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
Meet Me at the Creek
Billy Strings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking about the days I've left behind
All the years I roamed not a nickel can I show
And the river helps to ease my worried mind
Well the river run all night, lord, the river runs all day
I can't run no more cause I'm here to stay
I had an eye for trouble and I've lived a life of pain
I'm letting go of all my troubles
I think I'll be right here to stay
Well the water keeps a churning while my poor heart is burning
Muddy water take my pain away
Well one thing I want to know, lord, is where we people go
When everything comes crashing to the ground
Meet me at the creek grab a beer and tap your feet
See that muddy water flowing down
I'm letting go of all my troubles
I think I'll be right here to stay
Well the water keeps a churning while my poor heart is burning
Muddy water take my pain away
Well I'm standing all alone by the river of my home
Thinking about the days I've left behind
All the years I roamed not a nickel can I show
And the river helps to ease my worried mind
I'm letting go of all my troubles
I think I'll be right here to stay
Well the water keeps a churning while my poor heart is burning
Muddy water take my pain away
Muddy water take my pain away
In Billy Strings's song Meet Me at the Creek, the singer finds himself standing alone by the river of his home, reflecting on the days he left behind. He ponders on the years he spent traveling and wandering around without much to show for it. The river he stands by eases his worried mind and helps him remember the good times as well as let go of his troubles. The river runs continuously, day and night and serves as a reminder to the singer to stay put instead of running away from his problems. Despite his past of trouble and pain, the singer seeks solace in the river and hopes it will take away his pain.
The allusion to the muddy water is symbolic of the challenges that the singer has faced. The muddy water can represent pain and suffering, and the singer seeks to find ease from his troubles in it. The creek represents a sense of community, a place of belonging where one can find refuge in tough times. This is evident in the line, 'Meet me at the creek, grab a beer, and tap your feet,' indicating a place where the singer can relax and relieve himself of the stress brought by life.
The lyrics to the song talk of a journey towards accepting one's life and finding peace with oneself. It encourages people to seek out a higher spiritual power when they experience hardships that they cannot bear on their own.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm standing all alone by the river of my home
I am standing by the river of my home all by myself.
Thinking about the days I've left behind
I am reflecting on the past times.
All the years I roamed not a nickel can I show
Traveled all these years and have nothing to show for it.
And the river helps to ease my worried mind
The river helps to calm my anxious mind.
Well the river run all night, lord, the river runs all day
The river flows all day and night.
I can't run no more cause I'm here to stay
I have finally found a place where I can settle and stay.
I had an eye for trouble and I've lived a life of pain
I have had a turbulent life with a lot of pain and trouble.
I sit back and let that water heal my brain
I am letting the river water heal my mind.
Muddy water take my pain away
I want the murky river water to take away my pain.
Well one thing I want to know, lord, is where we people go
I wonder where people go when things fall apart.
When everything comes crashing to the ground
When things fall apart and fail miserably.
Meet me at the creek grab a beer and tap your feet
Let's meet at the creek, drink beer, and enjoy the music.
See that muddy water flowing down
Observe the dirty water flowing continuously.
Muddy water take my pain away
River water, please help me ease my pain.
I'm letting go of all my troubles
I am releasing all my burdens.
I think I'll be right here to stay
I believe I have found a place to settle.
Well the water keeps a churning while my poor heart is burning
Although my heart aches, the river water keeps flowing.
Muddy water take my pain away
River water, please help me ease my pain.
Contributed by Harper S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@therealbettyjane
WAHOOO!!!!
I just got introduced to Billy Strings music by watching Fil....
I'm a major new fan.
My mom played fiddle, violin, & danced a jig. Dad played banjo, harmonica & sang.
They played bluegrass
& old style country music in the 50's.
I wound up singing & playing for a living out on the road because of my folks.
I've always loved bluegrass, but this music is something else!
I haven't seen such joy in playing since I was a little girl watching mom & dad perform.
Thank you Billy Strings for unleashing your joy on the world.
It's a wonder to hear....
@dshaw1389
Who's still here in 2023? Was introduced to Billy strings about a year and a half ago. His lyrics are true and really speak to me can't wait to see him in new Orleans for new years. I'm from Georgia. I hope everyone reading this has a good life and stays prayed up. You are loved!
@davidheiman8581
I’ve been here the whole time man
@MSC-Songwriter
I had to double check to see if this wasn't my comment from somewhere... I found billy about A year and a half ago and it's definitely changed my life... I would love to be in new orleans right now... He was on fire last night.. Hopefully I'll catch up to you all here in nashville❤❤❤
@CelestialDad
I just found him last month. Usually a metal/prog head, but Billy pulled me into a whole new scene lol
@mezgibbons
My son was born on this day #starwars bullshit. It’s now feb 2024. May 4th is soon to be on us and I thank my son being here but also billy strings for this. Mez @ Newcastle England
@dshaw1389
@@CelestialDad I listen to all genres of music but this is the epitomy of bluegrass.
@thomaskaupish8841
I really love how Billy steps back and gives each performer a chance to show off their skills, and never overpowers the stage. He's such a generous performer.
@GuyFromTheSouth
Dang youre right
@RJ-wx3fh
Adding that they can all step back/add in themselves at the right time- clearly a group with good chemistry.
The sheer hard work and time it takes to get that good indicidually is impressive, seeing them all performing together is phenomenal.
@erniejewells8167
I would love to see them live this was incredible