He was also honored by the Man in Black with an invitation to record songs at Cash's own home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Two other iconic music legends, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, were also early believers who were instrumental in helping Stuart get his start.
With the release of their critically acclaimed debut CD"Walk Alone" in 1999, the Bastard Sons quickly proved they were no novelty act. With strong songwriting and great musicianship, the Sons' quickly jumped to the forefront of the growing Alternative Country Scene. No stranger to the road, their constant touring and hard work have built the band a loyal grass roots following both in the States and abroad.
Whether performing in front of thousands at a Festival in the US or Europe, or playing all night in a Texas dance hall, for Stuart it’s all about respect. "The Bastard Sons never were, and never will be, a Johnny Cash tribute band." It's always been about honoring the musical ideals of our heroes, and paying respect to the originality, integrity, and independence that made those artists who they are. Our goal was always to find our own road, and to continue to keep the sounds and traditions of American Roots Music alive.
Stuart and the Bastard Sons have released 5 outstanding CD’s: Walk Alone, Distance Between, Mile Markers, Bend in the Road, and their latest New Old Story. Their music has been featured in Film, Television, and compilation CD's around the world.
Highway Bound
Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
there's been an engine inside of me
To rock n roll and ramble
was an endless aching need
Ground my bones on the twisted roads
and was born in the fire and steel
I drug my soul to parts unknown
just to prove that I was real
Well there ain't a stretch of highway
there ain't a little town
Ain't a country road or a city street
that these wheels they ain't rolled down
I loved and lost on the twisted roads
and was born in the fire and steel
I sang the blues and paid my dues
just to prove that I was real
Oh it's a beautiful sound
where the road meets the rubber
and the wheels turn round
Don't try to stop me I can't slow down
I'm a wild one baby and I'm highway bound
Going down any road I feel
watching the world through my windshield
I got one eye on the rear view
and a long way to go
I got the radio blasting
I got the wind in my hair
I got my eyes on the horizon
I'm gonna find what's waiting out there
Oh it's a beautiful sound
where the road meets the rubber
and the wheels turn round
Don't try to stop me I can't slow down
I'm a wild one baby and I'm highway bound
The song “Highway Bound” by Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash is a story about a man who was born to rock and roll and travel. He talks about the inferno within him, the need to travel endlessly, and how he was born out of fire and steel. The man sings about having been on twisted roads, through towns big and small, and on highways, and how he loved and lost, and sang blues to prove that he was real. He is now watching the world through his windshield and has one eye on the rearview, which symbolizes that he is constantly moving forward, leaving the past behind.
The traveler describes his love for the sound of the road, where the rubber meets the road beneath the car’s wheels. He emphasizes that he is unstoppable, wild, and highway-bound. His journey is a constant search for what's waiting for him down the road. He has the radio blasting, wind in his hair, and his eyes fixed on the horizon. The lyrics of the song tell a story of a person who is not only physically but also mentally bound for the highway. His search for meaning is not confined within the boundaries of society or city life but out on the open road, where his spirit can roam.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since I could remember
Starting from the earliest memories, there has been an urge within me that has kept me going
there's been an engine inside of me
I have an inherent drive to keep pushing forward, it's a part of me
To rock n roll and ramble
My passion is to live a carefree life with music and travel as my companions, that's what sets me free
was an endless aching need
I have a constant longing to keep following my dreams, it's an unquenchable thirst
Ground my bones on the twisted roads
I have been through many challenging and treacherous paths that have tested my endurance
and was born in the fire and steel
I have endured many hardships and experiences that have shaped me into who I am, I am strong as steel
I drug my soul to parts unknown
I have ventured into unknown territory, taking risks that have tested my character and spirit
just to prove that I was real
I have faced many challenges that people said I couldn't do, but I did them anyway to show that I am alive and doing what I love
Well there ain't a stretch of highway
I have covered a lot of miles on the road and there are few places where I haven't been
there ain't a little town
I have been to many small towns that are overlooked by others but are important to me because of the experiences I had there
Ain't a country road or a city street
I have driven on all kinds of roads, exploring different parts of the world that have captivated me with their beauty
that these wheels they ain't rolled down
My wheels have gone to many places and I am proud of the journey I have taken
I loved and lost on the twisted roads
I have had relationships that were tested by the unpredictable nature of travel and experienced heartbreak, but I don't regret them
I sang the blues and paid my dues
I have paid my way in life, through the struggles that come with travel, all while keeping the music alive and singing the blues
Oh it's a beautiful sound
The sound of the road, engine and wheels turning, is music to my ears
where the road meets the rubber
The distinct sound created when driving on the road is a sweet melody to me
and the wheels turn round
Watching the wheels turn as I drive gives me a sense of satisfaction that I am moving forward
Don't try to stop me I can't slow down
I am fueled by my passion and there's nothing that can slow me down, I am unstoppable
I'm a wild one baby and I'm highway bound
I am a free spirit, always on the move, and I am headed to the next destination on the open road
Going down any road I feel
I am not bound to any specific route, I follow my instincts and the open road where it takes me
watching the world through my windshield
I am constantly taking in the scenery and beauty of the world through my windshield
I got one eye on the rear view
I am always aware of where I have been, but I don't dwell in the past or let it slow me down
and a long way to go
I have many miles to go on my journey and I am excited for what's ahead
I got the radio blasting
I love to listen to music while driving, it's the perfect additive to my journey
I got the wind in my hair
The wind in my hair gives me a sense of freedom and adventure
I got my eyes on the horizon
I am always looking towards the future, and what is beyond the now
I'm gonna find what's waiting out there
I am eager for what the universe has in store for me and I am ready to explore every opportunity
Contributed by Liliana J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.