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.
Rockin' Rodeo
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold on a minute
Let it go
First you learn to ride an open wrestle demon steers
Than you start to rodeo for fun, and girls, and beers
Pretty soon, you're out there riding in your local county fair
Doing things that other folks would never even dare
It's that hard hip-on-side
Split 'n' driven rockin' rollin' rodeo
It's the smell of the salt dust and
Tension in the air
It's pressure from your buddies on
The answer to a dare
That keeps you on the road now
Nearly ten months of the year
Throwing all the wives in the broken
And a man who knows no fear
It's that heart stopping, neck-popping
Real and rockin' rollin' rodeo
Hold on tight now, this could be the night
You latch on to a winner
No more eating beans for dinner
Let her rip, let her rock, let her roll
There's nothing like
A riven rockin' rollin' rodeo
Ooh-ha!
Hold on tight now, this could be the night
You latch on to a winner
No more eating beans for dinner
Let her rip, let her rock, let her roll
There's nothing like
A riven rockin' rollin' rodeo
One more go 'round
Adios vaquero
The lyrics to Asleep at the Wheel's song Rockin' Rodeo paint a picture of the thrills and dangers of rodeo riding. The opening lines suggest that rodeo riding is a skill that is honed over time, with the rider progressing from wrestling demon steers to competing for fun, fame, and fortune. The lyrics capture the sense of excitement and risk that accompanies rodeo riding, with references to the smell of salt dust, the tension in the air, and the pressure from friends to take on more impressive challenges.
The song goes on to describe the lifestyle of a rodeo rider, who spends ten months of the year on the road, leaving behind wives and other loved ones to pursue their passion for competition. The chorus of the song emphasizes the intense thrill of the ride, with references to heart-stopping, neck-popping action that defines the real and rockin' rollin' rodeo.
Overall, the lyrics of Rockin' Rodeo are a celebration of the grit, determination, and daring of rodeo riders, capturing the spirit of the Wild West and the thrill of competition in equal measure.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh-ha!
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement
Hold on a minute
Wait a moment before moving on
Let it go
Release any inhibitions or reservations
First you learn to ride an open wrestle demon steers
To participate in rodeo, one must learn to ride and control unruly mechanical bulls
Than you start to rodeo for fun, and girls, and beers
Rodeo is an enjoyable activity where flirting and drinking are part of the experience
Pretty soon, you're out there riding in your local county fair
With practice and experience, one progresses to riding animals in more public and competitive events
Doing things that other folks would never even dare
Rodeo involves daring feats that many people wouldn't attempt
It's that hard hip-on-side
A challenging riding technique that requires skill and balance
Split 'n' driven rockin' rollin' rodeo
An exciting, high-energy rodeo event where riders must hold on tight
It's the smell of the salt dust and
The unique scent of the dusty rodeo arena
Tension in the air
A feeling of excitement mixed with nerves
It's pressure from your buddies on
Friends encouraging each other to take on tougher challenges
The answer to a dare
The motivation to prove oneself by taking on a daunting task
That keeps you on the road now
A competitive and social atmosphere that keeps participants returning to the rodeo circuit
Nearly ten months of the year
Rodeo season is a year-round commitment for dedicated riders
Throwing all the wives in the broken
Divorce rates can be high among rodeo participants
And a man who knows no fear
Successful rodeo riders must have courage and confidence
It's that heart stopping, neck-popping
Risks involved in rodeo can lead to thrilling and dangerous moments
Real and rockin' rollin' rodeo
An authentic and lively rodeo competition
Hold on tight now, this could be the night
In rodeo, there's always potential for high stakes and intense competition
You latch on to a winner
Riders aim to hold onto high-scoring animals during their ride
No more eating beans for dinner
A successful ride can lead to better financial outcomes for riders
Let her rip, let her rock, let her roll
Riders should give their all during their ride
There's nothing like
Rodeo is a unique and thrilling experience
A riven rockin' rollin' rodeo
An exciting and spirited rodeo competition
One more go 'round
One more trip around the rodeo circuit
Adios vaquero
A farewell to the rodeo cowboy
Writer(s): Ray Benson
Contributed by Adalyn Y. 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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