“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.
Sweet Home Alabama
Ashley Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the south-land
I miss 'ole' 'bamy once again and I think it's a sin
Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well I heard ole Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
In Birmingham they love the Gov'nor, boo-hoo-hoo
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you, tell the truth
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you, here I come
Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes they do)
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how bout you?
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Sweet home Alabama, oh sweet home
Where the skies are so blue and the governor's true
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
The song "Sweet Home Alabama" by Ashley Ray is an ode to the state that Ray grew up in, Alabama. The first verse talks about the feelings of someone who has been away from home, missing their family and friends. The character in the song yearns to return to the south-land and sing songs about it with his kin. He feels like it's a sin to be away from the place that he loves so much.
The second verse, with its opening lines "Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her/Well, I heard ole Neil put her down", makes a reference to an ongoing feud between iconic rock musicians Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Young had famously criticized the south in his song "Southern Man", to which Skynyrd responded with "Sweet Home Alabama". The verse, essentially, tells Young that a southern man doesn't need his kind of criticism around, and that they are proud of their home state, despite its flaws.
The chorus of the song is the catchiest part and repeats the phrase "Sweet Home Alabama" several times over. This phrase has become somewhat of an anthem for the state and is often played at sporting events and rallies. The final verse mentions the town of Muscle Shoals, which has become famous for its music scene and is often referred to as the "Hit Recording Capital of the World". The verse talks about how the musicians there, known as ''The Swampers'', have a special way of making people feel good through their music. The outro of the song repeats the chorus and ends with a declaration of love for the state, "Lord, I'm coming home to you".
Line by Line Meaning
Big wheels keep on turning
Life moves on regardless of how we feel about it
Carry me home to see my kin
Take me back home to see my family
Singing songs about the south-land
We singing songs about our beloved South
I miss 'ole' 'bamy once again and I think it's a sin
I miss Alabama, and it feels wrong that I am not there
Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
I heard people singing praises of Alabama
Well I heard ole Neil put her down
I heard Neil Young give negative remarks about Alabama
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
I hope Neil Young remembers what Southern hospitality feels like
A southern man don't need him around anyhow
We don't care much about his opinion as we have our own way of life
Sweet home Alabama
Alabama, my sweet home
Where the skies are so blue
Where the skies are above us and clear
Lord, I'm coming home to you
I am going back home where I belong
In Birmingham they love the Gov'nor, boo-hoo-hoo
They are disappointed because they love the Governor, but something has gone wrong
Now we all did what we could do
We tried our best to make things right
Now Watergate does not bother me
I am not concerned about the Watergate scandal
Does your conscience bother you, tell the truth
Are you guilty about anything, you can confess
Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
We are proud of Muscle Shoals for producing great music
And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes they do)
They are great at picking hit songs
Lord they get me off so much
Their music lifts my spirit, and I enjoy it so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how bout you?
Their music cheers me up, and how about you?
Sweet home Alabama, oh sweet home
Alabama, my sweet home
Where the skies are so blue and the governor's true
Where we have clear skies and a trustworthy governor
Lord, I'm coming home to you
I'm going back home where I belong
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Robert Rossington, Edward C. King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael VanDyke
Play a song, you do it your own way.. She nailed it!
Photograph1974
Love it! Finally, a very different version of this all-time classic American song.
Dave Norris
I heard her on the radio here in Seoul, Korea, today. I had never heard her voice before. It was love at first note!!!
April Francis
Ashley Ray
ooTFoo
I love it...she sing this song soooo great....and her voice ...awesome *top*
Bill miller
This arrangement is beautiful and mesmerizing. Thank You.
Nick Korkodilos
I love this version. It's so different from the original which is a part of my life like air that I get to fall in love with Sweet Home Alabama all over again. How cool is that.
USS Indianapolis
Its certainly unique
Costas Giotakis
ΕΤΣΙ ΡΕ ΦΙΛΕ!
WC 'Strawberry' Fields
I remember where I was the first time I heard Ashley's version. Like hearing the song for the first time, with an ethereal, feminine twist. In an interview, she gives credit to a fellow songwriter/producer for the minimalist arrangement.