William Dale Fries Jr. (November 15, 1928 – April 1, 2022), best known by h… Read Full Bio ↴William Dale Fries Jr. (November 15, 1928 – April 1, 2022), best known by his stage name C. W. McCall, was an American singer who wrote truck-themed outlaw country songs. Prior to his musical career, he worked in advertising, and won several Clio Awards. His most successful song was "Convoy", a surprise pop-crossover hit in 1975, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He was elected mayor of Ouray, Colorado, and served in that position from 1986 to 1992.

McCall was born Billie Dale Fries on November 15, 1928, in Audubon, Iowa. His father was also called Billie and so he was the junior. He later legally changed his name to William Dale Fries, Jr.

McCall is best known for the 1976 No. 1 hit song, "Convoy". Its theme of using CB radio to rebel against the new federal speed limit of 55 mph was popular and topical so the single sold over two million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in December 1975. Though McCall is not a one-hit wonder, "Convoy" went on to become his signature song. McCall first charted the song "Wolf Creek Pass", which reached No. 40 on the U.S. pop top 40 in 1975. Two other songs reached the Billboard Hot 100, "Old Home Filler-Up an' Keep on a-Truckin' Cafe", as well as the environmentally-oriented "There Won't Be No Country Music (There Won't Be No Rock 'n' Roll)". "Classified" and "'Round the World with the Rubber Duck" (a pirate-flavored sequel to "Convoy") bubbled under the Hot 100. A dozen McCall songs appeared on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, including the sentimental "Roses for Mama" (1977).

In 1978, the movie Convoy was released, based on the C. W. McCall song. The film starred Kris Kristofferson, Ali MacGraw, Burt Young, and Ernest Borgnine and was directed by Sam Peckinpah. It featured a new version of the song, written specially for the film.

The song "Convoy" is featured in Grand Theft Auto V. In 2014, Rolling Stone ranked "Convoy" No. 98 on their list of 100 Greatest Country Songs.

In addition to the "original six" McCall albums released between 1975 and 1979, two rare singles exist. "Kidnap America" was a politically/socially-conscious track released in 1980 during the Iran hostage crisis, while "Pine Tar Wars" referred to an event that actually happened in a New York Yankees–Kansas City Royals baseball game during 1983 (a dispute concerning the application of a large quantity of pine tar to a baseball bat used by George Brett, one of the Royals' players).

Fries died on April 1, 2022, at age 93 from complications of cancer. In an interview he conducted on February 9 while in palliative hospice care, he gave his blessing for the use of his signature song "Convoy" for the Freedom Convoy protests in Canada, with Taste of Country noting that he was "energized and enthusiastic" about the revival of interest in the song and its message.

Flowers on the Wall
C.W. McCall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, now, I been hearin' you're concerned about my happiness
But all a' that thought you're a-givin' me is conscience, I guess
If I was walkin' in your shoes I wouldn't worry none
So you and your friends don't worry 'bout me, I'm havin' lots of fun

[Chorus]
Countin' flowers on the wall
That don't bother me at all

Playin' solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty-one
Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
Now don't tell me I've a-nothin' to do

Last night I dressed in tails pretendin' I was on the town
As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this cowboy down
So please don't give a thought to me I'm really doin' fine
And you can always find me here and havin' quite a time

[Chorus]

Well, it's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright
Well, any ol' way my eyes are not accustomed to this light
And my boots are not accustomed to this kind a' street
So I must go back to my room and make my day complete

[Chorus]

A-don't tell me I've a-nothin' to do

Overall Meaning

The song "Flowers On The Wall" by C.W. McCall is a song about a person who has ended a relationship and is being encouraged to move on by their concerned friends. The singer reassures their friends that they are doing just fine and are keeping themselves occupied. The lyrics suggest that the singer is enjoying their newfound freedom and is living life on their own terms, despite being a little lonely. This is exemplified through the lines "Countin' flowers on the wall / That don't bother me at all / Playin' solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty-one".

The chorus emphasizes the singer's laid-back attitude towards life and their current situation. The line "Now don't tell me I've a-nothin' to do" seems to be a statement of defiance against the people trying to tell them what to do. The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the importance of independence and the ability to enjoy one's own company.

Overall, "Flowers On The Wall" is a catchy and upbeat song that celebrates the joys of solitude and independence. It speaks to anyone who has ever been in a situation where they needed to find happiness within themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

A-don't tell me I've a-nothin' to do
I am not interested in your concern, please do not assume that I have nothing to do.

Countin' flowers on the wall, That don't bother me at all, Playin' solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty-one, Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo
I am content with my current routine and leisure activities and do not require any external concern or assistance.

Well, now, I been hearin' you're concerned about my happiness, But all a' that thought you're a-givin' me is conscience, I guess, If I was walkin' in your shoes I wouldn't worry none, So you and your friends don't worry 'bout me, I'm havin' lots of fun
I appreciate your concern, but it is unnecessary and simply causes me guilt. If our roles were reversed, I would not be concerned. Please do not concern yourself with my well-being as I am enjoying myself without any issues.

Last night I dressed in tails pretendin' I was on the town, As long as I can dream it's hard to slow this cowboy down, So please don't give a thought to me I'm really doin' fine, And you can always find me here and havin' quite a time
I enjoy living in my own world and pretending to be somewhere that I'm not. I am content with my current direction and do not need any interventions. Please understand that I am not experiencing any difficulties, and you can always find me enjoying myself.

Well, it's good to see you, I must go, I know I look a fright, Well, any ol' way my eyes are not accustomed to this light, And my boots are not accustomed to this kind a' street, So I must go back to my room and make my day complete
It was nice seeing you, but I am not used to this environment and must return to my comfort zone. My appearance may not be up to your standards, but it does not concern me. I will do what I need to do to feel complete and fulfilled.

[Chorus] Countin' flowers on the wall, That don't bother me at all, Playin' solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty-one, Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo, Now don't tell me I've a-nothin' to do
The chorus repeats what was said earlier - I am perfectly content with my leisurely activities, and it is unnecessary to worry about me or assume that I need any help.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lewis Dewitt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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