A master of the guitar, banjo, and mandolin, Strings is a singer and instrumentalist whose music starts with the sound and speed of bluegrass and folds in elements of rock, jazz, and psychedelia. Strings deals in acoustic music, but his lyrics are rooted in contemporary issues ("Dust in a Baggie" sounds like a classic bluegrass breakdown, but the lyrics deal with crystal meth addiction), and the music reinforces this fusion of past and present, melding modern melodic frameworks with fiddles and banjos. Strings's music was presented in its most traditional form on his 2016 self-titled EP, 2019's Grammy-winning Home added a more rock-oriented production style and extended jams to his formula, and 2021's Renewal featured some of his most personal songwriting and ambitious music to date.
Born in Lansing, Michigan, his family relocated to Morehead, Kentucky, for a spell before later settling in Muir, a small town in Michigan. Billy's father and uncle were both accomplished musicians, and the youngster was surrounded by acoustic music practically from birth. At the age of four, Billy asked his father for a guitar, and he was soon learning to play a second-hand instrument that cost 25 dollars. By the time he was six, he was good enough to join his dad for bluegrass picking parties, and his aunt nicknamed him Billy Strings. By the time he was in middle school, he had picked up an electric guitar and was playing in a heavy metal band. However, it led him into a circle of friends who were abusing drugs, and Strings believed it was leading him into a dark place.
Determined to find a better path, Strings returned to playing bluegrass, and after completing high school, he moved to Traverse City, a city in Northern Michigan with a lively music and art scene. When Strings performed at an open-mike night at a club called the Hayloft, local pickers were impressed with his skills, and he soon found a mentor and picking partner in mandolinist Don Julin, who recorded a duo album with Strings titled Rock of Ages. (Strings also independently released a home-brewed solo album in 2014, Fiddle Tune X.) He also played with a bluegrass combo called M-23 Strings, and earned a reputation as one of the most promising talents in the Mitten State.
In early 2016, Strings left Traverse City for Nashville, where the talented newcomer did not go unnoticed. In September 2017, he released Turmoil & Tinfoil, an effort that found him adding a wider variety of sounds and influences to his music. The album was produced by Glenn Brown, who had previously worked with Greensky Bluegrass and Luke Winslow-King. After landing a deal with roots music specialists Rounder Records, Strings returned in 2019 with his second solo outing, Home. It won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. Due to the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020, Strings had more time to devote to his songwriting, and 2021's Renewal found him exploring darker and more personal themes as well as broadening the instrumental palette of his band.
Biography by Mark Deming
Long Forgotten Dream
Billy Strings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you heed the words within the winds that whisper "It′s too late"?
Would you see the reasons falling from the sky?
Or the locusts screaming madly as you turn around and die?
Could you recognize some message to relate?
Have you felt the atmospheric friction churning up above
All the traits and the descriptions seem to fit just like a glove
Crawling circles on our backs with our dumbfounded expertise
Just the thought of this is riddled with disease
Can you see her moving slowly to the rhythm of the song?
Would you like to tag along with us? I know it won't be long
Could she lead us back to somewhere you desire?
Could she lead us to the doorway, would you sit down by the fire?
And would your eyes be sealed with love instead of hate?
Can you see the empty chambers of your head begin to spin
Leaving nothing but a cavity for all the living skin?
Would you settle for the empty space within
Or just kick and scream for something else to carry your thoughts in
One foot before the other, let′s begin
Have you grown without a doubt or have you always wondered why?
Just this morning rush intrusively to flash your waking eyes
Do you take it in or leave it as it lay?
Would you give a nod to life before returning to the clay?
Would you think about tomorrow like today?
Her eyes are open, she's always hoping
We can turn this old familiar nightmare into a song
The sun keeps burning, the world keeps turning
Reaching out and teaching love 'til the doubt is gone
Would you listen for the echo of your long forgotten dream?
You should listen for the echo of your long forgotten dream
The lyrics of Billy Strings's song Long Forgotten Dream are an invitation to introspection, urging the listener to question their perceptions and biases, to look past the noise of the world and listen carefully for what truly matters. The song opens with a series of questions, asking if the listener would pay attention to the signs around them, or recognize any hidden messages. The lyrics then turn to an observation of the human condition, with its scratching, crawling, and dumbfounded expertise, culminating in a warning of the emptiness that awaits those who do not seek something greater.
The second half of the song takes a more hopeful turn, with the mention of a woman who moves slowly to the rhythm of the song, possibly representing a guide or a beacon of hope. The lyrics suggest that by following her lead, the listener can rediscover a long forgotten dream, a source of inspiration or purpose that lies dormant within them. The song ends with the invitation to listen for the echo of that dream, to heed its call and let it guide them towards a better future.
Overall, Long Forgotten Dream is a powerful call to pay attention to the world around us and to look within ourselves for answers. It reminds us that there is always hope to be found, even in the darkest of times, and encourages us to be open to the possibilities that life presents.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you listen when the wind decides to whisper English fate?
Would you pay attention to the subtle messages from fate?
Would you heed the words within the winds that whisper "It's too late"?
Would you take action before it's too late?
Would you see the reasons falling from the sky?
Would you recognize the signs that something is amiss?
Or the locusts screaming madly as you turn around and die?
Or would you be too blinded by fear to see the impending danger?
Could you recognize some message to relate?
Could you comprehend the message being conveyed?
Have you felt the atmospheric friction churning up above
Have you sensed the powerful forces at play in the universe?
All the traits and the descriptions seem to fit just like a glove
Everything seems to make sense and fall into place
Can you see us scratching backwards through the seams
Can you see how we are trying to look back and make sense of things?
Crawling circles on our backs with our dumbfounded expertise
Trying to understand with limited understanding and knowledge
Just the thought of this is riddled with disease
The mere idea of trying to comprehend everything can be overwhelming
Can you see her moving slowly to the rhythm of the song?
Can you see the beauty in nature and life moving in harmony?
Would you like to tag along with us? I know it won't be long
Would you like to join in embracing the beauty of life?
Could she lead us back to somewhere you desire?
Could nature and life bring us to where we truly want to be?
Could she lead us to the doorway, would you sit down by the fire?
Could nature and life lead us to a place of rest and contentment?
And would your eyes be sealed with love instead of hate?
Would you view the world and everything in it through the eyes of love?
Can you see the empty chambers of your head begin to spin
Can you feel the confusion and uncertainty in your mind?
Leaving nothing but a cavity for all the living skin?
Leaving you feeling empty and unfulfilled
Would you settle for the empty space within
Would you accept feeling empty or strive for something more?
Or just kick and scream for something else to carry your thoughts in
Or would you throw a fit and demand to be distracted from your thoughts?
One foot before the other, let's begin
Start with small steps and keep moving forward
Have you grown without a doubt or have you always wondered why?
Have you matured and become confident or are you still searching for answers?
Just this morning rush intrusively to flash your waking eyes
Life can be overwhelming and hit you suddenly
Do you take it in or leave it as it lay?
Do you let life overwhelm you or try to make sense of it?
Would you give a nod to life before returning to the clay?
Would you acknowledge the beauty of life before passing away?
Would you think about tomorrow like today?
Would you approach tomorrow with the same mindset as today?
Her eyes are open, she's always hoping
Nature and life are always looking forward with hope
We can turn this old familiar nightmare into a song
We can transform difficult situations into something beautiful
The sun keeps burning, the world keeps turning
Life continues on, regardless of any struggles or difficulties
Reaching out and teaching love 'til the doubt is gone
Continuing to spread love until all doubts and fears are eradicated
Would you listen for the echo of your long forgotten dream?
Would you try to remember and pursue your passions from long ago?
You should listen for the echo of your long forgotten dream
It is important to listen for the echoes and pursue your dreams
Writer(s): William Apostol
Contributed by Reagan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.