In 1984 Hornsby formed Bruce Hornsby & the Range, who were signed to RCA Records in 1985. Besides Hornsby, Range members were David Mansfield (guitar, mandolin, violin), George Marinelli (guitars and backing vocals), Joe Puerta (bass guitar and backing vocals), and John Molo (drums).
During the 1990s he toured with the Grateful Dead, and released four albums, including A Night on the Town (1990) after which he split from The Range. Harbor Lights (1993) was his first solo album and signaled Hornsby was moving in a new jazz-influenced direction, whilst retaining elements of rock and pop. Later releases include Hot House (1995) and Spirit Trail (1998).
His experimental album Big Swing Face (2002) attracted much criticism as it veered away from his piano-based style. Despite these criticisms, he returned with his next studio album, shrugging off RCA and signing to Sony Music Entertainment. Halcyon Days, released in 2004, saw a return to the piano as the key instrument; this album also became the premise for his world tour the same year.
Hornsby continues to tour with his live band "The Noisemakers", in addition to solo shows and his progressive bluegrass performances with Ricky Skaggs.
In 2007 he released Camp Meeting, his first total jazz album as The Bruce Hornsby Trio, which involved jazz giants, Jack DeJohnette and Christian McBride with whom he made live appearances with throughout 2007.
In March 2007 Hornsby teamed with bluegrass player Ricky Skaggs to produce a bluegrass album, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby, and played several tour dates together. The seeds for the album had been sown in 2000 when the pair collaborated on "Darlin' Cory", a track on the Big Mon Bill Monroe bluegrass tribute album and then proposed recording an album together. Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby, featuring the duo backed by Skaggs's band Kentucky Thunder, combined bluegrass, traditional country, "a tinge of Hornsby's jazzy piano and a splash of humor" on a spectrum of songs from the traditional to new compositions such as the opening track "The Dreaded Spoon," "a humorous tale of a youthful ice cream heist. The pair also reinvented Hornsby's hit "Mandolin Rain" as a minor key acoustic ballad and "give his cautionary tale of backwoods violence", "A Night On the Town," a treatment highlighting the "Appalachian storytelling tradition that was always at the song's heart. The album ended with a surprise cover of Rick James's funk hit "Super Freak" in a bluegrass arrangement. Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby topped Billboard's bluegrass charts for several weeks. The album showed Hornsby carving out a place for piano within traditional bluegrass, disproving the notion that the piano is not compatible with "string-oriented" bluegrass.
Concurrently with the bluegrass project, Hornsby recorded a jazz album, Camp Meeting. with Christian McBride (bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums). Alongside original compositions by Hornsby, the trio delivered "newly reharmonized versions" of tunes by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell, a previously unrecorded Ornette Coleman work ("Questions and Answers") and an early Keith Jarrett composition ("Death and the Flower.") The trio made a series of appearances in the summer of 2007, including the Playboy Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival and at the Hollywood Bowl.
On January 4, 2007, former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart reunited along with Hornsby, Mike Gordon (of Phish and the Rhythm Devils) and Warren Haynes to play two sets. including Dead classics, at a post-inauguration fundraising party for Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House in the United States Congress.
Hornsby wrote songs for a Broadway Musical, titled "SCKBSTD"; one song from this project, a playful biographical tune about real-estate tycoon Donald Trump titled "The Don of Dons," made several appearances in setlists during his early-2007 solo piano performances. He also composed the score for Spike Lee's ESPN documentary, Kobe Doin' Work, about NBA star Kobe Bryant and his MVP season.
Outside of music composition and performance, Hornsby has taken an ownership interest in Williamsburg area radio station "The Tide," WTYD 92.3 FM, and he has endowed the Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program at University of Miami's Frost School of Music, encouraging the study of songwriting broadly across traditional genres. Hornsby played himself in a cameo role in the Robin Williams movie World's Greatest Dad, in which Williams' character is a Bruce Hornsby fan.
He has also been honored by piano makers Steinway & Sons with their Limited Edition Signature Piano Series. Hornsby selected ten Model B Steinway Grands to be featured in this collection, each one personalized with his signature. Hornsby owns three 9-foot Model D Steinway Grands himself.
Cast-Off
Bruce Hornsby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it don't feel so bad
I abide, and I may hold a key
To being gratefully glad
You smile in my face (we should run away now)
(On my way down) all the time, you won't take my place (I've been all the way round)
Here's my back for stabbin'
Did I make you?
Won't wait it up, I won't weigh you down (won't taint it up, taint it up)
I won't crave it up, I will stand down (won't taint it up)
I won't taint it up, I will stand down (won't taint it up, taint it up)
Will you pass me off?
I'll be, I'll be your cast-off
Be your discarded toy
I'll be, I'll be your cast-off
Your maybe, sometime choice
Self-loathing never felt so good
And so it should
I'll be your cast-off
I'll be your discarded toy
Be your rejection foil
Won't wait it up, I won't weigh you down (won't taint it up, taint it up)
I won't crave it up, I will stand down (won't taint it up)
I won't taint it up, I will stand down (won't taint it up, taint it up)
Will you pass me off?
I'll be, I'll be your cast-off
Be your discarded toy
I'll be, I'll be your cast-off
Your maybe, sometime choice
Be your rejection foil
I kinda ain't shit
But I embrace it
I can be okay
I'll take what I can get
And like it, and like it well
I'll be your cast-off
Be your discarded tone
Discarded toy
Discarded chew toy
Smile in my face
All the time, you won't take my place
Here's my back for stabbin'
Cast-Off by Bruce Hornsby is an emotionally complex song that talks about the feeling of being discarded or rejected by someone, but still being okay with the situation. Hornsby acknowledges that it's not an ideal situation, but he chooses to find gratitude in the little things that he does have. The title, Cast-Off, refers to how he's being treated as someone who is easily replaceable, like a discarded toy. Despite this, Hornsby finds a sense of self-loathing that makes him feel good, suggesting that he has come to terms with his situation but is content with his role.
In the first verse, Hornsby questions whether he has somehow made the other person treat him this way, and is okay with being a discardable item. He won't be a burden or inconvenience to the other person but will stand down and not try to fight the situation. In the chorus, he repeats the idea that he is a cast-off, a discarded toy, and someone who has been rejected. Nevertheless, he takes some pride in his ability to accept who he is, flaws and all.
In the second verse, Hornsby acknowledges his own imperfections, saying that he's not much, but he embraces it. He understands that he's not at the top of the pecking order, and he's happy for what he can get. He knows that he's someone's "rejected toy," but he accepts it anyway. The repeated mention of the other person smiling in his face while not taking his place suggests a sense of duplicity on their part. The final line of the song is interesting as he says, "Here's my back for stabbin'," which may be a sign of resignation or perhaps a challenge stating that he is willing to take abuse but it won't crush him.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess it's terrible
I understand that what has happened might not be good.
But it don't feel so bad
However, the situation doesn't seem as terrible as it should.
I abide, and I may hold a key
I am okay with the situation and may know something that can turn it around.
To being gratefully glad
I can help change this into an opportunity that we will all appreciate.
You smile in my face (we should run away now)
Although you seem friendly, there might be hidden intentions behind your behavior. You and I should leave now.
(On my way down) all the time, you won't take my place (I've been all the way round)
Despite my struggles, you haven't offered any help. I have to face this alone.
Here's my back for stabbin'
I am putting myself in a vulnerable position with you, who might hurt me later.
Did I make you?
I am questioning if I have any influence over you and if you care about me at all.
Won't wait it up, I won't weigh you down (won't taint it up, taint it up)
I don't want to hold you back or make things worse between us.
I won't crave it up, I will stand down (won't taint it up)
I won't create problems, I will step back and let things be.
Will you pass me off?
Are you going to abandon me and move on to something else?
I'll be, I'll be your cast-off
I will be your second or third choice, someone you use occasionally.
Be your discarded toy
I will be the toy you use for a while and then throw away.
Your maybe, sometime choice
You will consider me only when you need me, but won't prioritize me.
Self-loathing never felt so good
Despite feeling low and unwanted, being in this position is somehow okay.
And so it should
Feeling this way is justified and makes sense given the current situation.
I'll be your cast-off
I will accept that I am not your first choice and let you use me as you please.
Your maybe, sometime choice
I will be available when you feel like it, but won't expect much in return.
Be your rejection foil
I will be the one that you reject or discard when you don't need me anymore.
I kinda ain't shit
I am aware that I might not be the most valuable or desirable person.
But I embrace it
Despite this, I am ready to accept my place and role in this situation.
I can be okay
I will try to find peace and satisfaction in this situation.
I'll take what I can get
I will not expect much and will appreciate anything that you offer me.
And like it, and like it well
I will not complain and will make the best of what I have.
Be your discarded tone
I will be the sound you play when there is nobody else around.
Discarded chew toy
I will be the toy you give to your dog once you are done playing with me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Hornsby, Justin Vernon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@killua4162
Rejeitado
Eu acho que é terrível
Mas não me sinto tão mal
Eu permaneço, e posso ter uma chave
Para ser grato feliz
Você sorri na minha cara (devemos fugir agora)
(Na minha descida) o tempo todo, você não vai tomar o meu lugar (eu já fiz toda a volta)
Aqui está minhas costas para esfaquear
Eu fiz você?
Não vou esperar, não vou sobrecarregar você (não vou contaminá-lo, contaminá-lo)
Eu não vou ansiar por isso, vou me afastar (não vou contaminá-lo)
Não vou contaminá-lo, vou ficar parado (não vou contaminá-lo, contaminá-lo)
Você vai me ignorar?
Eu serei, eu serei seu rejeitado
Ser seu brinquedo descartado
Eu serei, eu serei seu rejeitado
Sua escolha talvez, algum dia
Auto-aversão nunca foi tão bom
E assim deveria
Eu serei seu refugo
Serei seu brinquedo descartado
Serei sua folha de rejeição
Não vou esperar, não vou sobrecarregar você (não vou contaminá-lo, contaminá-lo)
Eu não vou ansiar por isso, vou me afastar (não vou contaminá-lo)
Não vou contaminá-lo, vou ficar parado (não vou contaminá-lo, contaminá-lo)
Você vai me ignorar?
Eu serei, eu serei seu rejeitado
Ser seu brinquedo descartado
Eu serei, eu serei seu rejeitado
Sua escolha talvez, algum dia
Seja sua folha de rejeição
Eu meio que não sou uma merda
Mas eu abraço isso
Eu posso ficar bem
Eu vou pegar o que eu conseguir
E goste e goste bem
Eu serei seu refugo
Serei o seu tom descartado
Brinquedo descartado
Brinquedo para roer descartado
Sorria na minha cara
O tempo todo, você não vai tomar meu lugar
Aqui está minhas costas para esfaquear
@NWschusser
I heard this song on my Pandora station and has to pull over so I could close my eyes and lose myself in it. It is such a beautiful arrangement, and I’m pretty sure I’ve listened to it about 50 times in the past 48 hours. I’m just so so so glad I managed to cross paths with it. I’m 51 and I grew up with Bruce Hornsby, but with Justin of Bon Iver?? This is just a very special song. Stunning.
@Gmodderable
Bruce Hornsby is criminally underrated.
@allencooper1990
Amen
@timothyholcomb8494
Gmodderable I soo agree such an incredible piano player
@nolanknows1401
Gmodderable guy once stole a sandwich from me. So to me he's literally a criminal
@gainesstreetpies4849
Is he ? He is my favorite musician ever...and still making bad ass envelope pushing music with my current favs...such as this right here with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver as well as James Mercer of the shins !
@Stonecrow25
The Guy did the GD the biggest solid in the history of being solid.
@ZacharyWilliam
Cast-Off blows every other track on his new album out of the water and it isn’t even close (in my opinion). Bruce is my favorite artist and I am only 31 and a singer/songwriter/musician myself. I get that he has been experimenting a good bit with other instruments and styles of music but this, in my opinion, is what Bruce is capable of when he sticks to piano. A lot of people have their own interests and tastes in music so again, just my opinion but this is a great track that is similar to his rendition of “Black Muddy Water” with a little more pickup.
@Bgoods
Bruce is in his 60's still collaborating, still writing music that's both fresh / accessible and also innovative. Most guys in his position have slowed down to the greatest hits concert tour thing by this point.
@MarybethKern
Agreed! Bruce is an innovative genius. A true artist! Everything he touches is fresh and BRILLIANT. Keep going, Bruce! I love hearing your music evolve through the years!