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.
Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
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And Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
And if you ever saw him
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Play in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history!
The lyrics of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" paint a story of acceptance and overcoming adversity. It starts by listing all the well-known reindeer, highlighting their names and roles. However, the lyrics then shift focus to Rudolph, described here as the "most famous reindeer of all."
Rudolph is introduced as having a red shiny nose that glows, making him unique among the other reindeer. This uniqueness becomes a source of laughter and name-calling by the other reindeer, who exclude poor Rudolph from participating in their reindeer games. The lyrics capture the pain and isolation Rudolph experiences due to being different from his peers.
However, everything changes on one foggy Christmas Eve when Santa Claus himself approaches Rudolph. Recognizing the potential of Rudolph's bright nose, Santa asks him to guide his sleigh that night. This moment of validation and acceptance from Santa is pivotal in the story, as it marks a turning point for Rudolph.
The final stanza reveals that after Rudolph saves Christmas by guiding Santa's sleigh through the fog, the other reindeer's opinions of him drastically change. They now love and celebrate him, shouting with joy and acknowledging Rudolph's significance. The song concludes with the assurance that Rudolph's legacy will go down in history. It subtly suggests that although Rudolph was initially misunderstood and mistreated, his resilience and unique qualities ultimately earned him love, admiration, and a revered place among the reindeer.
Line by Line Meaning
You know Dasher and Dancer
You are familiar with the reindeer named Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen
Also, there are two other reindeer named Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
Additionally, there are two more reindeer known as Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen
Moreover, there are two further reindeer called Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
However, do you remember
The most famous reindeer of all
The reindeer who gained the highest level of popularity among all
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Rudolph is the name of this particular reindeer with a red nose
Had a very shiny nose.
His nose was exceptionally bright and glowing
And if you ever saw him
And if you ever had the opportunity to witness him
You would even say it glows
You would even comment on the radiance of his nose
All of the other reindeer
Every single one of the remaining reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
Used to ridicule him and call him offensive names
They never let poor Rudolph
They never allowed the unfortunate Rudolph
Play in any reindeer games
To participate in any games that reindeer engage in
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
However, during a Christmas Eve characterized by dense fog
Santa came to say
Santa Claus arrived to convey a message
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
"Rudolph, with your exceptionally bright nose
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Could you please act as the guide for my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer loved him
Subsequently, all the reindeer developed affection for him
As they shouted out with glee
Expressing their happiness, they shouted with joy
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
They referred to him as Rudolph, the reindeer with a red nose
You'll go down in history!
They assured him that he would be remembered for generations to come!
Lyrics Β© DistroKid, ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
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Ben - Moderator
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Eddie
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