A distant relative of Davy Crockett, Charley was born in San Benito, Texas, United States. The son of a single mother with an older brother and sister, Crockett was raised in a trailer park in Los Fresnos, Texas. His mother relocated the family to Dallas, and Crockett spent the summer months with his uncle, who lived in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Upon leaving high school at the age of 17, Crockett decided to travel with his guitar acquired by his mother from a pawn shop. Crockett noted "I taught myself how to play and started to write songs immediately, without any chord knowledge or anything. I didn't know what key I was in for 12 years, but my ear was really good, and I could play in any key and any chord. I just didn't know what it was." His early musical influences came from hearing hip hop, and he became fascinated with the samples used. Crockett said, "I got into Curtis Mayfield through samples of his songs by other artists, and Nina Simone was through a sample. Even J. Cole, I was listening to a song of his ("Kenny Lofton"), and it was based on the sample from the Manhattans version of 'Hurt'".
Crockett played music on the streets in the French Quarter of New Orleans and in Deep Ellum, Dallas as a teenager. Later he traveled further afield by hitchhiking and riding freight, and by 2009 he was busking in New York City. As he improved his performance skills, Crockett organized a street band called the Trainrobbers, which caught the attention of a Manhattan-based representative for Sony Music. She signed the 26-year-old Crockett to a two-year management contract, although he rejected a publishing deal. Eventually tired of life on the streets and the pending expiration of the contract, Crockett relocated to Northern California, where he combined working on farms and communes with performing for three more years. Crockett then existed on the streets in Paris, France, for a year, and briefly lived in Spain and Morocco.
Out of Control
Charley Crockett Lyrics
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Who sits and keeps drinking with his thoughts strayed so far?
It's the same old sad story that has often been told
One drink then another till he's out of control
He sits down at a table with his hands on the glass
For him there's no future there's only the past
He reaches for the bottle but his hands don't take hold
Does he search for contentment that he might hope to find
From a honky tonk woman or the bottles of wine?
He shakes and he trembles even though he's not old
Like a leaf in a whirlwind he's out of control
Yes I'm just like that fellow who sits there all alone
With no one to love me no family at home
I'm a picture of others with a future so cold
A life ain't worth livin' when it's out of control..
The lyrics of "Out of Control" by Charley Crockett delve into the inner struggles and self-destructive behaviors of a man who finds solace in the bottom of a bottle. The song explores the consequences of excessive drinking and the despair that accompanies a life spiraling out of control.
The opening lines depict a man in a bar, consumed by his own thoughts and unable to find escape. He continuously drinks, seeking solace but only falling deeper into his troubles. The repetition of "one drink then another" emphasizes a cycle of dependency, suggesting that he is unable to break free from his destructive habits.
The second verse paints a bleak picture of the man's existence. He is trapped in a stagnant present, haunted by a troubled past, and devoid of any hope for the future. His desperation is captured in his futile attempt to grasp the bottle, his loss of control manifesting physically as his hands fail to hold on. This portrays the depths of his addiction and his inability to regain stability.
The chorus poses introspective questions, suggesting that the man's pursuit of fulfillment may be misplaced. Whether he seeks solace in the arms of a "honky tonk woman" or drowns his sorrows in alcohol, he is left shaking and trembling. Despite his relatively young age, he is overwhelmed, like a leaf caught in a whirlwind. This imagery emphasizes the chaos and unpredictability that comes with a life spiraling out of control.
In the final verse, there is a shift in perspective as the singer reveals that he shares similarities with the man in the bar. He, too, is alone and lacking love and family. The future appears bleak and devoid of warmth, solidifying the overarching theme of despair and hopelessness. The song portrays a life that feels meaningless when it is consumed by addiction and lost in a perpetual cycle of self-destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
What goes wrong with the mind of a man in a bar
What causes the mind of a man in a bar to malfunction?
Who sits and keeps drinking with his thoughts strayed so far?
Who remains seated, continuously drinking, while his thoughts wander aimlessly?
It's the same old sad story that has often been told
It's a repetitive and depressing narrative that has been frequently recounted
One drink then another till he's out of control
With each successive drink, he loses his ability to manage his actions
He sits down at a table with his hands on the glass
He takes a seat at a table, placing his hands on the drinking vessel
For him there's no future there's only the past
He believes there is no future ahead, only a past that dominates his thoughts
He reaches for the bottle but his hands don't take hold
He tries to grab the bottle, but his hands fail to grasp it
His eyes just can't focus he's out of control
His eyes lack the ability to focus, indicating he has lost control
Does he search for contentment that he might hope to find
Could he be seeking fulfillment, longing for something he expects to discover?
From a honky tonk woman or the bottles of wine?
Is he seeking satisfaction from the presence of a honky tonk woman or through the consumption of wine?
He shakes and he trembles even though he's not old
He experiences trembling and shaking despite not being advanced in age
Like a leaf in a whirlwind he's out of control
Similar to a leaf caught in a raging whirlwind, he is completely unmanageable
Yes I'm just like that fellow who sits there all alone
Indeed, I resemble that individual who remains isolated
With no one to love me no family at home
Without anyone to offer affection and devoid of a family in my own abode
I'm a picture of others with a future so cold
I resemble a representation of others who face a bleak and unpromising future
A life ain't worth livin' when it's out of control
Life loses its value and significance when it becomes uncontrollable
Lyrics © GLAD MUSIC CO., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DARRELL EDWARDS, GEORGE JONES, HERBY TREECE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommy
on I Ain't Never
He's never seen somthing so butfulie
Bob
on I Ain't Never
Song is good