Asleep at the Wheel is an American country music group that was formed in P… Read Full Bio ↴Asleep at the Wheel is an American country music group that was formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia, but based in Austin, Texas. Altogether, they have won nine Grammy Awards since their 1970 inception. In their career, they have released more than twenty studio albums, and have charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard country charts. Their highest-charting single, "The Letter That Johnny Walker Read", peaked at No. 10 in 1975.

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.

hang up my spurs and saddle
Asleep At The Wheel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm gonna hang up my spurs and saddle
I'm gonna ride the reins no more
I'm gonna sleep in a bed with a pillow 'neath my head
And sit inside and laugh when it rains and pours

I'm gonna let my old pain out the pasture
Won't have to set your saddle no more
Gonna hang up my spurs and saddle

And keep my fat feet right here on the floor

Oh, hang up them spurs and feel the rein

Now, skirl the guitar, Jenny

I'm gonna hang up my spurs and saddle
I'm gonna drink my coffee from a mug
Ain't gonna wrap my arms around no doggy's neck
A pretty señorita is the only thing I'll pet

I'm gonna live life large every morning noon and night
And drive my old pickup in the town
I'm gonna hang up my spurs and saddle, boys
And dance the night away when the sun goes down, ooh

I'm gonna live life large every morning noon and night
And drive my old pickup in the town
I'm gonna hang up my spurs and saddle, boys

And dance the night away when the sun goes down
And dance the night away when the sun goes down, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Hang Up My Spurs and Saddle" by Asleep at the Wheel talks about the decision of the singer to retire from a life on the road as a cowboy. The singer is tired of riding the reins and wants to leave behind the old pain of the past. He's ready to let his past go and live his life to the fullest. He longs to enjoy the comfort of sleeping on a soft bed with a pillow under his head, drinking coffee from a mug, and not having to wrap his arms around a dog's neck, except for a pretty señorita.

The singer also wants to enjoy life large by driving his pickup and dancing the night away when the sun goes down. With this decision, he's ready to retire and hang up his spurs and saddle, choosing a different lifestyle.

Overall, the lyrics express the desire for change, growth, and living life without regrets. The song celebrates the ability to choose a different path and embrace new experiences. It's a reminder to enjoy every moment and live life to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna hang up my spurs and saddle
I will no longer pursue a cowboy lifestyle

I'm gonna ride the reins no more
I will no longer control the actions of a horse or any other creature

I'm gonna sleep in a bed with a pillow 'neath my head And sit inside and laugh when it rains and pours
I will enjoy the luxury of sleeping indoors and find humor in any difficult situation

I'm gonna let my old pain out the pasture Won't have to set your saddle no more
I will leave my troubles behind and no longer have to work for someone else

Gonna hang up my spurs and saddle And keep my fat feet right here on the floor
I will separate myself from the cowboy lifestyle and stay grounded

Oh, hang up them spurs and feel the rein
An expression of freedom from the burdens of cowboy life

I'm gonna drink my coffee from a mug Ain't gonna wrap my arms around no doggy's neck A pretty señorita is the only thing I'll pet
I will adopt a more civilized way of life, preferring to be with people instead of animals

I'm gonna live life large every morning noon and night And drive my old pickup in the town
I will enjoy life to the fullest and drive my pickup truck in the city

I'm gonna hang up my spurs and saddle, boys And dance the night away when the sun goes down, ooh
I will leave the cowboy life behind and enjoy nightlife with my friends

And dance the night away when the sun goes down, yeah
An expression of joy and freedom from the constraints of cowboy life

Writer(s): Ray Benson

Contributed by Ava S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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