In 2001, she released her first solo album, Stag. That year, she toured solo with the Butchies as her band. Then in 2005, her second solo project, Prom was released. In December of 2006, Amy released Live From Knoxville, a live recording from a show at Blue Cats in October of 2005. In August 2008 she released her latest album Didn't It Feel Kinder, this is the first album she made with the help of a producer, Greg Griffith.
All three albums were released on Amy's independent record label, Daemon Records.
Fans of the Indigo Girls can expect a rawer, punkier, and rockier sound.
Rodeo
Amy Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leavin' black marks on linoleum, a country song on the radio
I am just a rodeo calf with tender feet and sewn on horns and
Love is a kindness that I've never known before,
I've never known before
She say's "I'm bound to Carolina to join the kids in 'truth or dare'"
And she laughs and says its just a game when I tell her that I'm scared
Love is a kindness that I've never known before,
I've never known before
Make it last, make it stay
Can you hold on long enough to make this pay
She said," My daddy was a grifter and I was in my momma's way,
So I drifted for a while, because I could not stand to stay"
And she said, "Love is a kindness that I've never understood"
I said, "I'll give it to you willingly, its something you deserve,
Its something you deserve"
And I'll make it last, I'll make it stay
If you can hold on long enough I can make this pay
'Cause I am just a calf with tender feet and sewn on horns,
Love is a prize waitin' on her at the rodeo
In Amy Ray's song Rodeo, the singer describes a woman who comes from Carolina to visit him in Georgia. She dances across his kitchen floor, leaving black marks on the linoleum while a country song plays on the radio. The singer compares himself to a rodeo calf with tender feet and sewn-on horns, and explains that love is a kindness that he has never known before. The woman talks about playing "truth or dare" with her kids back home in Carolina, dismissing any fear the singer has, and he realizes that love is a new experience for her as well. She confides in him about her past, and he promises to give her the love that she deserves.
The lyrics of Rodeo touch on themes of vulnerability, fear, and the willingness to take a chance on love. The imagery of the rodeo and the cowboy metaphors reinforce these themes, with the singer comparing himself and the woman he loves to a calf and a prize at the rodeo. The use of black marks on linoleum as an image also adds to the sense of risk and adventure that the singer is experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
She comes down to Georgia to dance across my kitchen floor,
She visits Georgia to have a good time with me, leaving her footprints on my linoleum floors and listening to country music.
Leavin' black marks on linoleum, a country song on the radio
She dances so hard that she leaves marks on the linoleum, while we listen to country music on the radio.
I am just a rodeo calf with tender feet and sewn on horns and
I am weak and vulnerable like a rodeo calf, with fake horns and tender feet.
Love is a kindness that I've never known before,
I've never experienced such kindness and affection before.
I've never known before
This is an entirely new experience for me.
She say's "I'm bound to Carolina to join the kids in 'truth or dare'"
She is going to North Carolina to hang out with some kids and play a game called 'truth or dare'.
And she laughs and says its just a game when I tell her that I'm scared
When I express my fear over the situation, she laughs and says that it's just a harmless game.
I am just a dog waitin' at the kitchen door,
I am like a loyal and loving dog waiting for her to come home to me.
Love is a kindness that I've never known before,
I've never experienced such kindness and affection before.
I've never known before
This is an entirely new experience for me.
Make it last, make it stay
I want this relationship to last and endure.
Can you hold on long enough to make this pay
Are you willing and able to commit to making this relationship work?
She said," My daddy was a grifter and I was in my momma's way,
She tells me that her father was a conman and she was unwanted by her mother.
So I drifted for a while, because I could not stand to stay"
She lived a transient life because she couldn't bear to stay in one place for too long.
And she said, "Love is a kindness that I've never understood"
She confesses that she has never really grasped the concept of love and affection.
I said, "I'll give it to you willingly, its something you deserve,
I promise to give her love freely and generously, because she deserves it.
Its something you deserve"
She deserves to be loved and treated kindly.
And I'll make it last, I'll make it stay
I am committed to making this relationship work for the long term.
If you can hold on long enough I can make this pay
If she is willing to commit and endure, I believe our relationship will be rewarding and fulfilling.
'Cause I am just a calf with tender feet and sewn on horns,
I am weak and vulnerable like a rodeo calf, with fake horns and tender feet.
Love is a prize waitin' on her at the rodeo
Love is something valuable and worthwhile waiting for her to discover and enjoy in this world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DanCrowleyNYC
So beautiful! One of my favorite Amy songs. So used to hearing it on acoustic but it has such a haunting quality on electric. This was one of the first songs I learned when I got my first guitar right after Prom came out (though I had taught myself and played on others prior to that. But this song is very special.)
@dianabensm4482
I think this is by far, the best song that Amy has ever written! Way to go !