He has played and toured with Shovels & Rope, Jonny Corndawg, Caitlin Rose, Houndmouth, Robert Ellis, and Jason Isbell.
Following the success of the 2010 EP Tennessee Time, Coin Records released the 7-inch single “Big Bad Love” in May 2012 and Combs’ debut full-length album, Worried Man, on October 30, 2012. The album was co-produced by Mike Odmark and features guest appearances from Caitlin Rose and Nikki Lane, along with the core band of Jeremy Fetzer, Spencer Cullum, Jr., Michael Rinne, Micah Hulscher, and Jon Radford.
Worried Man
Andrew Combs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two shaky hands, two beady eyes
See my baby, she been gone so long
I'm gonna keep on worrying until my baby comes home
See me smoking like a freight train
See me sweating like a hog
Every minute getting mean, mean, meaner
There's just one thought, I can't hardly stand
That's the vision of my baby holding another man
Somebody said they saw her shaking
Down in New Orleans
Doing a little boogie-woogie
Like some Cajun queen
She can run, but she cannot hide
I'm gonna find my baby, I'm gonna make things right
I'm a worried man, I got a worried mind
Two shaky hands, two beady eyes
I see my baby, she been gone so long
I'm gonna keep on worrying until my baby comes home
I'm gonna buy me a shotgun
I'm gonna buy me some shells
I'm gonna fill each one with salt and nails
And when I find my baby
I'm gonna aim real low
I'm gonna shoot out her ankles
She won't be dancing no more
I'm a worried man, I got a worried mind
Two shaky hands, two beady eyes
And when I find my baby
I'm gonna aim real low
I'm gonna shoot out her ankles
She won't be dancing no more
The lyrics of Andrew Combs's song "Worried Man" depict a man who is deeply troubled and consumed by anxiety over his missing lover. The repetition of the phrase "I'm a worried man, I got a worried mind" sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the singer's restless state and inner turmoil. The imagery of "Two shaky hands, two beady eyes" further illustrates his physical and emotional unease, suggesting that he is on edge and unable to find peace.
As the song progresses, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of the man's escalating paranoia and desperation. He describes himself smoking like a freight train and sweating like a hog, showcasing his nervous energy and heightened state of distress. The comparison to a "junkyard dog" hints at his growing aggression and unruliness, indicating that his worry has transformed into a dangerous obsession with his missing lover.
The singer's fixation on his lover's perceived infidelity adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. He imagines her dancing with another man in New Orleans, fueling his jealousy and paranoia. The reference to filling shotgun shells with salt and nails and vowing to shoot her ankles, so she can no longer dance, is a disturbing and violent manifestation of his possessiveness and desire for control.
Overall, "Worried Man" is a poignant exploration of love, betrayal, and the destructive power of jealousy. The lyrics delve into the dark corners of the singer's mind, revealing the extent of his insecurity and obsession. The song serves as a haunting reminder of how fear and mistrust can poison a relationship and drive a person to extreme measures in the name of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a worried man, I got a worried mind
Feeling anxious and troubled, my mind is consumed with concern.
Two shaky hands, two beady eyes
My hands tremble and my eyes dart nervously.
See my baby, she been gone so long
My beloved has been absent for an extended period.
I'm gonna keep on worrying until my baby comes home
My anxiety will persist until my partner returns.
See me smoking like a freight train
I am smoking heavily, resembling a train in motion.
See me sweating like a hog
I am sweating profusely, akin to a pig.
Every minute getting mean, mean, meaner
With each passing moment, my mood becomes increasingly hostile.
Than a junkyard dog
I am becoming even more aggressive than a fierce guard dog.
There's just one thought, I can't hardly stand
I struggle to bear the thought of my partner with someone else.
That's the vision of my baby holding another man
I cannot endure the mental image of my partner being affectionate with another person.
Somebody said they saw her shaking
A person claimed to have seen my partner trembling in fear or excitement.
Down in New Orleans
In the city of New Orleans.
Doing a little boogie-woogie
Engaging in a lively dance.
Like some Cajun queen
Resembling royalty from the Cajun culture.
She can run, but she cannot hide
Although she may try to evade me, she will not escape.
I'm gonna find my baby, I'm gonna make things right
I am determined to locate my partner and reconcile matters.
I'm gonna buy me a shotgun
I will acquire a shotgun.
I'm gonna buy me some shells
I will purchase ammunition for the shotgun.
I'm gonna fill each one with salt and nails
Each shell will contain salt and nails for a specific purpose.
And when I find my baby
Upon locating my partner.
I'm gonna aim real low
I will target the lower part of her body.
I'm gonna shoot out her ankles
My intention is to harm her ankles with gunfire.
She won't be dancing no more
As a result, she will be unable to dance again.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andrew Combs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind