They have performed throughout the United States as both headliner and as the supporting act for artists such as Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd. On August 26, 2012, they performed at a charity benefit called the Boot Ride with the cast of Sons of Anarchy, partnered with The Boot Campaign at the Happy Ending Bar and Grill in Hollywood, California. They performed 20+ dates with Zac Brown Band nationwide in the summer of 2011. Their album Little Piece of Dixie has been featured by Paste magazine and other publications.
The band was formerly signed to Zac Brown's record label Southern Ground. On November 5, 2014, the band announced that it had left Southern Ground and signed with Rounder Records.
Free on the Wing
Blackberry Smoke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
big blue sky above his head
he don't know that she is leaving me today
he ain't crying over what we had
Free on the wing to head straight into the sun
one love story's over and another's just begun
We come and we go life surely goes on
Some go looking for a little change of scenery
maybe try to wipe the slate clean
others just seem like they ain't ever gonna settle down
they're just wired to be in between
Free on the wing to head straight into the sun
one love story's over and another's just begun
We come and we go life surely goes on
we might find what we search for all along
People just want you to be
what they want you to be
nothing ever turns out to be
the way we thought it would be
Free on the wing to head straight into the sun
one love story's over and another's just begun
We come and we go life surely goes on
we might find what we search for all along
The lyrics to Blackberry Smoke's song "Free on the Wing" touch on the idea of life being a journey with many ups and downs, and how sometimes what we're searching for may be right in front of us. The first verse talks about a little red bird outside the singer's window, who is blissfully unaware of the singer's recent heartbreak. While the singer is feeling down and lonely, the bird is free and unburdened, flying confidently towards the sun. This imagery of the bird flying freely represents the idea of letting go of the past and moving forward with optimism towards new beginnings. The chorus repeats the phrase "free on the wing," emphasizing the idea of breaking free from the limitations of the past and embracing the possibilities of the present.
The second verse explores different approaches people take to finding happiness and fulfillment in life. Some seek change and new experiences, while others seem to resist settling down and crave a perpetual state of transition. Regardless of one's approach, the singer emphasizes that life goes on and presents new opportunities to find what we're searching for. The final verse touches on the disappointment that can come when our expectations don't align with reality, and how we must learn to accept life's twists and turns.
Overall, "Free on the Wing" is a song about embracing change and finding the strength to move forward after difficult times. The imagery of the bird flying represents the idea of letting go of the past and embracing new possibilities. The chorus emphasizes the idea of breaking free from limitations and embracing new beginnings, while the verses acknowledge the different approaches people take to finding happiness in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Little red bird outside my window today
There is a small bird sitting near the window where I am, an everyday sight.
big blue sky above his head
The sky above the bird is great and blue, something to rejoice and appreciate.
he don't know that she is leaving me today
The bird has no idea that I am being abandoned today.
he ain't crying over what we had
The bird has no emotions or attachment to what we had as humans.
Free on the wing to head straight into the sun
The bird is free to fly endlessly into the sun without hesitation.
one love story's over and another's just begun
One relationship or a chapter of the past is now over and it is time to start anew.
We come and we go life surely goes on
People depart from our lives, but life continuously goes on.
we might find what we search for all along
It is possible that what we have been looking for has been present the entire time.
Some go looking for a little change of scenery
People might search for or desire to change their environment, circumstances, or situation.
maybe try to wipe the slate clean
Perhaps some people want a fresh start or a new beginning in their lives.
others just seem like they ain't ever gonna settle down
There are those who don't appear to be able or willing to commit to one place or person for a long time.
they're just wired to be in between
These individuals are perhaps constructed or programmed to constantly exist and operate between different realms.
People just want you to be
Sometimes people have expectations for us to be or act like something they want us to be.
what they want you to be
They want us to conform to their specific desires or ideals.
nothing ever turns out to be
Things do not always happen the way we think or expect them to occur.
the way we thought it would be
Our original plans or ideas may not turn out as we initially anticipated.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charlie Starr, Brandon Still
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zepgirl6489
These guys combine it all, from rock, blues, country, bluegrass......and they do it with soul.
@andyokus5735
As an old fart who's played with many greats I like this
It's soulful and sincere unlike all the Nashville noise. All my blood sweat and tears hasn't been for naught after all.
@martymauldin9518
I met these guys a few yrs ago at Bama Jam. Nicest guys you would ever want to meet. No "rock stars" here. Just good ole boys playing damn good music...
@dancrowley488
Glad to hear that. They seem like cool guys.
@lisaharben336
I challenge anyone to find a song by these guys that isn't awesome. Love, Love, LOVE, BLACKBERRY SMOKE! Beautiful, raw, soulful, intelligent Southern rock. They provide the soundtrack for my life🙂
@andybaker5800
God bless you Gregg.... you are sorely missed brother. God bless BBS.. peace.
@jimsullivan6081
Our brother
@CraigAWhelanJr
Charlie is a tunesmith. He will be legendary, I have no doubt.
@ineedtostopwatchingyoutube5211
The lick at 5:15 shows this. He modulates out of the typical ( but always delicious ) pentatonic and goes hard with it for just a second, and then back to what they do best.
@joannamcclure3260
So glad I got to see Gregg's last show in Atlanta with BBS!!