One of the more successful country music groups of the 1990s, their hits have included Every Once in a While, Days of America, and Goodbye Says It All.
The original lineup for the band throughout the 1990s was Paul, Robbins, and guitarist/vocalist Van Stephenson, who died of skin cancer in April, 2001. He was replaced by Randy Threet, the band's bass player, until 2003, when Anthony Crawford signed on.
From early 2008 until he re-joined in 2010, Robbins left the group to resume his songwriting career, and Threet re-joined. Since then, BlackHawk's backing band has been subsumed into the main group, which comprises Paul (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin), Randall (acoustic guitar, background vocals), Threet (bass guitar, background vocals), Chris Anderson (lead guitar, background vocals), Dave Robbins (keyboards, background vocals), and Monte Yoho (drums, percussion).
Current Total Nonstop Action Wrestling musician Dale Oliver was also once a part of Blackhawk.
That's Just About Right
BlackHawk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lives up in the mountains
He flew up there to paint the world
He says, "Even though interpretation's what I count on, this little picture to me seems blurred"
"Hard lines and the shadows come easy
I see them all just as clear as a bell
I just can't seem to set my easel to please me;
I paint my Heaven, but it looks like Hell"
[Chorus:]
Your blue might be gray, your less might be more
Your window to the world might be your own front door
Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night
That's just about right
He says, "Man, I ain't comin' down 'til my picture is perfect
And all the wonder has gone from my eyes"
Down through my hands and onto the canvas,
Still like my vision but still a surprise"
"Real life", he says, "is the hardest impression
It's always movin' so I let it come through"
"And that", I say, "is the glory of true independence" "Just do what you do what you just gotta do"
[Chorus]
Your blue might be gray, your less might be more
Your window to the world might be your own front door
Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night
That's just about right
My friend came down from the mountain
Without even looking, he found a little truth
"You can go through life with the greatest intentions; but you do what you do what you just gotta do" (Yeah)
[Chorus: x2]
Your blue might be gray, your less might be more
Your window to the world might be your own front door
Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night
That's just about right
In “That’s Just About Right,” BlackHawk shares a message of self-awareness and acceptance. The song is an ode to individuality, stressing that everyone possesses their own unique perspective on life. The first verse highlights a friend who lives in the mountains and paints, which sets the tone for the metaphorical “picture” that BlackHawk uses throughout the song. The friend tries to interpret his surroundings accurately, but he struggles to get his picture to look the way he wants. He recognizes that "real life is the hardest impression," which metaphorically refers to the difficulties of defining and communicating one's unique point of view. The chorus emphasizes that there’s no right or wrong way to experience life and that everyone’s individuality is valid, even if it seems unconventional. The final verse acknowledges that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes we have to accept things as they are to move forward.
Overall, “That’s Just About Right” is a feel-good, optimistic song about the liberating power of self-acceptance. It encourages listeners to embrace their individuality, to stop worrying about external validation, and to live life according to their own rules.
Line by Line Meaning
My old friend,
I have a friend who used to live in the mountains and is now back in the city.
Lives up in the mountains
He used to live in the mountains where he would paint to translate his view of the world onto his canvas.
He flew up there to paint the world
He went up the mountains to interpret his experience of the world.
He says, "Even though interpretation's what I count on, this little picture to me seems blurred"
He relies on interpretation when painting, but currently, his interpretation seems blurred and not up to his usual standards.
"Hard lines and the shadows come easy
The dark, difficult times are easy to interpret and envision in his paintings.
I see them all just as clear as a bell
These hard times are clear in his mind's eye and he can easily envision them.
I just can't seem to set my easel to please me;
He is having trouble capturing the simple joyous moments and is finding himself displeased with his current work.
I paint my Heaven, but it looks like Hell"
Even though he tries to capture joyful moments, they are coming out dark and not pleasing him.
[Chorus:]
Chorus: Your view of the world might be different from others, but that's okay.
Your blue might be gray, your less might be more
Your view of things, which may seem inadequate or different from others, may actually be just right for you.
Your window to the world might be your own front door
Your own personal experience may be all you need to understand the world, without having to go beyond your own home.
Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night
Your happiest moments may surprise you and come at unexpected times.
That's just about right
This is all perfectly okay.
He says, "Man, I ain't comin' down 'til my picture is perfect
The friend is a perfectionist and is not willing to stop painting until his work is flawless.
And all the wonder has gone from my eyes"
He is so focused on his painting that he has lost the ability to see the natural wonder around him.
Down through my hands and onto the canvas,
He is transferring his understanding of the world through his hands onto the canvas.
Still like my vision but still a surprise"
He still enjoys and is satisfied with his interpretation, but every new experience is a surprise to him.
"Real life", he says, "is the hardest impression
He believes it is difficult to replicate real life as he sees it in his paintings.
It's always movin' so I let it come through"
He understands that real life is constantly moving and evolving, so he tries to let that movement come through in his paintings.
"And that", I say, "is the glory of true independence" "Just do what you do what you just gotta do"
True independence is being able to express yourself without trying to please others, even if it means not conforming to traditional standards.
[Chorus: x2]
Chorus: Your view of the world might be different from others, but that's okay.
Your blue might be gray, your less might be more
Your view of things, which may seem inadequate or different from others, may actually be just right for you.
Your window to the world might be your own front door
Your own personal experience may be all you need to understand the world, without having to go beyond your own home.
Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night
Your happiest moments may surprise you and come at unexpected times.
That's just about right
This is all perfectly okay.
My friend came down from the mountain
The friend came back to the city, leaving the mountains behind.
Without even looking, he found a little truth
Despite no longer painting, the friend has found some valuable perspective.
"You can go through life with the greatest intentions; but you do what you do what you just gotta do" (Yeah)
Sometimes no matter how good your intentions, life happens and you have to do what you have to do to get through it.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFFREY ALLEN BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
smlapointe2003
My old friend,
Lives up in the mountains
He flew up there to paint the world
He says, "Even though interpretation's what I count on, this little picture to me seems blurred"
"Hard lines and the shadows come easy
I see them all just as clear as a bell
I just can't seem to set my easel to please me;
I paint my Heaven, but it looks like Hell"
Your blue might be gray, your less might be more
Your window to the world might be your own front door
Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night
That's just about right
He says, "Man, I ain't comin' down 'til my picture is perfect
And all the wonder has gone from my eyes"
Down through my hands and onto the canvas,
Still like my vision but still a surprise"
"Real life", he says, "is the hardest impression
It's always movin' so I let it come through"
"And that", I say, "is the glory of true independence" "Just do what you do what you just gotta do"
Your blue might be gray, your less might be more
Your window to the world might be your own front door
Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night
That's just about right
My friend came down from the mountain
Without even looking, he found a little truth
"You can go through life with the greatest intentions; but you do what you do what you just gotta do" (Yeah)
Your blue might be gray, your less might be more
Your window to the world might be your own front door
Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night
That's just about right
Gary Machado
Every track on their albums were hits and true country songs. Not a single bad track.
Rebecca Me
Yep
TERRY.
Gary Machado I agree 100 percent
Mike Brooks
Back when country was country and not like the stuff of today which is CUNTry.
Kenneth Lee
When they sang rock and roll they were awesome too. ( outlaws) green grass and high tides was an awesome song. They're great musicians
Mike pici
Absolutely agree
C. Dawg Knight
Blackhawk is probably the greatest three part harmony band of all time.
Kevin Dixon
@Steve Church restless heart was amazing but I lean toward Blackhawk and Shenandoah
Jimmy Kent2
They are good love them but best harmony 3 o is Diamond rio by far
Marcos Carmona
One more time for Blackhawk! 👏👏👏