In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Call It a Day Tonight
Asleep At The Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this sleepy town
I walk around the block
Looking for the old time party clown
It's too late now for a dancing crowd
In the glow of the neon light
So I guess I'll call it a day
Tonight
It's been 2 years since we met here neath the old oak tree
But now the night owl and the shadows keep me company
You've been gone too long, so I'll move along
The time just wasn't right
So I guess I'll call it a Day
Tonight
Street Light, Light the way
Memories you know they lead me astray
Nothin' shakin', Love's be taken
And I'm losing the fight
So I guess I'll call it a Day
Tonight
Two left turns and I fight the urge to keep strolling down
The only Lonely one I know's still walking round
I hear Crickets sing under bright moonbeams
Not long till morning light
And I guess I'll call it a Day
Tonight
Street Light, Light the way
Memories you know they lead me astray
Nothin' shakin', Love's be taken
And I'm losing the fight
So I guess I'll call it a day
Might Feel more like here
So I guess I'll call it a day
Tonight
The lyrics of "It's a Good Day" by Asleep at the Wheel and Leon Rausch depict the melancholic reflections of a person who finds themselves wandering in a sleepy town late at night. The singer describes their search for the old-time party clown, symbolizing a longing for the youthful joy and excitement that seems to have faded away. However, they realize it's too late to find a dancing crowd and decide to call it a day.
The song also touches upon lost love and missed opportunities. The singer mentions that it has been two years since they met someone beneath an old oak tree, but now they are left with only the company of night owls and shadows. The reference to the time not being right suggests that their relationship did not work out, and they accept the need to move on.
The lyrics are filled with nostalgic imagery and a feeling of resignation. The streetlights are mentioned as guiding the way, but they also lead to memories that distract and mislead the singer. The loss of love is portrayed as a fight, where they admit to losing the battle.
In the final verse, the singer contemplates making two left turns, a metaphor for trying to change direction in life. However, they resist the temptation and acknowledge the presence of another lonely soul still walking around. The chorus repeats the theme of streetlights, memories, and the struggle with lost love before finally accepting that it's time to call it a day, perhaps implying a sense of surrender to their current circumstances.
Overall, "It's a Good Day" explores themes of nostalgia, lost love, and the acceptance of one's current situation. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a late-night stroll through a quiet town, where memories and regrets intertwine.
Line by Line Meaning
It's 2 am and I'm back again
It's late at night and I find myself in this familiar place once more
In this sleepy town
In this quiet and inactive town
I walk around the block
I wander aimlessly through the streets
Looking for the old time party clown
Searching for a sense of joy and excitement from the past
It's too late now for a dancing crowd
The time is no longer suitable for a lively gathering
In the glow of the neon light
In the captivating illumination of the neon lights
So I guess I'll call it a day
Therefore, I decide to end my current pursuit
Tonight
This evening
It's been 2 years since we met here neath the old oak tree
It has been two years since we last encountered each other under the ancient oak tree
But now the night owl and the shadows keep me company
Yet, currently, I find solace in the presence of night owls and the darkness surrounding me
You've been gone too long, so I'll move along
You have been absent for an extended period, thus I must continue my journey
The time just wasn't right
The opportune moment simply did not arrive
So I guess I'll call it a Day
Therefore, I choose to conclude this chapter of my life
Tonight
This very evening
Street Light, Light the way
Street lights guide my path
Memories you know they lead me astray
Memories often divert me from my intended course
Nothin' shakin', Love's be taken
There is no excitement or progress, love has departed
And I'm losing the fight
I am gradually losing the battle
So I guess I'll call it a Day
Therefore, I decide to bring an end to this phase
Tonight
This very evening
Two left turns and I fight the urge to keep strolling down
Despite the temptation to continue wandering aimlessly after making two left turns
The only Lonely one I know's still walking round
The sole individual I identify with loneliness is still meandering about
I hear Crickets sing under bright moonbeams
I perceive the melodious chirping of crickets under the luminous moonlight
Not long till morning light
Dawn is approaching soon
And I guess I'll call it a Day
Therefore, I choose to bring this period of time to a conclusion
Tonight
This very evening
Street Light, Light the way
Street lights illuminate my path
Memories you know they lead me astray
Memories often divert me from my intended course
Nothin' shakin', Love's be taken
There is no excitement or progress, love has departed
And I'm losing the fight
I am gradually losing the battle
So I guess I'll call it a day
Therefore, I decide to bring an end to this phase
Might Feel more like here
Perhaps it is more appropriate to consider this current situation
So I guess I'll call it a day
Therefore, I choose to bring this period of time to a conclusion
Tonight
This very evening
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Katie Shore, Ray Benson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.