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.
Blues For Dixie
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The queen of the delta land
Then you'll understand why I've got the blues for Dixie
If you've ever been to Tennessee when
Those old cotton fields were white in pale moon light
Then you've had the blues for Dixie
If you've got a baby in Birmingham
Maybe you'll know the reason why
That I'm gonna be blue till I'm on that choo-choo
Headin' south again, there goes that train
That's leavin' me blue for Dixie
The lyrics of "Blues for Dixie" by Asleep At The Wheel express a feeling of nostalgia and longing for warmer, southern states of America. The song mentions the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama, and the romantic, poetic descriptions of these places imply that the singer has experienced them firsthand. The opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, expressing a deep longing for Dixie, the southern region of the US that was known for its cotton plantations, warm climate, and historical significance.
The second stanza leans more towards a romantic relationship, using the image of a lover's arms to represent the allure of the southern lifestyle. The mention of Birmingham is noteworthy because it is a city that was historically significant in the civil rights movement. This could suggest that the song has a deeper message about the importance of recognizing and preserving the cultural heritage of the south. Overall, the lyrics use vivid imagery and nostalgia to evoke a longing for a simpler, warmer time, and a celebration of southern culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, if you've ever seen that ole Mississippi
If you have witnessed the beauty of the Mississippi River
The queen of the delta land
The river is the ruling feature of this region
Then you'll understand why I've got the blues for Dixie
The allure of the South has left a lasting impression on me
If you've ever been to Tennessee when
If you have had the privilege of visiting Tennessee during the time when...
Those old cotton fields were white in pale moon light
...the cotton fields were lit up by the pale light of the moon,
Then you've had the blues for Dixie
You too have experienced the melancholic longing for the South
If you've seen the glamor of an Alabama moon shinin' in the sky
If you have beheld the splendor of a moonlit Alabama sky
If you've got a baby in Birmingham
If you have a significant other in Birmingham
Maybe you'll know the reason why
Perhaps you can relate to my feelings of nostalgia
That I'm gonna be blue till I'm on that choo-choo
I will continue to feel melancholic until I board a train
Headin' south again, there goes that train
That takes me back to the Southern states I long for
That's leavin' me blue for Dixie
My heart is heavy with longing for the South
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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
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dubmoth76
Beautiful rendition...
Dianne Bunnell
Never heard this one .A Great one.
Tony Marcus
Johnny Gimble on fiddle, Eldon Shamblin on Strat, and Leon Rausch (I believe) on vocals.
Ronnie Bishop
Exactly right.
XOkie
Herb Remington on steel also.
Dan Marino
Western swing bliss.
Dennis Schell
Classic Wheel.... 😎