“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.
Off the Wagon Again
Ashley Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought I kicked it forever, and then
Just one hit on the lips
And, hello, old friend
I fell off the wagon again
There's a house on the wrong side of town
I got out 'fore the whole thing burned down
But look at me now
In this house, on the wrong side of town
It's a long way down
But I'm used to fallin' by now
I can't help it at all
When you look at me like that
I just take you back
I guess I'm fallin' off the wagon again
There's a hope that I have when we dance
Two steppin' around your third chance
To the dry county blues
My heart in your hands
There's a hope that I have when we dance
And it's a long way down
But I'm used to fallin' by now, I
Can't help it at all
When you look at me like that
I just take you back
I guess I'm fallin' off the wagon again
It's a long way down
But I'm used to fallin' by now, I
Can't help it at all
When you look at me like that
I just take it back
When you look at me like that
I just take it back
I guess I'm fallin' off the wagon again
The lyrics to Ashley Ray's "Off the Wagon Again" speak to the experience of falling back into old bad habits despite trying to leave them behind. The singer sings of having previously fallen off the wagon, likely referring to addiction or substance abuse, and thinking that they had overcome it permanently. However, with just one hit, they find themselves back where they started, greeting an old friend.
The second verse describes the singer finding themselves in a house on the wrong side of town. They had sworn they would never go back, but here they are. The implied meaning is that this is a place of danger or temptations that the singer had previously left behind. Again, despite their best intentions, they have fallen off the wagon and found themselves back in a place they never wanted to be.
The song's bridge shifts to a more hopeful perspective, centered around dancing with someone who represents the temptation and addiction that the singer is struggling with. Though the singer sees a chance for redemption and a better future, the song ends with them fully acknowledging that they are falling off the wagon again. Ultimately, the lyrics tell a story of the struggle of overcoming addiction and the constant pull of old habits and temptations.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I fell off the wagon again
I relapsed and returned to my old unhealthy habits
Thought I kicked it forever, and then
I thought I had overcome my addiction for good, but I was wrong
Just one hit on the lips
Just one taste of the addictive substance
And, hello, old friend
And I am once again reunited with my addiction
I fell off the wagon again
I succumbed to my addiction once again
There's a house on the wrong side of town
There's a residence in a part of town known for crime and poverty
I got out 'fore the whole thing burned down
I left before the house was completely destroyed
Swore I'd never go back
I made a vow to never return to that place
But look at me now
But here I am, despite my promises
In this house, on the wrong side of town
Living once again in the same shady area
It's a long way down
The road to recovery is difficult and long
But I'm used to fallin' by now
I have become accustomed to my failures and relapses
I can't help it at all
I feel powerless to resist my addiction
When you look at me like that
When you look at me with those enticing eyes
I just take you back
I give in and go back to my addiction once again
I guess I'm fallin' off the wagon again
I suppose I am reverting back to my old habits once more
There's a hope that I have when we dance
There's a glimmer of hope and happiness when we dance together
Two steppin' around your third chance
Dancing around the idea of giving our relationship another try
To the dry county blues
Feeling down and depressed about the lack of options available
My heart in your hands
My emotions are vulnerable and dependent on your actions
And it's a long way down
The path to recovery and overcoming addiction is difficult
But I'm used to fallin' by now, I
Nevertheless, I have already experienced many failures and relapses
Can't help it at all
I feel completely powerless to resist my addictive impulses
When you look at me like that
When you give me that seductive and alluring gaze
I just take you back
I can't help but return to my unhealthy habits
When you look at me like that
Your gaze has a powerful effect on my willpower
I just take it back
I give into temptation and revert back to my addiction
I guess I'm fallin' off the wagon again
I suppose I am once again succumbing to my addictive impulses
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Ashley Ray, Sean McConnell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind