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.
Fan It
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
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Better go out and get yourself a five cent fan
And fan it, fan it, you gotta fan it and cool it
Honey till the cows come home
Just met myself a new girl and her name was Sue
She said, "To make love to you, honey tell you what to do"
You gotta fan it, fan it, you gotta fan it and cool it
My mamma's in the kitchen, I just heard that back door slam
Come out of that kitchen honey, quit scorching that ham
And let's just fan it, fan it, you gotta fan it and cool it
Honey till the cows come home
Well, I got six months in jail, my back turned to the wall
Fannin' that thing was the cause of it all
So fan it, fan it, gotta fan it and cool it
Honey till the cows come home
The lyrics of "Fan It" by Asleep at the Wheel describe various situations where fanning - whether literally or metaphorically - is a key theme. The opening lines address the need to cool down when feeling overwhelmed by the heat of the sun. The suggestion to get a simple five cent fan serves as a symbol for finding a simple solution to a problem. The repetition of the phrase "fan it, you gotta fan it and cool it" emphasizes the importance of taking action to address challenges and find relief, even if it's just temporary.
The introduction of a new character, Sue, adds a playful and slightly suggestive tone to the lyrics. Sue's advice on making love is linked to the idea of fanning, implying that taking things slowly and with care is essential in such intimate situations. The playful and romantic nature of this verse suggests that fanning can also be an expression of affection and desire, not just a practical tool for cooling down.
The third verse introduces a domestic scene with the singer's mother in the kitchen. The use of the phrase "quit scorching that ham" is a humorous way of saying to take it easy and not work too hard. The idea of fanning as a way to cool things down applies not only to physical temperature but also to emotions and stress. By encouraging the mother to take a break and fan it with him, the lyrics convey a sense of camaraderie and solidarity in facing life's challenges together.
The final verse takes on a more serious tone as the singer reflects on past mistakes that led to him spending time in jail. Fanning, which could symbolize either a literal act or a metaphorical way of dealing with issues, is presented as a cause of trouble in this case. The consequences of not being able to cool down or control one's actions are highlighted, suggesting that impulsivity and lack of restraint can lead to negative outcomes. The repetition of the phrase "fan it, you gotta fan it and cool it" throughout the song reinforces the idea that taking a moment to collect oneself and approach situations with a calmer mindset is crucial for navigating life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
If the sun's too hot cool it if you can
When things get overwhelming, try to find a way to alleviate the heat and pressure.
Better go out and get yourself a five cent fan
Sometimes a simple solution is all you need to make things better.
And fan it, fan it, you gotta fan it and cool it
Take action to address the issues and keep yourself calm and collected.
Honey till the cows come home
Continue taking care of yourself and your surroundings for as long as necessary.
Just met myself a new girl and her name was Sue
Recently encountered someone new by the name of Sue.
She said, 'To make love to you, honey tell you what to do'
She shared her insight on how to connect intimately with you.
My mamma's in the kitchen, I just heard that back door slam
My mother is in the kitchen, and I heard the door close abruptly behind her.
Come out of that kitchen honey, quit scorching that ham
Leave the kitchen and stop overcooking the ham.
Well, I got six months in jail, my back turned to the wall
Ended up spending six months in jail due to the consequences of my actions.
Fannin' that thing was the cause of it all
All the trouble started because of fanning something.
So fan it, fan it, gotta fan it and cool it
Continue to take care of yourself and manage your emotions to avoid further trouble.
Honey till the cows come home
Continue with this approach until the situation improves.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: F JAXON
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
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.