Russell was born in Austin, Texas, on 1 November 1948. At age 12, Russell b… Read Full Bio ↴Russell was born in Austin, Texas, on 1 November 1948. At age 12, Russell began learning guitar and at 13 joined a band called The Cavemen. In 1989, he met Patrick Mathe of the French record label, New Rose Records, while at a party in Austin and gave him a demo tape intended for noted Austin guitarist and producer, Charlie Sexton.

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.

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Wild Wild West
Calvin Russell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I got a honky tonk heart
And a juke box brain
I got the rock and roll rythm
Runnin' in my veins
I got the Route 66
Tattoed on my chest
I park my horse
Out in the Wild wild west

I got a boogie woogie baby
With a juke box walk
Every time she talks
I got Route 66
Tattoed on my chest
I shoot my gun

Out in the Wild wild west

I got a honky tonk heart
And a juke box brain
I got the rock and roll rythm
Runnin' in my veins
I got Route 66
Tattoed on my chest
I park my horse

Out in the Wild wild west
I have my hat out in the Wild wild west.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Calvin Russell’s song “Wild Wild West” are an expression of the singer’s love for the American West and its distinct culture. The song is a lively celebration of the Wild West genre and incorporates classic Americana imagery to convey the singer’s fascination with the region. The opening lines, “I got a honky-tonk heart and a jukebox brain,” set the tone for a song that portrays the singer as a dyed-in-the-wool cowboy who spends his nights in honky-tonk bars and has rock and roll music running through his veins.

Russell’s lyrics mention the iconic Route 66, which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, and is a symbol of American westward expansion. The singer boasts of having a tattoo of the famous highway on his chest, further emphasizing his love for the West. The lyrics also mention a “boogie-woogie baby”, who has a “jukebox walk”. This line may imply that the singer is drawn to a particular type of woman who shares his love of music and the Wild West lifestyle.

The chorus repeats the opening lines and is a reminder that the singer has a “parked horse out in the Wild wild west”, indicating that he is a cowboy through and through. Overall, Calvin Russell’s “Wild Wild West” is a lively and earnest tribute to the frontier spirit of the American West.

Line by Line Meaning

I got a honky tonk heart
My heart is filled with the love of classic country music and the lifestyle that goes with it.

And a juke box brain
My mind is always occupied with the sounds and lyrics of songs that I have heard on the jukebox.

I got the rock and roll rythm
My body moves to the beats of rock and roll. It is an irresistible rhythm that takes over me.

Runnin' in my veins
The passion I have for music is deeply ingrained in me, it is a part of who I am.

I got the Route 66
I identify so much with the freedom and adventure one feels on the open road, particularly the famous Route 66 in America.

Tattoed on my chest
That's how much I love and represent my connection with the American road trip spirit.

I park my horse
I may not have a car, but I make up for it by arriving on horseback as a true cowboy would.

Out in the Wild wild west
I live in the true wild west, where anything goes and nothing is boring. It's a place where I can live the free life I want.

I got a boogie woogie baby
I am not alone in my love for music, my partner shares the same passion.

With a juke box walk
My partner is so in sync with me that we walk like we are dancing to a jukebox tune.

Every time she talks
Just hearing her speak is enough to make me feel like I am in the presence of music.

I shoot my gun
I am not afraid to take risks or protect what I hold dear. I am a true cowboy.

I have my hat
Hats are a symbol of the Wild west and by wearing one, I show my love and respect for the culture surrounding me.

Out in the Wild wild west
I continue to live my life as fully as possible in this wild west, never compromising on my love and passion for music and freedom.

Contributed by Sydney G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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