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've Been Everywhere
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When along came a semi with a high and canvas covered load
"If you're going to Winnemucca, mack, with me you can ride"
So I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
Then I said,"Listen, bud, I've traveled every road in this here land"
I've been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
Been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo Minnesota
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo
Tocopilla, Barranquilla and Padilla, I'm a killer
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel, I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana
Monterey, Ferriday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Oskaloosa
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake
Grand Lake, Devil's Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond Du Lac, Davenport
Idaho, Jellicoe, Argentina, Diamantina
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado
Larrimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, Chatanika
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City
Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Across the deserts, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
(I know some place you haven't been)
I've been everywhere
The song "I've Been Everywhere" by Asleep at the Wheel is a ballad about a traveler telling his story of extensive travel to a stranger in a semi-truck. The song starts with the singer hiking along the dusty Winnemucca road and meeting a truck driver who offers him a ride. As they drive, the truck driver comments on the dust and sand on the road, to which the singer responds by saying that he has traveled every road in the United States. The song then lists several cities and countries that the singer has visited, showcasing his extensive travel experience.
The song is a tribute to the American wanderlust and the road trip tradition. The lyrics take listeners on a ride across America, through famous cities, including Reno, Chicago, Fargo, and many others. The song's lyrics celebrates the spirit of travel and adventure, emphasizing the singer's restless nature and insatiable curiosity.
The song has been covered by several other bands and singers, including Hank Snow, who first recorded the song in 1962. The song has also appeared in several movies, TV shows, and commercials, making it one of the most popular travel songs of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
was toting my pack along along the dusty Winnemucca road
I was carrying my backpack on the dusty road of Winnemucca
When along came a semi with a high and canvas covered load
A truck with a covered trailer came by.
"If you're going to Winnemucca, mack, with me you can ride"
The driver asked me if I needed a lift to Winnemucca.
So I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside
I got into the truck and made myself comfortable.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
The driver asked me if I had seen a lot of dusty and sandy roads.
Then I said,"Listen, bud, I've traveled every road in this here land"
I replied, "I've traveled every road in this country."
I've been everywhere, man
I've traveled everywhere.
Across the deserts bare, man
I've been to the hot and dry deserts.
I've breathed the mountain air, man
I've been to the mountains and breathed in the fresh air.
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've had my fair share of traveling.
Been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo Minnesota
I've been to Reno, Chicago, and Fargo, Minnesota.
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota
I've also been to Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, and Sarasota.
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma
I've been to Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, and Oklahoma.
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma
I've been to Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, and La Paloma.
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo
I've traveled to Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, and Amarillo.
Tocopilla, Barranquilla and Padilla, I'm a killer
I've even been to Tocopilla, Barranquilla, and Padilla.
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana
I've traveled to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, and Louisiana.
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana
I've also been to Washington, Houston, Kingston, and Texarkana.
Monterey, Ferriday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa
I've been to Monterey, Ferriday, Santa Fe, and Tallapoosa.
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Oskaloosa
I've been to Glen Rock, Black Rock, and Oskaloosa.
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake
I've traveled to Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, and Spirit Lake.
Grand Lake, Devil's Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake
I've been to Grand Lake, Devil's Lake, and Crater Lake.
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika
I've traveled to Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, and Ombabika.
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica
I've also been to Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, and Costa Rica.
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport
I've been to Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, and Shreveport.
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond Du Lac, Davenport
I've been to Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond Du Lac, and Davenport.
Idaho, Jellicoe, Argentina, Diamantina
I've traveled to Idaho, Jellicoe, Argentina, and Diamantina.
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean
I've even been to Pasadena and Catalina.
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado
I've traveled to Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, and Colorado.
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado
I've been to Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, and Eldorado.
Larrimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, Chatanika
I've traveled to Larrimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, and Chatanika.
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika
I've been to Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, and Opelika.
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City
I've traveled to Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, and Kansas City.
Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity
I've also been to Cedar City and Dodge City. What a shame you haven't been to these places.
(I know some place you haven't been)
I'm sure there are some places you haven't been to yet.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Geoff Mack
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.