Billy first became known to fans in the early 1990s with his appearance on "Star Search." He later earned a recording contract with Liberty Records and rose to national stardom with a string of Top 10 hits on Billboard magazine's country singles chart. His debut song, 1991's "Only Here For a Little While," rose into the Top 5, while the follow up, "Somewhere in My Broken Heart," repeated the feat. "Somewhere in My Broken Heart" won the 1992 Academy of Country Music award for Song of the Year; he also took home the ACM's New Male Vocalist award..
Dean's string of hits continued in the early- and mid-1990s, with songs like "You Don't Count the Cost" (1991); "Only the Wind," "Billy the Kid" and "If There Hadn't Been You" (all 1992); "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark" (1993); "We Just Disagree" (a remake of the 1970s Dave Mason hit) (1993); "It's What I Do" and "That Girl's Been Spying on Me" (both 1996).
In 1991 Dean wrote and sang the theme song to the ABC animated television series Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa. It is titled "Up on the Mesa".
During the late 1990s, his career slowed down a bit, although he made several television appearances, including "One Life to Live" and "Wings." He and Alison Krauss sang backup on Kenny Rogers' 2000 single "Buy Me a Rose". At the time, the song made Kenny the oldest artist to score a country #1; it also marked the only time that Dean reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
In 2004, Dean was signed to Asylum Curb, where he began a comeback with the single "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (a remake of John Denver's classic). In early 2005, he released the album Let Them Be Little, which featured both "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" and the title track. "Let Them Be Little" was co-written by Richie McDonald, who at the time was the lead singer of Lonestar; Lonestar also recorded the song on their 2005 album Let's Be Us Again. Dean's version of the song became his first Top Ten hit on the country charts in nearly nine years.
Only The Wind
Billy Dean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard the screen door slam and I was overcome with fright
So afraid that someone bad was trying to get in
And momma came to comfort me and said
"It's only the wind, and nothing more
Not the end of the world knockin' at the door
So close your eyes and dream again
Believe me, It's only the wind"
Everytime I've had to face a bitter storm of life
Those words of comfort were my shelter in the night
But tonight I don't believe I'm able to pretend
The storm that you and I are up against is only the wind
I can hear you downstairs and you're just about to leave
There's nothing else that I can do to keep you here with me, no
And now the screen door's slammin' and I'm frightened once again
What I wouldn't give if I could be convinced
It's only the wind, and nothing more
Not the end of the world walking out the door
I wish that I could dream again
Believin' it's only the wind
oh,nothing more, not the end of my world
Walking out the door
I wish that I could dream again
Believin' it's only the wind
Only the wind
The song "Only The Wind" by Billy Dean tells the story of a person who is terrified of storms and uses their mother's reassuring words to get them through tough times. The first verse describes a situation in the past where the person was scared of a storm and believed someone was trying to break into their home. Their mother comforts them by saying it's only the wind, not someone dangerous. The second verse brings us to the present where the person is facing a difficult situation with someone leaving them, and they use the same phrase to console themselves. However, this time they question whether or not it is only the wind and wish they could believe it.
The lyrics are a powerful representation of how people use comfort from past experiences to get through present-day challenges. It also highlights the question of whether past experiences can always provide comfort in new situations. While the mother's comforting words were once enough to calm the person's fears, they now question whether the person leaving them is "only the wind." It's a poignant reminder of how different situations can change our perspective on life.
Overall, "Only The Wind" is a moving song that resonates with anyone who has experienced fear and uncertainty in their lives. Through the lyrics, Billy Dean creates a meaningful story that showcases the importance of having resilience and hope, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember as a child on a dark stormy night
When I was a child, I recall a night that was dark and stormy.
I heard the screen door slam and I was overcome with fright
I felt scared by the sound of the screen door slamming.
So afraid that someone bad was trying to get in
I was scared that someone who intended to harm me was trying to get in.
And momma came to comfort me and said
My mother came to comfort me during my fear.
"It's only the wind, and nothing more
She reassured me that it was just the sound of the wind, and nothing more.
Not the end of the world knockin' at the door
There was no reason for me to be afraid that the end of the world was imminent.
So close your eyes and dream again
She advised me to ignore my fear and try to fall back asleep.
Believe me, It's only the wind"
Her message was to trust her, that it really was just the wind.
Everytime I've had to face a bitter storm of life
Whenever I've had to confront a significant problem or difficulty in my life,
Those words of comfort were my shelter in the night
Her words of comfort served as a type of refuge and safety for me.
But tonight I don't believe I'm able to pretend
However, tonight the storm I'm facing is more serious, and it's hard for me to pretend everything will be okay.
The storm that you and I are up against is only the wind
The situation we're currently dealing with is tough, but it's not as insurmountable as it may feel.
I can hear you downstairs and you're just about to leave
I can hear you downstairs, and you're preparing to depart.
There's nothing else that I can do to keep you here with me, no
I'm unable to do anything to stop you from leaving.
And now the screen door's slammin' and I'm frightened once again
The sound of the screen door slamming is making me scared once more.
What I wouldn't give if I could be convinced
I'm hoping that my fear could be allayed by being convinced that there's nothing truly threatening.
It's only the wind, and nothing more
Just like when I was a child, the sound that's causing fear is the wind, and nothing more.
Not the end of the world walking out the door
My fear of you leaving doesn't mean that the world is ending.
I wish that I could dream again
I hope I could fall asleep and dream instead of worrying about the situation.
Believin' it's only the wind
If only I could trust that it really is just the wind causing the sounds I hear.
oh, nothing more, not the end of my world
I want to believe that my life isn't crumbling apart and that my current struggle is bearable.
Walking out the door
Your departure doesn't spell the end of everything for me.
I wish that I could dream again
I wish I could forget my worries and let my mind rest.
Believin' it's only the wind
If I could convince myself that the source of my fear is benign, it would be easier to cope.
Only the wind
In the end, I hope that's what it truly is - just the wind.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES H. JONES, TOM SHAPIRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Cholley
THE TOP 75 BILLBOARD ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
HOT COUNTRY SINGLES & TRACKS
1992
Number 56
ONLY THE WIND
Billy Dean
Words & music by
Tom Shapiro, Chuck Jones
Produced by
Chuck Howard and Tom Shapiro
for SBK Records
Executive Producer:
Jimmy Gilmer
Capitol Nashville
SBK Records
NR-44803
From the Album
BILLY DEAN
First Chart Date:
Saturday, January 4, 1992
67-52-50-41-35-29-23-20-18-14-10-7-6-4-6-19-23-31-32-36
Last Chart Date:
Saturday, May 16, 1992
Total weeks on the chart:
20
Peak Position on the chart:
4 [1 week]
Kristy Lewandowski
You grow out of some artists as you get older, but Billy Dean's songs remain powerful and touching. Twenty-five years later, and his songs have only gained depth and meaning.
Eric Smith
The haunting feeling of this song just adds to its brilliance. Billy has such a clean sounding voice and his songs still sound fresh today!
Paula Jane
I love everything about this song forever 😎🎸💯❤
jscountrygirl_326
I remember watching this video together with my dad when it first came out. Always loved this song! Wish I could go back to these times.
Donny Deutsch
So I had the most amazing opportunity to see Billy for the third time in my life the other night. It was nothing like I was expecting. It was 10 times better. Just him and his guitar singing the songs that made him famous. Singing and telling stories about his life. I wouldn't trade that night for anything in the world. The only thing that would have made it better would if I had gotten the opportunity to meet him.
Demetrius Shuler
That's incredible dude! I'm one of his newest and younger fans just discovering his music. This is my favorite song of his by far. He'was soooooo good in his prime. I love his older music.
Morris Branch1971
A song that actually sounds airy and like you floatinh on air like what the wind sounds like when it blows!! Incredible song!!
Shad0w.w0lf
Exactly. A song from the heart. ❤️
Brian Mortensen
This is a blast from the past. I remember it very clearly on CMT. the "screen door slams" and you see his face and the child's face recoil. Yeah, "it's only the wind". And it's a nice ending, the "young Billy" sleeping... now Billy and the dog outside in the driveway.
Morris Branch1971
what an awesome old school real country song!! the memories