Between the potency of his incredibly deep songwriting, his soulful vocals and his subtle, expert guitar work, New Orleans’ Osborne is a true musical treasure. He is among the most original and visionary musicians writing and performing today. OffBeat magazine named Osborne as the Crescent City’s Best Roots Rock Artist and declared him the city’s Best Guitarist for two years straight. Guitar Player calls him “the poet laureate of Louisiana’s fertile roots music scene.”
Since the release of his 2010 Alligator Records debut, American Patchwork and his 2012 follow-up, Black Eye Galaxy, Osborne has earned hordes of new fans. He has toured virtually non-stop, either with his road-tested trio, as a solo artist, or as a guest with his countless musical admirers, including Toots And The Maytals, Stanton Moore, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Keb Mo, and The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh. He’s appeared on Galactic’s song “Dark Water” from their Ya-Ka-May album, and in 2011 produced and played on critically acclaimed albums by Tab Benoit, Johnny Sansone and Mike Zito. In late 2012, Osborne recorded his new six-song EP, Three Free Amigos, a semi-acoustic collection cut in a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere, with friends joining him in various combinations, creating true musical magic. According to Osborne, the way this EP was recorded “is not what I usually do. I may never do it again. I wanted to keep it loose and give fans something different.”
Three Free Amigos, produced by Osborne and Warren Riker, features six Osborne originals, ranging from the road-diary reminiscence of the title track to the Bo Diddley-flavored “Jealous Love” to the reggae-rocking “Marmalade” to the warmly philosophical “We Move On.” Osborne examines love’s healing power and strength on “It’s Gonna Be OK” (previously recorded by Theresa Andersson) and offers profoundly simple advice in “Never Is A Real Long Time.” He is backed on some tracks by his road band—bassist Carl Dufrene[/bandmamber] and drummer Eric Bolivar—and on others he’s joined by friends Michael Burkhart on Hammond B3 organ, Johnny Sansone on harmonica and accordion, Billy Iuso on acoustic guitar and Maggie Koerne on background vocals. A few songs from the improvisational recording sessions even feature Osborne playing bass and drums.
Since his recording debut in 1989, Osborne has written virtually all of his own material and contributed memorable songs to a wide variety of artists. Two tunes co-written by Osborne appear on Keb Mo’s Grammy-winning 1999 release Slow Down. Country superstar Tim McGraw scored a #1 hit with Anders’ song “Watch The Wind Blow By.” Osborne’s compositions have been covered by artists as diverse as Brad Paisley, Tab Benoit, Jonny Lang and Kim Carnes. His song “What’s Going On Here” appeared in the 1996 feature film Fled, and Osborne, along with Ivan Neville, wrote and recorded the title track for the 2010 Kate Hudson film Earthbound. He can also be seen performing in a recent episode of HBO’s New Orleans-based drama Treme.
When Osborne planted his roots in New Orleans almost 30 years ago, he could not have realized that he would become one of the city’s favorite sons. He was born in Uddevalla, Sweden in 1966. With a love of music, a knack for the guitar and a serious case of wanderlust, Anders began traveling on his own at 16. He wrote constantly, soaking up life experience and honing his craft. In 1985, after landing in New York with only five dollars in his pocket, Osborne hitchhiked to New Orleans to meet up with a friend. “Once I got to New Orleans, everything I heard in my head—the music, the way people treated each other—was happening. I knew I was home.” He naturally absorbed the spirit of the Crescent City into his soul, as he was fully embraced by the city’s vibrant music community. “I just knew I was where I was supposed to be,” Osborne says.
Anders spent his first few years in New Orleans writing and developing his sound and style, all the while continuing to soak up the music of the city. He cut his first two albums for the independent New Orleans-based Rabadash Records in 1989 and 1993. The excitement surrounding those releases led to a major label deal with Sony’s Okeh imprint in 1995. Osborne released a series of critically-acclaimed albums on the Shanachie and MC labels before joining forces with Alligator Records.
With the 2010 release of American Patchwork, Osborne’s fame suddenly reached a whole new level. Critics went wild, with OffBeat saying, “The record is a focused and tuneful triumph. Osborne’s gifts as a guitar player are significant. His voice is so emotionally intense it feels like an explosion. He writes with remarkable eloquence...this is the living definition of great art.” 2012’s Black Eye Galaxy raised the bar even higher. USA Today said, “Black Eye Galaxy contains fiery anthems and dark confessional songs punctuated with incessant, penetrating guitar runs. It sounds like a cry of thanks from a rescued man.”
With Three Free Amigos, Anders Osborne shares his passion for life with his friends and fans. The melodic, accessible songs are lyrically deep, instantly memorable, and soulfully satisfying. With further touring ahead and a full album expected later in 2013, Anders Osborne has no plans to slow down.
www.andersosborne.com.
Trippin
Anders Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ON A COLD DARK PATH
HE WAS LOOKING FOR SALVATION
AND A HOT CLEAN BATH
LEFT A BLOODY SITUATION
BUT HE WAS NOT TO BLAME
LIKE THAT RUN-IN WITH THE AGENT
HE HAD A WAY TO LOOK IMPORTANT
FOOLED EVERYONE AROUND
LIKE HOW HE HELD HIS SHOULDERS
AND HE ALWAYS STOOD HIS GROUND
THEY USED TO SAY HE LOOKED LIKE JESUS
AND THAT REALLY FRIGHTENED HIM
CHANGED HIS FACE IN AMARILLO
JUST TO CLEAR HIS NAME FROM SIN
HE WENT TRIPPIN', TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
LIKE THE GOOD BOOK SAID
(HE/THEY) WENT TRIPPIN', TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
LIVING THE WORDS THAT HE READ
YOU HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT THIS GOOD PLACE
WHERE ALL YOUR MEMORIES ARE SAFE
YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND FORGIVENESS
AND UGLY DUCKS WILL FLY WITH GRACE
TRAIL YOUR WAY UP THIS MOUNTAIN
TO THE KINGDOM OF THE SAINTS
THERE'S A BANQUET IN THE ROCKIES
THAT YOUR HOLY MAN ARRANGED
HE LIT ‘EM UP OUT OF THE DARKNESS
BEFORE THE DEMONS TOOK THE STAGE
THEY MADE A PERFECT CIRCLE
AND ACTED OUT HIS HOLY RAGE
TOUCHED THEIR HEARTS WITH CONVICTION
AND HE MADE THEM UNDERSTAND
HE HELD THEM UP WITH ALL HIS COURAGE
AND CUT THEM DOWN WITH HIS LEFT HAND
HE WENT TRIPPIN', TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
LIKE THE GOOD BOOK SAID
(HE/THEY) WENT TRIPPIN', TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
LIVING THE WORDS THAT HE READ
(INSTRUMENTAL BREAK)
IT WAS A HOPELESS SITUATION
WE ALL KNEW IT HAD TO END
BOW YOUR HEAD AND SEEK SALVATION
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND LOSE YOUR HEAD
FIFTEEN MEN DOWN IN THIS CANYON
BREAKING BREAD WITH ALL THE GODS
ONE MAN STANDING OUTSIDE BOZEMAN
FLICKED HIS JOINT AND BROKE THE ODDS
HE WENT TRIPPIN', TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
LIKE THE GOOD BOOK SAID
(HE/THEY) WENT TRIPPIN', TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
LIVING THE WORDS THAT HE READ
Anders Osborne’s song “Trippin’” is a narrative that tells the story of a man who was on a journey in Montana, looking for salvation and a hot clean bath. He had a past that he couldn't forget and he was running away from it, but he was not entirely innocent. He had a run-in with an agent who promised him gold and fame that left him in a bloody situation, but he had a way of looking important and fooling everyone around him.
The singer of the song is someone who had a past that he was trying to forget. He had a chance to look like Jesus but that really frightened him, so he changed his face in Amarillo to clear his name from sin. He was living the words he read, and you could hear him talk about a good place where all your memories are safe, and you can always find forgiveness. He finally found the kingdom of the saints, where there’s a banquet in the Rockies that his holy man arranged.
He continued on his trip and made his way up the mountain, where he lit up out of the darkness before the demons took the stage. He made a perfect circle and acted out his holy rage, touched their hearts with conviction, and made them understand. He held them up with all his courage and cut them down with his left hand. It was a hopeless situation and we all knew it had to end – fifteen men down in this canyon, breaking bread with all the gods, but one man standing outside Bozeman flicked his joint and broke the odds.
Line by Line Meaning
HE WAS TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
He was under the influence of drugs in Montana
ON A COLD DARK PATH
Walking alone on a cold and dark road
HE WAS LOOKING FOR SALVATION
He was searching for a way to be saved
AND A HOT CLEAN BATH
He wanted to clean himself physically
LEFT A BLOODY SITUATION
He was involved in a violent incident
BUT HE WAS NOT TO BLAME
He was innocent in that situation
LIKE THAT RUN-IN WITH THE AGENT
Similar to his encounter with the agent
WHO PROMISED GOLD AND INSTANT FAME
A person who offered him wealth and fame
HE HAD A WAY TO LOOK IMPORTANT
He knew how to appear significant
FOOLED EVERYONE AROUND
He was able to deceive the people around him
LIKE HOW HE HELD HIS SHOULDERS
His posture made him look impressive
AND HE ALWAYS STOOD HIS GROUND
He was good at standing up for himself
THEY USED TO SAY HE LOOKED LIKE JESUS
People often thought he resembled Jesus
AND THAT REALLY FRIGHTENED HIM
That comparison scared him
CHANGED HIS FACE IN AMARILLO
He underwent a facial transformation in Amarillo
JUST TO CLEAR HIS NAME FROM SIN
To absolve himself of wrongdoing
YOU HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT THIS GOOD PLACE
He spoke of a perfect world
WHERE ALL YOUR MEMORIES ARE SAFE
A place where his memories were secure
YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND FORGIVENESS
A place where forgiveness was always available
AND UGLY DUCKS WILL FLY WITH GRACE
Even the unattractive are beautiful in that world
TRAIL YOUR WAY UP THIS MOUNTAIN
Climb the mountain to reach his paradise
TO THE KINGDOM OF THE SAINTS
To a place where holy people live
THERE'S A BANQUET IN THE ROCKIES
There's a feast in the Rockies
THAT YOUR HOLY MAN ARRANGED
Organized by his religious leader
HE LIT ‘EM UP OUT OF THE DARKNESS
He brought them out of the darkness
BEFORE THE DEMONS TOOK THE STAGE
Before the bad things happened
THEY MADE A PERFECT CIRCLE
They formed an unbroken ring
AND ACTED OUT HIS HOLY RAGE
They demonstrated his holy anger
TOUCHED THEIR HEARTS WITH CONVICTION
They were moved by his sincerity
AND HE MADE THEM UNDERSTAND
He helped them comprehend
HE HELD THEM UP WITH ALL HIS COURAGE
He supported them with his bravery
AND CUT THEM DOWN WITH HIS LEFT HAND
Then, he cut them down mercilessly
IT WAS A HOPELESS SITUATION
It was a lost cause
WE ALL KNEW IT HAD TO END
Everyone knew it would come to an end
BOW YOUR HEAD AND SEEK SALVATION
Pray and find a way to be saved
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND LOSE YOUR HEAD
Give in and accept one's fate
FIFTEEN MEN DOWN IN THIS CANYON
A group of men in a valley
BREAKING BREAD WITH ALL THE GODS
Sharing a meal with deities
ONE MAN STANDING OUTSIDE BOZEMAN
A single person positioned externally
FLICKED HIS JOINT AND BROKE THE ODDS
He lit a joint and defied the odds
HE WENT TRIPPIN', TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
He took a journey, hallucinating in Montana
LIKE THE GOOD BOOK SAID
As the Bible foretold
(HE/THEY) WENT TRIPPIN', TRIPPIN' IN MONTANA
They embarked on a drug-induced trip in Montana
LIVING THE WORDS THAT HE READ
Enacting the teachings he had learned
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDERS OSBORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind