The Osborne siblings strummed their first chords during those jam sessions. From the very start, TJ Osborne was the brother with the voice. He sang in a thick, low baritone, crooning like Johnny Cash long before he was even old enough to drive. Older brother John, on the other hand, was the family’s guitar shredder, his fingers capable of down-home bluegrass licks, arena-worthy rock riffs, country twang, and everything in between. Combined, the two Osbornes could play everything from traditional country music to rock & roll, creating a broad, full-bodied sound that would eventually fill the 11 songs on their major-label debut, Pawn Shop.
Like its title suggests, Pawn Shop offers a little bit of everything. There’s bluesy slide guitar, country duets, southern rock solos, harmonies, and plenty of groove. The hooks are big, the guitars are loud, and the songs — every last one of them co-written by the Osbornes, who reached out to award-winning songwriters like Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman for help — introduce a duo whose music bridges the gap between the mainstream and the alternative world. Some songs were written at home in Nashville, while others came together on the road, where the guys spent several years headlining their own club shows, touring the country with Darius Rucker, and playing some of the biggest arenas in America with fellow rule-breaker Eric Church.
“Most duos are built on singing,” says TJ “But John is an incredible guitar player, and this band is built on me singing and John playing guitar. It gives us two parallels that work nicely together.”
“It’s like an old-school rock approach,” adds John, who cites classic bands like Aerosmith and the Allman Brothers as influences on the duo’s dynamic. “Groups like that always had the lead singer as well as the sideman guitar player. That’s what we’re going for, too. We’re carving our own path in country music.”
That unique path has already led the band toward the upper half of the country charts. “Rum” got them there first, mixing the feel-good sunshine of a beach tune with a far more realistic storyline. There’s no actual beach in “Rum,” after all. Instead, Brothers Osborne turn the song into a tribute to the simple pleasures that their Maryland hometown offers: friends, good weather, and the occasional drink. They even filmed the song’s music video in Deale, filling the clip with footage of friends, relatives, and locals.
“Most people we grew up with don’t go to these beautiful beaches,” says TJ. “They can’t afford to do it. They don’t have the time for it. What we’re most familiar with is people going to the local bars and hanging out with each other.” John adds, “We tried to have the biggest time possible with what little we had. ‘Rum’ explains that.” The brothers agree, “We had to say it from our own perspective.”
A similar theme runs throughout “Dirt Rich” and “Pawn Shop,” two songs that stress the importance of appreciating what you’ve got. Pawn Shop dishes up plenty of love songs, too, from “Loving Me Back” — an old-school country duet featuring vocals from Lee Ann Womack — to “Stay a Little Longer,” the band’s biggest hit to date. While a three-minute guitar solo brings “Stay a Little Longer” to an epic, anthemic close, Brothers Osborne also devote time to more laid-back songs, from the nostalgic California country of “21 Summer” to the 420-friendly “Greener Pastures.”
Brothers Osborne, who co-produced the album with Jay Joyce (the award-winning producer behind Little Big Town’s Painkiller, Eric Church’s The Outsiders, and Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller), recorded most of Pawn Shop during breaks in their busy touring schedule, using members of their own touring band rather than session musicians from the Nashville community. The result is an album that’s stamped with the unmistakable mark of a band. It doesn’t sound like two singers, flanked by anonymous players. Instead, it sounds like a group of road warriors who’ve spent years sharing bus seats and hotel rooms, creating the sort of chemistry that can’t be faked. Pawn Shop is both raw and real, and Brothers Osborne — who, years after those household jam sessions in Deale, now have a handful of nationwide tours under their belts, songs on the charts, and a career on the rise — are no longer a family secret.
Midnight Rider's Prayer
Brothers Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Four wheels, six strings
Low on smoke and gasoline
Born to live a midnight rider's prayer
Same boots, new crowd
Same tune, new town
Tryna get to Heaven 'fore the Devil even knows we're there
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies, we roll down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turnin' our way
And our way
Go hard, live fast
Play guitars for bar tabs
So if there's a crowd, the show will never end
So we set it up and we tear it down
Four hundred miles to the next town
Gonna drive all night just to do it all over again (do it all over again)
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies, we roll down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turnin' our way
And our way
When your night is ending
Ours is just beginning
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies, we roll down the highway
We're the best of friends
And our way
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies, we roll down the highway
Brothers to the end
Insisting that the world keep turnin' our way
And our way
The song "Midnight Rider's Prayer" by Brothers Osborne captures the life and mindset of a group of musicians living on the road. The lyrics reflect a sense of freedom and camaraderie that comes with their nomadic lifestyle.
The first stanza sets the stage with the image of four wheels and six strings, symbolizing their vehicle and musical instruments. They are low on resources, such as smoke and gasoline, but they are fueled by a deep conviction and dedication to their craft. They believe in living a "midnight rider's prayer," suggesting a rebellious and adventurous spirit.
The second stanza portrays the constant movement of their lives. They are constantly in new towns, playing the same music to new crowds. They are striving to reach Heaven, to achieve success, before the Devil catches on. This line represents their desire to make their mark in the world, to leave a lasting legacy before it's too late.
The chorus of the song emphasizes their close bond as a group. They compare themselves to a band of gypsies, always on the road, always in motion. They see themselves as the best of friends, united in their pursuit of their dreams. They insist that the world keeps turning their way, implying a determination to succeed against all odds.
The following stanza reflects their dedication to their craft. They go hard and live fast, playing in bars for the promise of a free tab. They set up and tear down their equipment, constantly moving from town to town. They are willing to drive all night just to do it all over again, demonstrating their relentless work ethic and love for what they do.
The repeated chorus reinforces their commitment to their nomadic lifestyle. They see themselves as a band of brothers, who will stick together until the end. They believe in their music and demand that the world keeps turning their way, reaffirming their determination.
The final lines of the song bring a sense of contrast and anticipation. While others may believe their night is ending, the midnight riders see it as just the beginning. They embrace the darkness and the unknown, finding new adventures and opportunities as they continue their journey.
In summary, "Midnight Rider's Prayer" by Brothers Osborne explores the thrilling yet challenging life of musicians constantly on the road. The lyrics convey their shared camaraderie, unwavering determination, and the belief that, despite the hardships, they are destined to find success their own way.
Line by Line Meaning
Four wheels, six strings
Using a car and guitars as our means of transportation and expression
Low on smoke and gasoline
Running on fumes but determined to keep going
Born to live a midnight rider's prayer
Destined to embrace the lifestyle of a late-night traveling musician
Same boots, new crowd
Familiar attire, but always facing a different audience
Same tune, new town
Playing the same music, but in a fresh location
Tryna get to Heaven 'fore the Devil even knows we're there
Striving to achieve success and fulfillment before facing any obstacles
Go hard, live fast
Living with intensity and embracing a fast-paced lifestyle
Play guitars for bar tabs
Performing music and using it as a currency to pay for our drinks
So if there's a crowd, the show will never end
Ensuring that as long as there is an audience, our performance will continue
So we set it up and we tear it down
Preparing and dismantling our stage setup with every new venue
Four hundred miles to the next town
Travelling long distances to reach the next destination
Gonna drive all night just to do it all over again (do it all over again)
Driving through the night to repeat the cycle of performances
When your night is ending, ours is just beginning
While others are winding down, our journey is only starting
Brothers to the end
We are bonded like family and will stick together until the end
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Osborne, Paul Moak, Thomas Osborne, Willie Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@taylorcrain4740
Don’t you whence from sorrow
never let it borrow,
who you are in your name
don’t you hide from the pain
as there ain’t no shame
in barely getting by,
freedom is something
you cannot buy
either you want it or you don’t,
I must sigh.
@nrbryant23
I love the cold feeling of the old legends shadowing over the song
@dobazajr
Grammy nominated this year. Congratulations!!
@Groteskfull
This is a certified driving tune, love it.
@hechler444
This. It’s in my “drive” playlist
God’s gonna cut you down
Sleeping on the blacktop
House of the rising sun
Songs like these - have any other suggestions?
@jacksonhyde2793
So good driving a roadtrip at night
@Serperior-Deoxys
@@hechler444 May be hard to find, but Welcome To Harbor City by Jason Graves. It's instrumental, but when you hear it, it straight sounds like a scene of a car driving on a road at night.
@hissingoose
When my wife and I first heard this we got big time Toby Keith vibes, which is a good thing.
Need more songs like this.
@kt9495
This is amazing. I came here from Ralph Lauren’s California Dreaming. Much love to all the creative genius’ out there ✌🏼
@RealJoeelliottofficial
🤘🏻🤘🏻🎤🎤🌹
@NadaApasao
Will be truckin’ to this… 10-4, over and out. 🛻🔥👍