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.
T-U-L-S-A Straight Ahead
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a detour sign on the road that winds
Out on the broad highway
But the place for me is the sign I see
T U L S A straight ahead
There's a railroad crossing and the bus-a rockin'
But I'll pass the time, till I see that sign
T U L S A straight ahead
I'm gonna settle down when I reach that city fair
I'm homeward bound and I know I'll soon be there
Where the tall corn grows and the black all flows
In old Oak, K L A
In the middle of it all I hear the call
T U L S A straight ahead
I'm gonna settle down when I reach that city fair
I'm homeward bound and I know I'll soon be there
Well, there's no use talkin', 'cause I'll get there walkin'
If there's is no other way
'Cause I read that sign on the old state line
T U L S A straight ahead
Tulsa Straight Ahead by Asleep at the Wheel is a classic country song that is all about the excitement of going home. The lyricist is driving on a long winding road and sees a detour sign. Despite the detour, the writer knows exactly where he wants to be: TULSA straight ahead. He is excited about the prospect of being back in his hometown, and the lyrics suggest that he's looking forward to settling down there.
One of the unique features of this song is its use of slang and colloquialisms to tell the story. The writer is on a bus, and he describes it as "rockin'" and "just-a takin' me away." He is also excited about the landscape around him, telling us about the tall corn and the black oil that flows in old Oak, K L A. The writer is very focused on reaching his destination and tells us that he'll get to Tulsa no matter what. He'll even walk if he has to.
Overall the song celebrates the joy of being home and the excitement of returning to a familiar place. It's an upbeat and catchy tune that uses a mix of traditional country elements, including fiddles and steel guitars, to create a sound that's both classic and contemporary.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a detour sign on the road that winds
Even though there's a detour on the road to my destination, I know where I want to go.
Out on the broad highway
The detour is on the main road, but I won't get lost because I am focused on my destination.
But the place for me is the sign I see
I am determined to go to Tulsa and won't let anything distract me.
T U L S A straight ahead
The sign for Tulsa is my beacon and I will follow it without fail.
There's a railroad crossing and the bus-a rockin'
I am currently on a bus that is jostling because we are crossing a railroad.
Just-a takin' me away
The bus is taking me away from my starting point and closer to Tulsa, which I am excited for.
But I'll pass the time, till I see that sign
Even though the journey is long, I will be patient until I see the sign for Tulsa.
I'm gonna settle down when I reach that city fair
I plan to make Tulsa my home once I arrive, as it is an attractive and desirable place to live.
I'm homeward bound and I know I'll soon be there
I feel a sense of belonging to Tulsa and am confident it will be my final destination.
Where the tall corn grows and the black all flows
Tulsa is known for its abundance of agriculture, with tall corn fields and black oil.
In old Oak, K L A
The town of Oak is nearby, which is also a place of interest in the area.
In the middle of it all I hear the call
I feel a strong pull or attraction to Tulsa, as it is at the center of everything I desire.
Well, there's no use talkin', 'cause I'll get there walkin'
I don't need anyone to convince me to go to Tulsa or help me get there, I am determined to go on my own and will walk if I have to.
If there's is no other way
I am willing to do whatever it takes to get to Tulsa and won't let any obstacle stop me.
'Cause I read that sign on the old state line
I saw the sign for Tulsa on the state line and feel a strong connection to it, as though it was meant for me.
T U L S A straight ahead
The sign for Tulsa is my guide and I will not deviate from my path towards it.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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.