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.
Coast to Coast
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
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Where she used to lay her head
Or the front room by the fire
Where we once passed the night instead
Though I have left these rooms
And gone as far as I could drive
Even in the motels along U S 405
It's a memory not much more than five feet tall
But the shadow that it's casting seem to fall
Coast to coast and wall to wall
California seems like someplace I could catch my breath
Get my mind off someone who still worries me to death
Even though she's gone her memory unlocks every door
Haunts me now in places I have never seen before
Coast to coast and wall to wall
It's a memory not much more than five feet tall
But the shadow that it's casting seem to fall
Coast to coast and wall to wall
I'm rolling down the highway or strolling down the hall
When things are going my way and then a memory comes to call
Coast to coast and wall to wall
It's a memory not much more than five feet tall
But the shadow that it's casting seem to fall
Coast to coast and wall to wall
The song "Coast to Coast" by Asleep At The Wheel is about a lingering memory of a past relationship that follows the singer wherever he goes, even as he travels across the country. He reflects on how it's not just the physical spaces where they spent time together (such as the bedroom or front room) that remind him of her, but also the new places he visits (such as motels along the highway) that evoke her memory. He eventually lands in California, hoping for a fresh start and a chance to move on from her, but finds that she still haunts him even there. The chorus repeats the refrain "coast to coast and wall to wall," emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of this memory that affects him no matter where he is.
The lyrics suggest a sense of being trapped in the past, unable to shake off the influence of this relationship and move forward. The use of the verb "haunt" and the metaphor of the memory casting a shadow indicate a feeling of being haunted or weighed down by something that cannot be escaped. The repetition of the phrase "not much more than five feet tall" adds a sense of diminishment, as if this memory should not be as powerful as it is, yet it looms over the singer everywhere he goes.
Overall, "Coast to Coast" is a poignant reflection on the lasting impact of a past relationship and the struggle to let go and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not just the bedroom
The memories of her do not just exist in her bedroom.
Where she used to lay her head
She used to sleep in the bedroom where memories of her linger.
Or the front room by the fire
She used to spend quality time in the front room with the fire.
Where we once passed the night instead
She used to share moments with someone who is gone now.
Though I have left these rooms
Despite moving away from these rooms.
And gone as far as I could drive
He has gone very far to forget the memories but can’t.
Even in the motels along U S 405
Even staying in motels along the highway he can't forget.
Coast to coast and wall to wall
Everywhere he goes, he is reminded of the five feet tall memory.
It's a memory not much more than five feet tall
The memory of her is not big, no more than five feet tall.
But the shadow that it's casting seem to fall
The memory of her is casting a shadow over him.
California seems like someplace I could catch my breath
California seems like a place where he can get a break.
Get my mind off someone who still worries me to death
A place where he can forget about someone who still worries him.
Even though she's gone her memory unlocks every door
Even though she is not present, he is still reminded of her everywhere he goes.
Haunts me now in places I have never seen before
The memory of her is haunting him even in places he has never been.
I'm rolling down the highway or strolling down the hall
Whether he is on the highway or in a hall of a building.
When things are going my way and then a memory comes to call
When he is having a good day suddenly a memory of her comes to mind.
Coast to coast and wall to wall
Again, reminding us that he is reminded of her wherever he goes.
It's a memory not much more than five feet tall
Despite the memory not being all-consuming, it is still haunting him.
But the shadow that it's casting seem to fall
The memory of her is still present and affects him significantly.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FREDERIC O. III KNIPE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
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Eddie
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