“My mom says when I was about five I told her that I was going to be a priest and a part time veterinarian, but that lasted about five minutes. Music has always been such a huge part of my life that I couldn't escape from it even if I wanted to. I set my mind a long time ago to achieving this, and that's where it's been ever since.
The chestnut-haired singer/songwriter left Lawrence, KS, after high school to pursue her musical dreams and hone her songwriting skills in the Music City. Just four years later, she has landed a songwriting deal with Sony ATV Tree, earned a BBA from music school heavyweight Belmont University, and built a loyal following for her cool brand of country music.
But it is to her Midwestern roots and solid family values that Ashley credits a great deal of her work ethic and determination.
“My mom has worked for United Parcel Service (UPS) for over 20 years. She's done everything from working the counter to driving those big ‘ol brown trucks. She's about 5'5 and 115 lbs soak n' wet, yet she's the strongest woman that I'll ever know. My Dad worked most of his life as a construction worker. He built everything he had from the ground up - from houses and car engines, to what he wanted most in life, a beautiful and very loving family.”
With mental strength and focused ambition, Ashley continues to win fans over with her yearning voice and heartfelt lyrics. Whether rockin’ out with her band to a rowdy, beer-soaked crowd, or sitting in pin-drop silence at a writers’ round with just her acoustic guitar and captivating voice, Ashley’s performance assaults the senses while her lyrics serenade the soul.
Performing live has become second nature to Ashley, having shared the stage with some of country music’s hottest stars including Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, and Cross Canadian Ragweed to name a few. “Performing live is the real deal. You've got the band, the crowd, your best songs – it’s the reason why we do what we do.”
While nothing gets her blood pumping like playing for a live crowd of “crazy people, beer drinkers, partiers who love country music and love to have a good time,” she also needs alone time to think, reflect and focus on songwriting. The self-proclaimed
perfectionist is constantly on the look out for inspiration and always striving for accomplishment. “If I'm inspired while I'm writing, chances are that others will be inspired when they hear it. I don't care if it’s a love song, a getting over love song, or a making love song...if it makes me and/or anyone else feel something then it was worth writing. Hit or no hit.”
While her resume already reads thick with some of country music’s biggest names, that doesn’t stop her for reaching for the stars. “In my wildest dreams I would write one with Kasey Chambers, jam with the Dixie Chicks, sing one with Kelly Willis, drink one with Bob Seger, and roll one with Willie”, says Ashley.
From a grade school dreamer with nothing but a pawn shop guitar, to a focused young woman on the verge of stardom, Ashley Ray just wants to be remembered for making REAL music.
“In a perfect world I want my style of real country music to be heard everywhere…all around the world.”
At this rate, it will be.
My Kind Of Mistake
Ashley Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I'm well aware that a boy like you is bad news
You ain't foolin' nobody with the honey sweetened words you say
And you're the kind of mistake I love to make
You lay it on thick
And you lay it on real smooth
You got a line like a drug and a smile just like a noose
And you're the kind of mistake I love to make
I might regret the way this thing turns out
But it's too soon to think about that now
I always assume to learn my lessons hard
Because boys like you can be hell on a heart
Lead me not into temptation, I know the way
And you're the kind of mistake I love to make
I might regret the way this thing turns out
But it's too late to think about that now
One more round there's no tellin' what I'll do
Cause what's bad for me could be real good for you
And I should cut myself off before it's too late
But you're the kind of mistake I love
Yeah you're the kind of mistake I love to make
The song "My Kind of Mistake" by Ashley Ray is a reflective song about the choices we make in relationships. She acknowledges that the guy she's involved with is bad news and that his sweet talk is not fooling her. Despite this, she can't resist the temporary pleasure of being with him, even at the risk of regretting it later. Throughout the song, Ashley Ray reveals that she's been in similar situations before and that she's aware of the consequences. However, the temptation is too great, and she falls into the same pattern.
The chorus is particularly melancholic, as Ashley Ray accepts that she might regret her actions but still chooses to go ahead with them. She recognizes that she's only setting herself up for heartbreak, but the attraction is too intense. The lyrics throughout the song hint at a sense of recklessness, knowing that she will regret her decision later but choosing to go through with it anyway. The last line, "you're the kind of mistake I love to make," is a bit of a paradox. It highlights the singer's self-destructive tendencies and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
Momma didn't raise a girl without a clue
I was raised well and know what I'm getting into
So I'm well aware that a boy like you is bad news
I know boys like you are trouble
You ain't foolin' nobody with the honey sweetened words you say
Your words are insincere and I see right through them
And you're the kind of mistake I love to make
I know you're no good for me, but I can't resist you
You lay it on thick
You are very persuasive
And you lay it on real smooth
You are charming and convincing
You got a line like a drug and a smile just like a noose
Your words and appearance are addictive and dangerous
And I could see you comin' from about a hundred miles away
I knew you were trouble from a long way off
I might regret the way this thing turns out
I might end up feeling bad about this
But it's too soon to think about that now
I'm still caught up in the moment and not thinking clearly
Because boys like you can be hell on a heart
Guys like you can cause a lot of emotional pain
Lead me not into temptation, I know the way
I know I shouldn't be doing this, but I can't resist
And you're the kind of mistake I love to make
I know this is a bad idea, but I can't help myself
One more round there's no tellin' what I'll do
I might give in to temptation if I keep going
Cause what's bad for me could be real good for you
You might benefit from my poor decision-making
And I should cut myself off before it's too late
I should stop this before things get worse
But you're the kind of mistake I love
I'm drawn to the excitement and danger of being with you
Yeah you're the kind of mistake I love to make
I know it's wrong, but I can't resist you
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.