Starting his career on the Television show Designing Women, Engvall hit his acclaimed first "big break" when he went on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and from there won the American Comedy Awards Comic of the Year, landing then on the television show Delta Burke, which lasted for one year, and from then on producing his albums. Before becoming a well-known comedian, Engvall joined the popular talent show Star Search.
Engvall's career toiled in relative obscurity for several years, hitting a low point while starring as CHUD #14 in the cult film C.H.U.D, until he turned his most famous routine, "Here's Your Sign," into a song by country music star Travis Tritt. The song was a hit, catapulting Engvall to comedic stardom. More recently, he recorded a Comedy Central special and starred with fellow comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, and Ron White in the hit redneck-themed stand-up movie Blue Collar Comedy Tour (as well as its sequels and spin-off TV show). The Blue Collar group has been called the redneck Rat Pack. Foxworthy is both the leader and most famous of the group, like the Rat Pack's Frank Sinatra. Engvall equates to Dean Martin, since he is the best friend of the leader, and is arguably the second-most famous member of the group.
He is married to his wife Gail since 1982 and has a daughter named Emily, a junior at the University of Puget Sound, as well as a son named Travis.
After Twenty Years of Marriage
Bill Engvall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is relegated to a member of a higher class than mine
To determine and direct the lives of family men who
Bear the burden of living up to a standard
That doesn't exist in 1999
Who's gonna save us from this lonely picket line?
Ten years of service but I'm still not worth your time
Times maybe changing but I'll never leave behind the hopes
Because if history repeats itself and time will surely tell
What goes around is gonna come around
And you'll know our pain too well now
Who's gonna save us from this lonely picket line?
Ten years of service but I'm still not worth your time
And I've seen men give their lives
And heard the stories that they tell of
How they labored for this company which sold it's soul to hell
The status of our future in both past and present time
Is relegated to a member of a higher class than mine
To determine and direct the lives of family men who
Bear the burden of living up to a standard
That doesn't exist in 1999
Who's gonna save us from this lonely picket line
Ten years of service but I'm still not worth your time
And I've seen men give their lives
And heard the stories that they tell of
How they labored for this company which sold it's soul to hell
Who's gonna save us from this lonely picket line
Ten years of service but I'm still not worth your time
The lyrics of Bill Engvall's song "After Twenty Years of Marriage" convey a sense of frustration that comes with being a family man in a world controlled by higher-ups who don't understand the struggles of the common man. In lines such as "The status of our future in both past and present time/Is relegated to a member of a higher class than mine/To determine and direct the lives of family men," Engvall is expressing the idea that those with power are dictating the lives of those who are just trying to making a living for themselves and their families. The burden of keeping up with societal expectations and standards is also touched upon, with Engvall lamenting that the standard doesn't exist in 1999.
The theme of being undervalued and not appreciated despite one's hard work is also present in the song. Engvall sings about how he has given ten years of service to his company but still feels like he's not worth anyone's time. His frustration is palpable in lines such as "Who's gonna save us from this lonely picket line/Ten years of service but I'm still not worth your time." The song suggests that there are greater forces at play that are beyond the control of the common man, and that the struggles of the present will only be fully understood in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
The status of our future in both past and present time
Our future is determined by those in power, both in the past and present.
Is relegated to a member of a higher class than mine
Those in power belong to a social class higher than mine.
To determine and direct the lives of family men who
They have the power to control and direct the lives of family men.
Bear the burden of living up to a standard
Family men must carry the burden of meeting an unrealistic standard.
That doesn't exist in 1999
This standard is impossible to achieve in the current year.
Who's gonna save us from this lonely picket line?
We feel isolated and helpless in our struggle.
Ten years of service but I'm still not worth your time
Despite ten years of service, our efforts are not valued or recognized.
Times maybe changing but I'll never leave behind the hopes
Although times are changing, we still cling to hopes for a better future.
And thoughts I have of better days for families such as mine
We dream of a brighter future for families like ours.
Because if history repeats itself and time will surely tell
We fear that history will repeat itself and our situation will not improve.
What goes around is gonna come around
Those in power will face the consequences of their actions.
And you'll know our pain too well now
Those in power will finally understand the pain and struggles we endure.
And I've seen men give their lives
I have witnessed men sacrifice everything for their jobs.
And heard the stories that they tell of
I have listened to their tales of hardship and perseverance.
How they labored for this company which sold it's soul to hell
They worked tirelessly for a company that has no values or morals.
Who's gonna save us from this lonely picket line
We continue to feel helpless and alone in our struggle.
Ten years of service but I'm still not worth your time
Our efforts and contributions are still undervalued and overlooked.
And I've seen men give their lives
I have seen firsthand the sacrifices made for our jobs.
And heard the stories that they tell of
I have listened to the tales of hardship and perseverance from others.
How they labored for this company which sold it's soul to hell
They worked hard for a company that has abandoned all sense of morality.
Who's gonna save us from this lonely picket line
We still seek salvation from our plight.
Ten years of service but I'm still not worth your time
Our dedication and loyalty have gone unrecognized for far too long.
Writer(s): William Engvall Copyright: Twin Spurs Publishing
Contributed by Parker D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@winonamassingill7895
Poor Gale, she’s gotta be a saint. 😇😇😇🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😂😂😂
@andrea4246
Highest respect to Bill for keeping the laughs coming all these years and still keeping his act Clean of cussing and dirt mouth dialogue. He's great.
@Dookie-pm2jd
He's absolutely hilarious. I'm a huge enthusiast with comedians and I think he's probably the most underrated one I've ever seen.
@briwanderz
i would say Brian Regan is the most underrated.. Bill Engvall is slightly funnier, but he is not as underrated because he is actually pretty well known.
@Dookie-pm2jd
Brian McDubb tell that to the young generation. My cousin who's in his teens has no idea who he is. Never heard of him
@briwanderz
@@Dookie-pm2jd wow that's pretty sad.. i do talk to some "youngsters" and most of them are not really familiar with Bill Engvall, but they have heard of him.. but Brian Regan nobody i work with seems to know. :(
@derickfeigum1467
I agree
@brotherchrisrco1125
Yeah, it was like, where did he come from...
@user-cc6ud4mt2f
Love Bill and respect his clean comedy. His wholesome dialogs are great entertainment and everyone can relate! Just great!
@tannercook8095
Good ol’ Bill is the absolute BEST COMEDIAN of all time!