“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.
Who Wants It
Ashley Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch those hands at least for now
Your quick wit bullshit about my cigarette
You might have a chance once the band gets loud
We're both lookin' for somethin'
Baby you think that you're him
He's never gonna want to let go of me
And I'll show him how good it can get
I got it
Who wants it
Later, maybe, guess we'll wait and see
I'll let ya know at the end of the night
A little tease boy please you must not know me
You'll get a chance if you play your cards right
Somebody's gonna get lucky
Baby who is it gonna be
'Cause I got what a good man needs
He's never gonna want to let go of me
And I'll show him how good it can get
I got it
Who wants it
The song "Who Wants It" by Ashley Ray is a playful, flirtatious conversation between two people who are attracted to each other. The woman is light-weight and a cheap date, but she demands a stiff drink from the man, signaling that she knows what she wants. Although she's not interested in his quick wit, she's willing to give him a chance once the band starts playing. Both of them are looking for something, and the woman assumes that the man thinks that he’s the one she’s looking for.
The woman asserts that she has what a good man needs and that he'll never want to let go of her once he discovers how good it can get. She challenges the man and asks the question, "Who wants it?" which suggests that both of them are aware of what might happen if they pursue their attraction further. The woman is portrayed as somewhat of a tease, revealing that she might let him know whether he has a chance at the end of the night if he plays his cards right. She then asks the question again, "Somebody's gonna get lucky, Baby who is it gonna be," suggesting that she's open to whatever might happen next.
In summary, "Who Wants It" depicts a flirtatious conversation between two people who are attracted to each other. The woman is aware of her appeal to men and asserts that she has what a good man needs. The song ends on a playful note, with the woman asking who is going to be the lucky one to win her affection.
Line by Line Meaning
Light weight, cheap date, buy me a stiff drink
I'm easy to please, but don't try to take advantage of me. Buy me a strong drink if you want to impress me.
Watch those hands at least for now
Don't get too handsy too quickly. We just met, so be patient.
Your quick wit bullshit about my cigarette
Your attempts to be charming with your witty remarks about my cigarette are not working.
You might have a chance once the band gets loud
I'll consider giving you a chance if you can prove to me you're worth it by being confident and fun once the music starts playing.
We're both lookin' for somethin'
Both of us are searching for a connection or something meaningful, but it's not clear if we'll find it in each other.
Baby you think that you're him
You might be hoping that you're the one I'm searching for, but we'll have to see if that's true.
'Cause I got what a good man needs
I have the qualities that a good man desires in a partner.
He's never gonna want to let go of me
If a man is smart, he'll want to hold onto me and keep me in his life.
And I'll show him how good it can get
I'm confident in my ability to make a good man extremely happy, and I'm eager to prove it to him.
I got it
I have what it takes to make a relationship work, and I don't settle for less.
Who wants it
I'm putting myself out there, confident in my abilities and hoping to find someone who is interested in what I have to offer.
Later, maybe, guess we'll wait and see
I'm not making any promises, but if you impress me enough, we could see where this goes.
I'll let ya know at the end of the night
We'll see how the night goes, and depending on how it goes, I'll let you know if I'm interested in pursuing anything further.
A little tease boy please you must not know me
Don't think you can win me over by being a tease. You don't know what I'm looking for.
You'll get a chance if you play your cards right
If you show me you have what it takes to be a good partner, we could give this a real shot.
Somebody's gonna get lucky
Either you or someone else could be the lucky one to win my heart.
Baby who is it gonna be
Out of all the potential suitors, who will be the one to win me over?
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Whitney Anderson
Wow! Look at u go! I remember you probably 10 years ago giving Kelsey nd I tips for cheerleading tryouts...ur awesome