Hornsby is the second of three sons born to Lois (Saunier) and Robert S. Hornsby, who was a successful oil and real estate executive in Williamsburg, Virginia. The other sons, Robert "Bobby" Jr., and Jonathan, are highly regarded musicians in their own right.
Hornsby grew up listening to all types of music. He studied music at the University of Richmond, as well as the highly regarded Berklee College of Music and the University of Miami, from which he graduated in 1977.
In the spring of 1974, Hornsby's brother Bobby, who was a brother of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the University of Virginia, formed a band, "Bobby Hi-Test and the Octane Kids" to play fraternity ragers, featuring Bruce on Fender Rhodes and vocals.
"We used to play college grain-alcohol parties," remembers Hornsby. "We did a little Allman Brothers, a little Band, but almost all Dead. We used to do 'Jack Straw', 'Sugar Magnolia', 'Truckin',' 'Not Fade Away', 'Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad'...lots of Europe '72 and Skull and Roses. We didn't do a whole lot of money gigs, but it was more about just going to this country house that my brother lived in with all these hippies, and sitting around playing."
Following his graduation from the University of Miami, Hornsby spent time in Los Angeles as a session musician and songwriter before moving back to his native southeastern Virginia
In 1984 he formed Bruce Hornsby and 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).
Hornsby's recording career started with the biggest hit he would ever have, entitled "The Way It Is". With a propulsive yet contemplative piano riff and the refrain, That's just the way it is, some things will never change, the song was both catchy and reflective of the American Civil Rights movement, and it topped the American music charts in 1986. In years to come, the song would be sampled by at least six rap artists, including Tupac Shakur, E-40, and Mase. It is also used as some of the introductory music to Sean Hannity's popular talk radio program.
With the success of the single worldwide, the album The Way It Is went multi-platinum and produced another top five hit with "Mandolin Rain" (co-written, as many of Hornsby's songs were, with his brother John). "Every Little Kiss" also did respectably well. Other tracks on the album helped establish what some labeled the "Virginia sound", a mixture of rock, jazz, and bluegrass with an observational Southern feel. Hornsby and the Range would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1987.
The wave of fame continued to roll with Hornsby and the Range's second album, Scenes From The Southside (on which Peter Harris replaced Mansfield). Released in 1988, it featured such hits as "Look Out Any Window" and "The Valley Road". The song "Jacob's Ladder" was featured as well, having originally been written by Hornsby for musician friend Huey Lewis. Lewis' version became a number one hit from his album Fore!. Scenes was successful in its own right and it would also be the last to perform so well in the singles market.
In 1988, Hornsby first appeared on stage with the Grateful Dead, lending some assistance to that group's somewhat unstable keyboards position, in this case following the death of Brent Mydland and preceding the incorporation of Vince Welnick as full-time keyboardist. Hornsby played piano (and occasionally the accordion) nightly with the Grateful Dead from September 1990 through March 24, 1992. He co-composed the song "Silver Apples of the Moon" for the Grateful Dead's Infrared Roses. This collaboration would continue on an less regular basis until the Grateful Dead ended in 1995; in all he made more than a hundred appearances with them. In 1989 Hornsby co-wrote and played piano on Don Henley's big hit "The End of the Innocence". In 1991 Hornsby played piano on Bonnie Raitt's popular hit "I Can't Make You Love Me". Hornsby would feature both these songs in his own concerts.
A Night On The Town was released in 1990. A change in style became apparent as the album was much more guitar driven, while the others were centered around Hornsby at the piano. After the album, the Range broke up with each member pursuing respective musical careers.
Hornsby would go on to release his first solo album, Harbor Lights, in 1993. This record showcased Hornsby in a more jazz-oriented setting and featured an all-star lineup, including Pat Metheny, Branford Marsalis, Jerry Garcia, Phil Collins, and Raitt. The tone was set by the opening title track, which after 50 seconds of expansive Virginia sound solo piano (written and recorded by Hornsby after the rest of the track was finished, because, as Hornsby would later say, he thought it would make a good opening to the album) lurches into an up-tempo jazz number, ending with Metheny's guitar runs. The album closes the same way on "Pastures of Plenty", this time with Garcia intertwined with Hornsby's piano. The mid-tempo "Fields of Gray", written for Hornsby's recently-born twin boys, received some modest radio airplay.
Harbor Lights was well-received by critics and fans, but Hornsby acknowledged that his days of popular commercial success were behind him, saying in interviews that it had been an accident that his McCoy Tyner-influenced piano work ever found itself in the middle of a hit record in the first place..
In 1995, Hot House was released. The jazz feelings that peppered the previous album would be expanded on here, giving the album a constant uptempo party sound. As is typical with Hornsby, the underlying messages behind the catchy tunes are often very dark, such as on "Country Doctor" and "White Wheeled Limousine". Murder, nuclear disaster, adultery: these dark themes and more can be found in many Hornsby compositions. (Interestingly enough, the song "White Wheeled Limousine" had debuted five years earlier as an encore to Branford Marsalis's opening act for the Grateful Dead's 1990/91 New Year's Concert, Marsilis and Rob Wasserman joined Hornsby in the performance). The album also makes an homage to Hornsby's years with the Dead via his recasting of the instrumental bridge of the Dead's song "Estimated Prophet" as the newly-lyricized Hornsby tune "Tango King." The album featured many of the same guests as on his previous record, such as Pat Metheny, and added folk music to Hornsby's usual mix. Bela Fleck also collaborates again on banjo, having previously appeared on A Night on the Town. The album also boasts more prominent roles for Harbor Lights alums John D'earth on trumpet and Bobby Read on woodwinds, and Read continues to perform with Hornsby to this date.
Three years later, Hornsby released a double album, Spirit Trail. Featuring a decidedly goofy picture of his uncle on the cover, the collection blends instrumental tracks with the story-telling, rock, jazz, and other musical forms Hornsby had delved into over his career. Among other homages, the song "Sunflower Cat, Some Dour Cat, Down With That" samples and loops the main lick from the Dead song "China Cat Sunflower." Hornsby's piano playing gained further complexity here, as evidenced by his two-hand-independence on such tracks as "King of the Hill," and prompting Hornsby's devoted fanbase to not only request songs at concerts (a long time Hornsby feature at live shows) but to begin requesting "two-hand-independence".
Hornsby next worked with several Grateful Dead reformation projects, including several Furthur Festivals and the ultimate formation of The Other Ones, which resulted in the release a live album. Hornsby's own touring band line up underwent extensive change during this period as well, not the least of which was the apparent end of musical collaboration with long time drummer John Molo. As Hornsby experimented with a different sound, ushering in frequent collaborations with such musicians as Steve Kimrock on guitar and Bobby Read on heavily effects-driven electronic woodwinds, his current band, dubbed The Noise Makers, took shape. In 2000, Hornsby chronicled this journey with a compilation live album entitled Here Come The Noise Makers, and did extensive touring.
It would not be until 2002 when he would release another album of new material, entitled Big Swing Face. Hornsby wanted to experiment and did so by dropping the piano almost completely in favor of electric pianos and other synthesizers. "Big Swing Face" also evidences a greater reliance upon programmed loops than most of his prior work, as well as lyrics that are in many ways more eccentric and humorous. Although the album marks perhaps Hornsby's most experimental work, including the track "Stick and Stones" which Hornsby cites as his partial homage to Radiohead's "Everything in its right place," the album was not well-received by many and was poorly promoted by RCA, perhaps prompting Hornsby's decision to leave the label.
However, in 2004, after 19 successful years on RCA Records, Hornsby returned to a more acoustic, piano-driven sound on his Columbia Records debut Halcyon Days. Guests included Sting, Elton John, and Eric Clapton. With no signs of slowing down yet, Bruce Hornsby remains a musician more concerned with his devoted fan base and his own growth as an artist than with commercial success.
In July 2006, Hornsby released a box set titled Intersections {1985-2005} to celebrate two decades of his music. The set contains 4 audio CDs containing some pre-released songs and many new songs and recordings from concerts. Much of the music contains collaborations with such artists as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chaka Khan, and Branford Marsalis. The set also includs a DVD containing music videos and video recordings of several songs. All ticketholders on Hornsby's 2006 tour receive a free copy of this set.
Hornsby also has worked with many other artists over the years, including Sheena Easton, Squeeze, Warren Zevon, Chaka Khan, Stevie Nicks, Béla Fleck, Steve Kimock and others. He continues to work with Dead-related projects, such as Bob Weir's Ratdog and The Other Ones, and in 2005 participated in a tribute concert to Jerry Garcia.
Hornsby has also taken an ownership interest in Williamsburg area radio station "The Tide", WTYD 92.3 FM, so that (he said) his music could be heard on the radio in his hometown. Accordingly, his Brunch with Bruce program, where he plays selections from his concerts, is heard on Sunday mornings.
Hornsby undertook a solo tour from October 2, 2006 to February 5, 2007.
Across the River
Bruce Hornsby & the Range Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thirty-five weeks ago today
Oh down the lane
At night she walks on the banks
And remembers how she dreamed of rowing away
And how she left one day
She left with a driven look in her eyes
Came back around with it still inside
We know they always do
Well I know
Some fine day
You will find your way across the river
Across the river
Row down slow
And there's a long way to go
Across the river
Across the river
She was proud and so strong
But she tried not to listen to idle talk
Downtown where she walked
Well, they sit around and they say
That she came back with her tail between her legs
Like they always said she would
Well I hear it's better on the other side
They say you'll never do it so don't even try
Well you may be beaten down with your closed mind
But don't try and make it mine
Well I know
Some fine day
You will find your way across the river
Across the river
Row down slow
And there's a long way to go
Across the river
Across the river
Your wild days are through is what they said
I dreamed she came, when I was down
And I walked where she led
Standing on the shore
She looks to the west with a look of longing
Where the grass seems greener
But there's a hard and distant prize
It probably won't happen but I think I'll try
Well even if it doesn't happen for me
It still beats hanging 'bout here
Well I know
Some fine day
You will find your way across the river
Across the river
Row down slow
And there's a long long way to go
Across the river
Across the river
River
Won't cross the river
Across the river
Across the river
Long long way
Across the river
Across the river
"Across The River" is a song by Bruce Hornsby & the Range, released in 1988, which tells the story of a woman who returned to her hometown after leaving to chase her dreams. The song begins with the description of the woman's return thirty-five weeks ago, and how she walks at night on the banks of the river, remembering how she dreamed of rowing away. The lyrics suggest that the singer is haunted by her decision, but she is still determined to try to make her way across the river despite the risks involved.
The second verse describes how people in town reacted to her return, suggesting that they are not supportive of her dreams and ambitions. They expect her to fail, and they criticize her for returning home with her "tail between her legs." However, the chorus offers a message of hope, telling the listener that they will one day find their way across the river. Hornsby encourages the listener not to listen to naysayers and to keep pursuing their dreams, even if they are beaten down or discouraged by others.
The final verse finds the singer standing on the shore, looking to the west with a "look of longing" as she contemplates the distant prize of her ultimate goal. Even though it may not happen for her, she declares that trying is still better than hanging around in her hometown. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "across the river" and the reminder that it's a long, long way to go.
Line by Line Meaning
Then she moved back around here
A girl returned to the place that she left
Thirty-five weeks ago today
She returned 35 weeks ago
Oh down the lane
She resided down the street
At night she walks on the banks
She often walked next to the river
And remembers how she dreamed of rowing away
She recollects wanting to leave everything behind
And how she left one day
She departed one day
She left with a driven look in her eyes
She left with a determined expression
Came back around with it still inside
She eventually returned with the same determination she left with
They said give it some time and you'll forget about it too
Others told her to wait it out and forget about her ambitions
We know they always do
Those people often gave up on their goals
Well I know
The singer is certain of something
Some fine day
One day in the future
You will find your way across the river
She will make it across the river
Across the river
Crossing the river is the significant objective
Row down slow
Take the journey gradually and steadily
And there's a long way to go
The journey ahead is long
She was proud and so strong
The girl was confident and resilient
But she tried not to listen to idle talk
She ignored the gossip
Downtown where she walked
She walked around the town's center
Well, they sit around and they say
People commonly talk about her in her absence
That she came back with her tail between her legs
That she returned defeated and embarrassed
Like they always said she would
People anticipated her failure
Well I hear it's better on the other side
The other side of the river is supposedly a better place
They say you'll never do it so don't even try
People discouraged her from attempting to reach the other side.
Well you may be beaten down with your closed mind
People may push you down with their unenlightened attitude
But don't try and make it mine
The singer is not troubled by such opinions
Your wild days are through is what they said
Others told her to stop chasing her dreams
I dreamed she came, when I was down
The singer imagined her return when he was feeling low
And I walked where she led
The singer followed her
Standing on the shore
Observing from the river bank
She looks to the west with a look of longing
She gazes wistfully towards the setting sun
Where the grass seems greener
The other side appears to be more perfect
But there's a hard and distant prize
The path to it is difficult and far
It probably won't happen but I think I'll try
She is uncertain about the outcome but will take the chance anyway
Well even if it doesn't happen for me
Even if she fails to cross the river
It still beats hanging 'bout here
It still beats remaining here and doing nothing
River
The water body, River
Won't cross the river
The River is an obstacle to overcome.
Long long way
The journey is longer than initially predicted
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Bruce Hornsby, Jonathan Hornsby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shanehunsinger2609
I have always loved Bruce Hornsby's music. But, this song has a special meaning to me. At the time this album was released, I was living in southern Indiana, about 30 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. Anyone who knows this area will tell you that this particular section of the Ohio River that separates Indiana from Kentucky is one of the most fierce, yet awe-inspiring in it's existence. The width of the river itself is nearly a mile, so whenever you had to cross there were several reinforced bridges that connected both sides. One day, I was riding with my Dad back from a specialists appointment in Louisville, and this song came on the radio. Just as we began our trek across the bridge, the chorus kicked in. I sat there and looked out across the water and for the first time, saw it's beauty and power and found myself wiping away the tears. To this day, I hear this song, and I smile because it takes me back to a much simpler and innocent time. Thus, the power of music.
@lobatoulr7154
....beautiful coment 💕
@leonard530
@ Loboto ULR, I too do agree with your comment !
@nobodysbaby5048
For every small town girl that wanted a different life ...
@birdieloo6168
From your really moving comment it sounds like one of those times I just see something, not for the first time, but in a special way where I’m just in awe of the majesty of creation. It brings tears to my eyes too because it’s such a powerful and overwhelming feeling. It’s beautiful.
@v.dargain1678
Well said . But you gotta visit the Great Lakes if you want to see the awesome rivers connected to them .
@bileg_sado
Think I’m his only fan from 🇲🇳 Mongolia. First listened Bruce Hornsby in 80s last century via short wave radio. Very bad quality interrupted by this time Soviets’ radio scramblers but was captivated by the musician and his songs. Now in my 60s still listening to this great music. Thank you very much, Sir Bruce!
@ReconMarine-lv2kj
The most underrated song of Bruce Hornsby. I love it!
@zciliyafilms5508
Absolutely, a hidden masterpiece.
@user-yp4xb3dc6g
But did it nominate in The Grammy Awards?