Strehli sang with Austin-based bands including Fabulous Rockets, Angela & Lewis And The Sunnyland Special, and James Polk & the Brothers starting in 1966. In 1970, she teamed up with bluesman W.C. Clark in the Southern Feeling blues band. From 1971 until she left Austin, Strehli worked at Clifford Antone's blues club as a singer, stage manager, and booker, introducing new acts including Stevie Ray Vaughn. Vaughn returned the favor in 1985, bringing Strehli on stage to sing with him during his Carnegie Hall concert.
In 1987, Strehli released her first album, Soul Shake, with blues standards from Elmore James, J.B. Hutto and Eddie Taylor and Strehli's own compositions. In spite of a guest appearance on Austin City Limits and a tour with Doug Sahm, the album was not a big seller.
Strehli's best-know album is probably 1990's Dreams Come True, a collaboration with Austin contemporaries Marcia Ball and Lou Ann Barton as Marcia Ball, Angela Strehli & Lou Ann Barton.
Strehli left Austin in 1993, moving to California. Over the next five years, she released two more albums, Soul Shake (as Angela Strehli Band) and Deja Blue. She also made guest appearances on albums with Maria Muldaur and Pinetop Perkins.
In 2005, Strehli released Blue Highway, which featured guest appearances from Marcia Ball, Maria Muldaur and Paul Thon.
Strehli now devotes most of her time to running her Marin County restaurant, Rancho Nicasio, where she occasionally performs.
SRV
Angela Strehli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, how nice to see you again
Somehow, no matter how far away
I know you and I are friends
I wonder if you knew
How many hearts you changed
When you closed your eyes so tight
When you left, I saw grown men weep
Not because you're gone, but for so much more
What's overwhelming is what you left behind
Your music, your passion cannot be denied
You left us standing here feeling so betrayed
That a light that shines so bright
Could be so easily taken away
Last night, I was dreaming about you
Oh, how nice to see you again
Somehow, no matter how far away
I know you and I are friends
And I think you must have known
How many hearts you changed
When you close your eyes so tight
And let your fingers burn like flames
And did you realize the history that you laid
And left a hole half the size of Texas
When you went down that day
The above lyrics are from the song "SRV" by Angela Strehli, a song dedicated to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, a renowned guitarist and blues musician. The lyrics reflect on the profound impact and legacy that Stevie Ray Vaughan left behind for his fans and fellow musicians through his music and passion for playing the guitar. The song begins with the singer dreaming of Vaughan, expressing how wonderful it is to see him again despite his passing.
The chorus emphasizes how Vaughan changed the lives of many people through his music. The lyrics suggest that Vaughan's playing was so skillful and passionate that he could touch the hearts of anyone listening, and it was evident in his closed eyes, burning fingers, and the overwhelming effect his music had on listeners. The song shifts to reflect on Vaughan's death, particularly the emotional devastation it brought to those who knew him and the void his absence left in the music world.
The lyrics also suggest that Vaughan was aware of the impact he was making on people and that he himself was aware of the history he was creating with his music. The final stanza expresses the deep sadness and feeling of betrayal that many people felt when Vaughan's light was suddenly taken away. Overall, the lyrics to "SRV" convey a deep appreciation and respect for the life and work of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and how even in death, he continues to inspire and touch the hearts of those who love the blues.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night, I was dreaming about you
I dreamt about you last night
Oh, how nice to see you again
Seeing you was a pleasant experience
Somehow, no matter how far away
Regardless of the distance between us
I know you and I are friends
I'm confident that we're friends
I wonder if you knew
I'm curious if you were aware
How many hearts you changed
The number of people whose hearts you touched
When you closed your eyes so tight
As you played your guitar with intensity
And your fingers burned like flames
Your playing was passionate
When you left, I saw grown men weep
People were emotional when you passed away
Not because you're gone, but for so much more
Their tears were not only for your absence
What's overwhelming is what you left behind
The legacy you left is astonishing
Your music, your passion cannot be denied
Your love for music is undeniable
You left us standing here feeling so betrayed
We felt abandoned when you left
That a light that shines so bright
The brilliance of your talent
Could be so easily taken away
Was gone in an instant
And I think you must have known
I believe you were aware
How many hearts you changed
Of the impact you made on people
When you close your eyes so tight
As you played your guitar with passion
And let your fingers burn like flames
The intensity with which you played
And did you realize the history that you laid
Were you aware of the significance of your contributions
And left a hole half the size of Texas
The void you left was massive
When you went down that day
On the day of your passing
Writer(s): Angela Strehli
Contributed by Makayla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ariela8003
Angela is really telling a story here. Her facial expressions and the movement in her voice sounds so authentic. Same with SRV. Every accompaniment on this song is just too good. Happy I have the pleasure of listening to this performance
@markzelepugas6046
Angela is FOR REAL!!!
@jeffyoder8105
This song shows the old school blues roots of each member of the group 😅😅😊
@jeffyoder8105
And Angela is especially good at channeling Etta Kitt when she sings 😮😅
@jeffyoder8105
Oh yeah she really shows her old school blues roots beautifully 😅😅😊😊
@AdrianAndersson
This is one of the most introspective and emotional solos I've heard Stevie play. Wow!
@peggyconner5643
🤠Greatest INTROSPECTIVE SOLO BY STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN🤠
@jamesrramey
Yes, Stevie at his best,
his soul bleeds through #1
@peggyconner5643
@@jamesrramey Such a remarkable and extraordinary song from my all time number one BLUES GUITARIST PLAYER FOREVER STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN Totally agree with your comment thank you.🤠
@peggyconner5643
@@jamesrramey GREATEST BLUES PLAYER EVER, great comment James Ramey.