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.
Billy Dale
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember your words
When you said that forever you′d love me
Now happiness is gone
Memories linger on
From the chains of our love I can't be free
Sweet as the morning
Ours was a love no words could tell
I love you
Oh, how I miss you!
Won′t you come back, Billy Dale?
Won't you come back, Billy?
Since we've said goodbye
I′m so blue I could cry
Happiness is a thing of the past
And days without you
Make my life oh so blue
And always in my heart our love will last
Sweet as the morning
Smile like the sunshine
Ours was a love no words could tell
I love you
And oh, how I miss you
Won′t you come back, Billy Dale?
Oh, won't you come back, Billy Dale?
Oh, woah
The song "Billy Dale" by Asleep At The Wheel tells a story of a woman who is lamenting the loss of her relationship with Billy Dale. She remembers the promises he made to love her forever, but now she is left with only memories of their love. She finds herself longing for the happiness she once had with him and unable to move on. She describes their love as sweet as the morning and with a smile like the sunshine. However, now that he is gone, she is left blue and unable to find happiness without him.
The lyrics of this song evoke a sense of loss and longing for a love that is no longer there. The woman in the song seems to be holding onto the past and unable to let go of her love for Billy Dale. The use of imagery with the mocking birds and the description of their love as sweet as the morning and with a smile like the sunshine creates a vivid and emotional picture of their relationship. The repetition of the plea for Billy Dale to come back emphasizes the depth of the woman's desire to be reunited with him.
Line by Line Meaning
As I hear the mocking birds
The sound of the mocking birds reminds me of you and your past promises.
I remember your words
I am reminded of what you said to me before.
When you said that forever you'd love me
You promised that you will love me forever.
Now happiness is gone
There is no happiness left in my life.
Memories linger on
The memories of our love continue to stay with me.
From the chains of our love I can't be free
Despite the pain, I can't seem to move on from our past love.
Sweet as the morning
Our love was as sweet as the morning.
Smile like the sunshine
Your smile could light up my day like sunshine.
Ours was a love no words could tell
Our love was beyond words that can describe.
I love you
I still love you deeply.
Oh, how I miss you!
I feel deeply how much I miss you.
Won't you come back, Billy Dale?
I am asking if you can come back to me, Billy Dale.
Since we've said goodbye
Since we parted our ways.
I'm so blue I could cry
I'm very sad that I could not help but cry.
Happiness is a thing of the past
I no longer feel happy anymore since our separation.
And days without you
Days that passed without you by my side.
Make my life oh so blue
My life feels dull and colorless without you.
And always in my heart our love will last
Our love still remains in my heart even if we're apart.
Oh, won't you come back, Billy Dale?
I still hope that you can come back to me, Billy Dale.
Oh, woah
An expression of sadness and longing.
Writer(s): Billy Jack Wills
Contributed by Kennedy D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
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Ben - Moderator
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Eddie
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