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.
Daddy's Advice
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About that knock-down drag-out fight
That you said you've had over me
Was he mad like a dog and a growling too
Why did you defend yourself
With those pretty red shoes
Now tell your baby what did your daddy do
When some drunk came up
And said you were outside crying
I knew you couldn't get far
I looked in my car
And you were on the back sit dying
Your hair was mashed
Your brand new dress was ripped
Looked like your daddy had really flipped
And the tears
Were rolling outta your eyes
Then you held me tight
Through the whole night
But you said you'd go back
At the cracked daylight
Oh, tell your baby
What's your daddy's advice
Tell me Mom about your daddy's advice
I can't stand one more lovesick night
And I don't like the way
That he does you
If you tell me Momma when you think it's smart
I'll put the bullet through your daddy's heart
I'll kill your daddy
What's your baby do
I'll kill your daddy
What's your baby do
The lyrics of Asleep at the Wheel's Daddy's Advice narrate a story of a woman who is caught between her father and her lover. She is torn between her father's advice and her love for her partner. The first verse talks about the father's advice, which the woman has received, and the fight that the two men had over her. Despite the woman defending herself with her pretty red shoes, the question remains about what her father would do. The second verse is a flashback to a violent incident where the woman's father beat her up, and she turned to her lover for comfort. The song ends with a twisted and violent turn, with the lover threatening to kill the woman's father.
The song speaks about the conflicting emotions that the woman is going through, caught between love and loyalty towards her family. The father's advice seems to be in conflict with the woman's feelings, and this makes her question her actions. The song captures the emotions of betrayal, love, and loyalty that make up complex human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me mom about your daddy's advice
Please share some wisdom that your father imparted on you
About that knock-down drag-out fight
Can you describe the physical altercation that occurred?
That you said you've had over me
The fight was about me? Please explain further.
Was he mad like a dog and a growling too
Was your father extremely angry and barking like a dog?
Why did you defend yourself
What led you to defend yourself, and how did you do so?
With those pretty red shoes
Did you use your red shoes as a weapon, or did they just happen to be on your feet at the time?
Now tell your baby what did your daddy do
I'm eager to know what actions your father took during the fight.
Well, I was down at the club
Let me tell you what happened from my perspective.
When some drunk came up
While I was there, an intoxicated person approached me.
And said you were outside crying
They informed me that you were outside, upset and in tears.
I knew you couldn't get far
I realized you wouldn't have gone very far from the location where we were previously together.
I looked in my car
I checked the interior of my vehicle to see if you were there.
And you were on the back seat dying
When I found you, you were lying on the rear seat in a state of distress.
Your hair was mashed
Your hair was disheveled and messy from the altercation.
Your brand new dress was ripped
Your clothing had been torn or damaged as a result of the fight.
Looked like your daddy had really flipped
It appeared as though your father had completely lost control during the conflict.
And the tears
You were visibly upset and crying.
Were rolling outta your eyes
Tears were streaming down your face.
Then you held me tight
You clung to me tightly for comfort.
Through the whole night
You stayed with me for the remainder of the night.
But you said you'd go back
Despite the incident, you expressed intent to return to your father's care.
At the crack of daylight
You planned to leave first thing in the morning.
Oh, tell your baby
Please share more details with me.
What's your daddy's advice
What counsel did your father give you about this situation?
I can't stand one more lovesick night
I don't want to experience heartbreak anymore.
And I don't like the way that he does you
Your father's treatment of you is concerning to me.
If you tell me Momma when you think it's smart
If you give me permission, I will take violent action against your father.
I'll put the bullet through your daddy's heart
I am willing to use deadly force to protect you from your father's abuse.
I'll kill your daddy
I am serious about taking action against your father.
What's your baby do
What do you think about my offer to protect you in this way?
Writer(s): L. Preston
Contributed by Anthony J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
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Eddie
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