He would go on to sign with the label releasing his first solo album in 1990 entitled A Crack In Time. In promotion of the album, Russell began touring extensively throughout Europe achieving a level of success he had yet to obtain back in the United States.
Russell would go on to release over a dozen albums on various labels. Throughout his career, he battled with drug and alcohol addiction and was arrested in Texas for cocaine possession in 1995.
On 3 April 2011, Russell died in Garfield, Texas, after a lengthy battle with liver cancer at the age of 62. He is survived by Swiss-born wife, Cynthia, who continues to live in Central Texas and son, Justin.
Wikipedia: Calvin Russell
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All Along The Watchtower
Calvin Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
said the joker to the thief
There´s too much confusion...
I can´t get no relief
Business men they drink my wine
Plowman, dig my earth
None of them along the line
…
No reason to get excited
The thief he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But, uh...but you and I, we´ve been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin´ falsely now
The hour´s getting late, hey
…
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl
…
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl
…
Thank you very much so long, bonjour
The lyrics to "All Along the Watchtower" tell a story of two characters, the joker and the thief, who are in a state of confusion and seeking a way out. The first verse sets the scene with the joker expressing his desperation to leave, but feeling trapped. He is surrounded by people who do not understand the value or meaning of what he possesses, as represented by the business men drinking his wine and the plowman digging his earth. This creates a feeling of frustration and a sense of being stuck in the same cycle of life with no escape.
In the second verse, the thief responds to the joker and tries to reassure him that many people see life as a joke, but the two of them know better. The tone changes from desperation to a sense of urgency as they both acknowledge that their fate is not to be trapped in this cycle forever. They have been through similar circumstances in the past and must speak truthfully and seize the moment before it's too late.
The final two verses repeat the image of the watchtower with princes, women, and barefoot servants coming and going while a wildcat growls in the distance. This is a metaphorical representation of social power, where the powerful and wealthy (the princes) observe and control those beneath them (the servants) without much understanding (the women) of their struggles. The two riders in the distance represent the possibility of escape or change, but the wind howling suggests that this will not be an easy journey.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way outta here
The singer feels trapped and hopeless, and wishes for a way to escape
said the joker to the thief
The singer is addressing someone who they feel is equally powerless
There´s too much confusion...
The world is full of chaos and disorder
I can´t get no relief
Despite wishing for a way out, the artist cannot find any solace from their troubles
Business men they drink my wine
Those in power take advantage of and consume the resources of the less privileged
Plowman, dig my earth
Even those who work hard are at the mercy of those in control
None of them along the line
No one, regardless of their status or position, truly understands the meaning of life
Know what any of it is worth
The artist believes that nothing in life has inherent value or purpose
No reason to get excited
Despite the dire circumstances, one should remain calm and level-headed
The thief he kindly spoke
The person the artist was addressing responds with empathy and kindness
There are many here among us
The feeling of hopelessness is not unique to the singer, but is shared by many
Who feel that life is but a joke
Many people believe that life is meaningless or absurd
But, uh...but you and I, we´ve been through that
The singer and the person they are addressing have both experienced these feelings, but have moved past them
And this is not our fate
The current situation does not have to dictate their future or define them
So let us stop talkin´ falsely now
They should stop lying to themselves and others about their situation and work to change it
The hour´s getting late, hey
Time is running out, and they need to act quickly to make a difference
All along the watchtower
The setting of the song is a watchtower, which represents a place of heightened awareness and vigilance
Princes kept the view
The powerful and wealthy are keeping watch over the world, but may not have the best interests of the common people in mind
While all the women came and went
Life continues on in its cyclical and mundane way, despite the turmoil and chaos
Barefoot servants, too
Even those who are oppressed and subjugated have a role to play in society
Outside in the cold distance
There is danger and uncertainty lurking in the future, which may be out of their control
A wildcat did growl
An animalistic and primal force is stirring, representing the danger and chaos of the world
Two riders were approaching
A potential threat or opportunity is on the horizon, coming closer and closer
And the wind began to howl
The intensity of the situation is increasing, and the forces of nature are picking up
Thank you very much so long, bonjour
The song is ending with a polite farewell.
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
christdeep leroy
superbe vocale us et quel guitariste!!! merci monsieur Russel!!
Overtime Freak
Meine Güte, wieviel Stimmung eine Stimme und eine Gitarre erzeugen können....super Version
Wagiblues
absolutely genius
fabrissse
tres belle reprise merci calvin
Wagiblues
tut weh, dass er nicht mehr da ist. What a musician...
Stiegsfeld
Ich liebe diesen Song!
R.I.P Calvin!
zonk219
Fuckin good Song !
Peter Bircham
damn right !!!
Lucio Tortato
great great great! thanks