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.
I
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
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We really had a time
We smoked a lot of cigarettes
And drank a lot of wine
And I couldn't see them to the door
But I guess they didn't mind
But it's starting to take more all the time
Now my days drag on much longer
So the nights seem shortened down
I spend a lot of time these days
Drinking in the town
And I ask about the friends I knew
Who I just can't seem to find
I do what I must to keep going
But it's starting to take more all the time
I had a love but she left me
I had a house that's been sold
I sometimes work for a dollar
To stay out of the cold
I'm afraid for my life that has started
Because there's nothing else I can find
I just do what I must to keep going
But it's starting to take more all the time
The lyrics to "I" by Asleep at the Wheel describe the struggles of a person who must constantly push themselves to keep going, despite the challenges they face. The song opens with the singer recounting a recent gathering of friends, noting that they smoked and drank heavily. The friends have since left, and the singer feels isolated and alone. The nights seem shorter, and the days longer, with drinking becoming a regular part of life. The singer even asks around for their old friends, but cannot find them.
The singer's struggles continue as they recount the loss of a lover and a home. They find themselves working low-paying jobs just to survive. They express fear for their life and a sense of hopelessness, as they have nothing else to turn to. They conclude that they will simply keep doing what they must to keep going, even though it is becoming increasingly difficult.
The lyrics to "I" paint a poignant picture of a person who feels worn out by the difficulties of everyday life. It offers a somber reflection on the nature of existence and how one must keep going in spite of everything. Overall, the interpretation of the song speaks to the human experience and the ways in which we must each struggle to keep on living.
Line by Line Meaning
A lot of my friends were over here
I had a gathering of friends at my place
We really had a time
We had a great time together
We smoked a lot of cigarettes
We smoked numerous cigarettes
And drank a lot of wine
We consumed a considerable amount of wine
And I couldn't see them to the door
I was so preoccupied I didn't see my friends off
But I guess they didn't mind
They probably didn't notice or mind that I didn't see them out
I just do what I must to keep going
I do what's necessary to carry on with life
But it's starting to take more all the time
It's getting more difficult to maintain, as time goes on
Now my days drag on much longer
My days seem to last forever
So the nights seem shortened down
The nights feel shorter by comparison
I spend a lot of time these days
I have more free time on my hands lately
Drinking in the town
I often go out drinking in the town
And I ask about the friends I knew
I inquire about my old friends
Who I just can't seem to find
I've been unable to locate them
I had a love but she left me
I was once in a relationship, but she left me
I had a house that's been sold
I used to own a house, but it's been sold
I sometimes work for a dollar
I do occasional low-paying work
To stay out of the cold
To avoid being homeless
I'm afraid for my life that has started
I'm fearful for my new life
Because there's nothing else I can find
Because I haven't been able to find anything else
I just do what I must to keep going
I do what's necessary to carry on with life
But it's starting to take more all the time
It's getting more difficult to maintain, as time goes on
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Leroy Preston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
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Ben - Moderator
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Eddie
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