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
Secrets
Billy Strings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it gets feeling tougher every day
I feel like everybody likes to run their mouth but
Can't decide on what it is they're tryin' to say
There's nothing wrong with hearing voices
Even when they're in your dreams
And if you'd listen in tomorrow could be better than it seems
But now I know they're few and far between
And when I look at my reflection in the mirror
I can see some man I've never even seen
The wasted life I left behind me
Was just a war I couldn't win
I'm the devil's guest of honor that's the best it's ever been
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1,000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
I know a man whose pain is heavy like an anchor
And it drags him to the bottom of the sea
His cloudy eyes are often lost behind a daydream
Or frozen in some broken memory
I've never heard him speak about what happened
He'll never say what laid him low
There are secrets that we carry that are ours to bare alone
You said a love that's kept in secret dies in darkness
And a soul needs to confess to be set free
So I'm lifting back the cover of my heart, dear
And hoping that you'll do the same for me
It's not too pretty, but it's open
It's the only way I know to tell you true
I'd walk the world alone before I'd ever walk away from you
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1,000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
If you can link your value to your wallet or a key chain
Or a locked wrought iron fence around your yard
Living check to check, a skinny tie around your neck
On stolen time and borrowed numbers off a card
You blink and life is left behind you
There's no escape, that's just a fact
We're all a dollar short and
Every one of us is running out of track
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1,000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1,000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
The lyrics of Billy Strings' song "Secrets" delve into various themes of introspection, vulnerability, and the importance of genuine communication. The song begins by expressing a sense of internal struggle and perseverance, describing a cold and challenging situation that the singer has fought through. They convey a frustration with people who constantly talk without clarity or purpose, highlighting the difficulty in deciphering their true intentions. Despite this, the lyrics suggest that even in the midst of chaos, there is value in listening to the voices within, even if they manifest in dreams. The singer suggests that by paying attention to these inner voices, tomorrow could be better than it seems.
The second verse reflects on personal growth and self-perception. The singer acknowledges that they used to struggle to recognize and appreciate their blessings, but now they understand that they are few and far between. Looking into the mirror, they see a reflection of a stranger, symbolizing the transformation and development they have undergone. The wasted life they have left behind was like a futile war they couldn't win, and they have become the devil's guest of honor, suggesting a sense of accepting their flaws and mistakes.
The chorus emphasizes the power of silence and the desire to release one's secrets. It suggests that sometimes it is better to be alone or abandoned, as it allows one to share their innermost truths with the wind, freeing themselves from the burden of secrecy. While the third verse introduces another character, someone carrying heavy pain whose secrets are entirely theirs to bear, the song returns to the singer's perspective in the final verse. The singer addresses their loved one, acknowledging the fear that secrets can cause love to wither and die in darkness. They express vulnerability by opening their heart and hoping for reciprocity, believing that it is better to be honest than to walk away.
Interpretation:
"Secrets" reflects the idea that sharing one's innermost thoughts and emotions takes great courage and vulnerability. The song suggests the importance of honest communication and the transformative power it can have on both individuals and relationships. It also highlights the idea that personal growth and self-reflection involve coming to terms with the past, accepting one's flaws, and being open to change.
Line by Line Meaning
It's something cold like what I stuck around to fight through
There is a difficult and challenging situation that I have chosen to confront and overcome.
And it gets feeling tougher every day
Each day it becomes more challenging and demanding.
I feel like everybody likes to run their mouth but
I perceive that everyone enjoys speaking without a clear intention.
Can't decide on what it is they're tryin' to say
They are unable to determine the message they want to convey.
There's nothing wrong with hearing voices
It is not inherently problematic to hear different opinions or perspectives.
Even when they're in your dreams
Even if those voices appear in your dreams.
And if you'd listen in tomorrow could be better than it seems
If you pay attention, tomorrow might hold a more positive outcome than it appears.
I used to think I couldn't even count my blessings
I previously believed that I had very few things to be thankful for.
But now I know they're few and far between
However, I have come to realize that those blessings are rare and infrequent.
And when I look at my reflection in the mirror
When I see my own image reflected in the mirror.
I can see some man I've never even seen
I observe a version of myself that feels unfamiliar.
The wasted life I left behind me
The unfulfilled and squandered existence I abandoned in the past.
Was just a war I couldn't win
It was simply an unwinnable battle.
I'm the devil's guest of honor that's the best it's ever been
I am fully immersed in the allure and temptation of evil, which is the strongest it has ever been.
Little said is soonest mended
The less one speaks, the fewer problems arise.
Without a wing a word could fly a 1,000 miles
Words can spread and have significant impact even without physical movement.
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
I prefer to be deserted or solitary.
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
This way, I can share my hidden truths openly and freely.
I know a man whose pain is heavy like an anchor
I am aware of a man burdened by deep and unrelenting pain.
And it drags him to the bottom of the sea
This pain overwhelms him and pulls him down to the depths of despair.
His cloudy eyes are often lost behind a daydream
His eyes appear distant and distracted as he gets lost in his fantasies.
Or frozen in some broken memory
Alternatively, they become fixated on painful and shattered memories.
I've never heard him speak about what happened
He has never spoken openly about his past experiences.
He'll never say what laid him low
He refuses to reveal what caused his downfall.
There are secrets that we carry that are ours to bare alone
Each individual holds personal secrets that they must bear and face on their own.
You said a love that's kept in secret dies in darkness
You claimed that love, concealed and undisclosed, withers away in shadows.
And a soul needs to confess to be set free
In order to attain liberation, a soul must confess its truths.
So I'm lifting back the cover of my heart, dear
Therefore, I am unveiling the concealed aspects of my heart, my dear.
And hoping that you'll do the same for me
Furthermore, I hope that you will reciprocate and reveal your own secrets.
It's not too pretty, but it's open
Although it may not be aesthetically pleasing, it is sincere and unrestricted.
It's the only way I know to tell you true
It is the sole method I possess to honestly express myself to you.
I'd walk the world alone before I'd ever walk away from you
I would rather traverse the world in solitude than abandon you.
If you can link your value to your wallet or a key chain
If your self-worth is tied to material possessions or status symbols.
Or a locked wrought iron fence around your yard
Or the physical barriers and protections surrounding your property.
Living check to check, a skinny tie around your neck
Existing from one paycheck to another, trapped by conformity and societal expectations.
On stolen time and borrowed numbers off a card
Operating on borrowed time and relying on credit cards and loans.
You blink and life is left behind you
In an instant, life passes you by.
There's no escape, that's just a fact
Escape is impossible, as it is an undeniable reality.
We're all a dollar short and
Each of us falls short in terms of economic resources and opportunities.
Every one of us is running out of track
Each person is gradually running out of chances and time to achieve their goals.
Little said is soonest mended
The fewer words spoken, the quicker any issues can be resolved.
Without a wing a word could fly a 1,000 miles
Words can travel great distances and have significant impact even without physical means of conveyance.
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
I would prefer to be deserted or solitary in order to maintain the confidentiality of my secrets.
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
This way, I can share my hidden truths openly and freely, allowing them to be carried away by the wind.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Billy Strings, Jon Weisberger, Aaron Allen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
luke guy
lyrics:
It's something cold like what I stuck around to fight through
And it gets feeling tougher every day
I feel like everybody likes to run their mouth but
Can't decide on what it is they're tryin' to say
There's nothing wrong with hearing voices
Even when they're in your dreams
And if you'd listen in tomorrow could be better than it seems
I used to think I couldn't even count my blessings
But now I know they're few and far between
And when I look at my reflection in the mirror
I can see some man I've never even seen
The wasted life I left behind me
Was just a war I couldn't win
I'm the devil's guest of honor that's the best it's ever been
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1, 000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
I know a man whose pain is heavy like an anchor
And it drags him to the bottom of the sea
His cloudy eyes are often lost behind a daydream
Or frozen in some broken memory
I've never heard him speak about what happened
He'll never say what laid him low
There are secrets that we carry that are ours to bare alone
You said a love that's kept in secret dies in darkness
And a soul needs to confess to be set free
So I'm lifting back the cover of my heart, dear
And hoping that you'll do the same for me
It's not too pretty, but it's open
It's the only way I know to tell you true
I'd walk the world alone before I'd ever walk away from you
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1, 000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
If you can link your value to your wallet or a key chain
Or a locked wrought iron fence around your yard
Living check to check, a skinny tie around your neck
On stolen time and borrowed numbers off a card
You blink and life is left behind you
There's no escape, that's just a fact
We're all a dollar short and
Every one of us is running out of track
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1, 000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1, 000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
luke guy
lyrics:
It's something cold like what I stuck around to fight through
And it gets feeling tougher every day
I feel like everybody likes to run their mouth but
Can't decide on what it is they're tryin' to say
There's nothing wrong with hearing voices
Even when they're in your dreams
And if you'd listen in tomorrow could be better than it seems
I used to think I couldn't even count my blessings
But now I know they're few and far between
And when I look at my reflection in the mirror
I can see some man I've never even seen
The wasted life I left behind me
Was just a war I couldn't win
I'm the devil's guest of honor that's the best it's ever been
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1, 000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
I know a man whose pain is heavy like an anchor
And it drags him to the bottom of the sea
His cloudy eyes are often lost behind a daydream
Or frozen in some broken memory
I've never heard him speak about what happened
He'll never say what laid him low
There are secrets that we carry that are ours to bare alone
You said a love that's kept in secret dies in darkness
And a soul needs to confess to be set free
So I'm lifting back the cover of my heart, dear
And hoping that you'll do the same for me
It's not too pretty, but it's open
It's the only way I know to tell you true
I'd walk the world alone before I'd ever walk away from you
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1, 000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
If you can link your value to your wallet or a key chain
Or a locked wrought iron fence around your yard
Living check to check, a skinny tie around your neck
On stolen time and borrowed numbers off a card
You blink and life is left behind you
There's no escape, that's just a fact
We're all a dollar short and
Every one of us is running out of track
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1, 000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
Little said is soonest mended
Without a wing a word could fly a 1, 000 miles
I'd rather be abandoned or alone
Just so I could lend my secrets to the wind
Jeff Firnhaber
Best song i've heard in a long long time
Sam
I'm from California and I never thought I'd be a fan of Bluegrass, but then one day I saw Dust in a Baggie and I've been a fan of Billy ever since. I love how he's finding his own style, voice, etc.
ATHG6GENEP6
im from outside of US, never saw Billy Strings, and i love Billy Strings's music and bluegrass music
dan marks
Same here man. Saw ",dust in a baggie" last summer 2020 on YouTube and I've been obsessed since.
Weezy
I was born & raised in San Diego, 1969. Growing up with a house full of bluegrass pickers, dobro players, fiddle & more. 1st generation SD of course but I feel you man. It's the purest form of music to me. I feel Louisiana in my blood now, more than ever...
Khola
Shout out to the green shirted lost Hobbit
Joe
@Khola facts
AJ Morrison
“I’m the devil’s guest of honor and that’s the best it’s ever been” holy shit this album is fantastic
𓂀 Bᄂₐ𝚌𝓴Sₐ𝐩𝐩𝓱ᵢᵣₑ𓂀
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