“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.
Pauline
Ashley Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking back from the cemetery
Uncle Tim grabbed a hold of me and hugged me
And said, as long as you're alive
Your mother will never be dead
And, umm, all of my mom's family
Said, I can't get over how much you look like Peggy
And her name is actually Paulina
She has no middle name
Mom got your locket
Dad got your gun
Kari got your diamond ring
Cousin Josiah got your forty-fives
And the cross that you kept on a string
I'm not sure who, but
I think Aunt Ruby
Got your '69 Pontiac
And poor Uncle Paul got the rest of it all
Right down to the frames and the tacks
And I got your name
I got your name
Got your hand me down heart
I got your blood in my veins
I got your disposition
I got your mean
The way I stand in the kitchen
And I never listen
Call me Pauline
To make the ends meet
You canned pork 'n' beans
At Stokley's van camp factory
When that work went missin'
You packed ammunition
To keep shoes on all of their feet
They tell the stories
Of your faded glory
And how you and me are the same
I never met you
But I can't forget you
Every time mama gets angry
I got your name
I got your name
Got your hand me down heart
I got your blood in my veins
I got your disposition
I got your mean
The way I stand in the kitchen
And I never listen
Call me Pauline
She did what she had to do to make her family comfortable
And never complained or never bragged about it
Never, it never became an issue, she just did it
There's no ifs ands or buts about
When she believes in something, she believes in it
And, umm, wasn't anybody gonna change her mind about it
I got your name
I got your name
Got your hard workin' hands
And your mouth like a runaway train
I got your disposition
I got your mean
The way I stand in the kitchen
And I never listen
Call me Pauline
The way I stand in the kitchen
And I never listen
Call me Pauline
The song "Pauline" by Ashley Ray is a heartfelt tribute to the singer's grandmother, who passed away before the singer was born. The song starts with the singer recalling her grandmother's funeral and how her uncle hugged her and said that her mother would never truly be gone as long as the singer was alive. The singer then talks about how everybody in her family commented on how much she looked like her grandmother, whose name was actually Paulina, and how the singer inherited her disposition and stubbornness.
The second verse describes how the singer's family divided up her grandmother's possessions after her death, and how the singer got her name and the traits that came with it. The singer then talks about how her grandmother worked at a factory to provide for her family and how she was known for her hard work ethic and strong opinions. The song ends with the singer repeating the chorus, "Call me Pauline," as a way of embracing her grandmother's legacy and honoring her memory.
Overall, "Pauline" is a powerful and emotional tribute to a grandmother who left a lasting impression on the singer, even though they never met. The song celebrates the hard work and determination of a woman who did everything she could to provide for her family, and reminds us that the traits we inherit from our ancestors can shape our lives in powerful ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, at her funeral
The song is about a woman named Paulina who has passed away and is being mourned
Walking back from the cemetery
The singer is leaving the cemetery after Paulina's funeral
Uncle Tim grabbed a hold of me and hugged me
The singer's uncle Tim comforts her after Paulina's funeral
And said, as long as you're alive
Your mother will never be dead
Uncle Tim tells the artist that as long as she is alive, Paulina will always live on
And, umm, all of my mom's family
Said, I can't get over how much you look like Peggy
Paulina's family tells the artist that she looks like Peggy
And her name is actually Paulina
Yeah, her name's Paulina
She has no middle name
It is revealed that Paulina's real name is Paulina and she has no middle name
Mom got your locket
Dad got your gun
Kari got your diamond ring
Cousin Josiah got your forty-fives
And the cross that you kept on a string
After Paulina's death, her possessions are distributed among her family members
I'm not sure who, but
I think Aunt Ruby
Got your '69 Pontiac
And poor Uncle Paul got the rest of it all
Right down to the frames and the tacks
Paulina's other possessions are also given to various family members
And I got your name
I got your name
Got your hand me down heart
I got your blood in my veins
I got your disposition
I got your mean
The way I stand in the kitchen
And I never listen
Call me Pauline
The artist reveals that she inherited many traits from Paulina, including her name, her personality, and her mannerisms
To make the ends meet
You canned pork 'n' beans
At Stokley's van camp factory
When that work went missin'
You packed ammunition
To keep shoes on all of their feet
Paulina worked hard to provide for her family, even resorting to packing ammunition when her job at the factory ended
They tell the stories
Of your faded glory
And how you and me are the same
I never met you
But I can't forget you
Every time mama gets angry
Despite never having met Paulina, the singer hears stories about her and feels a connection to her whenever her own mother gets angry
Got your hard workin' hands
And your mouth like a runaway train
I got your disposition
I got your mean
The way I stand in the kitchen
And I never listen
Call me Pauline
The artist further emphasizes the similarities between herself and Paulina, including her strong work ethic and tendency to speak her mind
The way I stand in the kitchen
And I never listen
Call me Pauline
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing that the singer identifies strongly with Paulina
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Ashley Ray, Sean McConnell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dennisjackson1390
Ashley, you have hit a home run with this album. Your songs are intimate, personal and timeless. Your songwriting and voice are inspiring. We are all looking forward to witnessing more of your incredible talent.
@AshleyRayOfficial
Thank you so much! This means the world!
@kaythemiraclecure1007
Saw your show at the Americana Festival and you are by far one of the best writers I have heard in a long time. Thank you for your gift.
@AshleyRayOfficial
Thank you so so much, this means the world, please keep in touch xo
@MamazitaCole
Still obsessed with this, Ash! ❤ 🔥
@AshleyRayOfficial
Thank you honey! Means so much ❤️
@JEM3
Your song is beautiful. Funny, it's stirring emotions in me about a father I've never met. I'm glad I'm subscribed to NPR. Blessings to you. 🕊️
@AshleyRayOfficial
Wow. Thank you so so much for looking me up and sharing! This is why I do what I do. The power of music.
@1besieged
This is a sad, haunting song, very very good, you keep singing Ashley Ray , you got your momma's yodel, I do believe you are gonna be a big * STAR * soon !! The band is also very very good! :)
@paulmatxgmail.comwrinkles1229
Real talent