroe's second studio album, Like A Rose.
On to Something Good
Ashley Monroe Lyrics
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And so the story goes
Hell, i've been one of those worn and faded by the rain
Days are gonna fly
Draw lines around your eyes
It'll make you bitter, or it'll make you wise
It's coming either way
Lost and found, i'm better dancing when I don't look down
Hard times roll up but they don't hang around
I feel like i'm on to something good
I'm better moving on than going back
I'll ride this train till it runs out of track
I feel like i'm on to something, something, something
I can't tell you how or where i'm heading now
But, the winding of the road is steadying my soul
Feels like i'm coming home
Oh yeah
It's in the wind that's blowing, it's in the red wine
Life's got it's way of showing when it's the right time
Lost and found, i'm better dancing when I don't look down
Hard times roll up but they don't hang around
I feel like i'm on to something good
I'm better moving on than going back
I'll ride this train till it runs out of track
I feel like i'm on to something, something, something
Ooh something, something
Ooh something, something
Lost and found, i'm better dancing when I don't look down
Hard times roll up but they don't hang around
I feel like i'm on to something good
I'm better moving on than going back
Yeah, i'll ride this train till it runs out of track
I feel like i'm on to something, something, something
Oh I feel like i'm on
Oooh something, something
Feel like I'm onto something
Ooh something, something
The lyrics of "On To Something Good" by Ashley Monroe convey a message of hope and perseverance amidst life's ups and downs. The opening lines suggest that like wheels, humans need to keep moving in order to avoid rust and stagnation. The singer speaks from personal experience of being worn down by the rain but refusing to give up. The chorus is an anthem of positivity, declaring that the singer feels like she's on the right path despite not knowing where it's leading. The imagery of dancing without looking down suggests that the singer is living in the present moment, not worrying about the future or past. The repeated "something, something" in the final lines could reflect the idea that it's not necessary to know exactly what the future holds, only that it feels promising.
The bridge of the song references the wind and red wine as symbols of the unpredictability of life. The winding road could be life's journey, and the steady soul suggests that the singer is finding her footing. The idea of feeling like coming home is evocative of a sense of belonging or finding one's place in the world. The overall message is one of hope and optimism, encouraging listeners to keep moving forward no matter what obstacles arise.
Line by Line Meaning
Wheels are gonna rust if they don't turn enough,
If you don't use something enough, it will start to deteriorate.
And so the story goes
This is a common occurrence and a well-known fact.
Hell, i've been one of those worn and faded by the rain
I have experienced this personally, feeling worn out and battered by life's challenges.
Days are gonna fly
Time passes quickly.
Draw lines around your eyes
Stress and worry can cause wrinkles and age you prematurely.
It'll make you bitter, or it'll make you wise
How we handle stress can either sour us or strengthen us.
It's coming either way
Challenges and hard times will happen, whether we like it or not.
Lost and found, i'm better dancing when I don't look down
I am more successful and confident when I don't second-guess myself.
Hard times roll up but they don't hang around
Difficulties arise but they are temporary, and eventually, things will get better.
I feel like i'm on to something good
I have a good feeling about my current direction and what the future holds for me.
I'm better moving on than going back
It's better to keep moving forward than to dwell on the past and things that cannot be changed.
I'll ride this train till it runs out of track
I will keep going until I can't go any further.
I can't tell you how or where i'm heading now
I don't know what the future holds, but that's okay.
But, the winding of the road is steadying my soul
The journey itself is helping me find peace and happiness.
Feels like i'm coming home
I feel comfortable and content with where I am right now.
It's in the wind that's blowing, it's in the red wine
There are signs all around me that I am heading in the right direction, almost like the universe is confirming it for me.
Life's got it's way of showing when it's the right time
Things will fall into place when the timing is right, as if there's a plan or a universal force guiding us.
Ooh something, something
I have a strong feeling that good things are about to happen.
Yeah, i'll ride this train till it runs out of track
I am committed to this path, and I will stick with it until it no longer serves me.
Oh I feel like i'm on
I am filled with excitement and anticipation for what is to come.
Feel like I'm onto something
I am confident that I am heading in the right direction, and good things are about to happen.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUKE ROBERT LAIRD, BARRY GEORGE DEAN, ASHLEY LAUREN MONROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind