Sexton's mother was 16 years old when she gave birth to him in San Antonio, Texas. When he was four, he and his mother moved to Austin, where clubs like the Armadillo World Headquarters, the Soap Creek Saloon, and more notably the Split Rail and Antone's Blues Club exposed him to popular music.
After a brief period living outside of Austin with his mother, Sexton moved back to Austin at the age of 12. With the help of Joe Ely and other local musicians such as Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sexton developed his talents as a musician.
Sexton was soon regarded as a musical prodigy, and he toured with a variety of musical acts during his early teens before releasing his debut album, Pictures For Pleasure, in 1985. Recorded when he was 16 years old, it yielded the Top 20 hit single, "Beat's So Lonely."
While still in his late teens, Sexton's skills as a guitar player were in great demand, and he became a popular session player, recording with artists like Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Don Henley, and Bob Dylan. He eventually followed up his debut with the self-titled Charlie Sexton, recorded at the age of twenty.
Sexton later contributed songs to various motion picture soundtracks, including True Romance and Air America while making a cameo fronting a bar band in Thelma & Louise. It was around this time, between 1992 and 1994, that Sexton was a member of Austin's Arc Angels. A blues rock band featuring Texas musicians Doyle Bramhall II, Tommy Shannon and Chris "Whipper" Layton, the group recorded one self-titled album, released in 1992 on Geffen Records, before they disbanded.
Sexton soon formed a new group, the Charlie Sexton Sextet, and released Under The Wishing Tree in 1995 on MCA Records. Though sales were considered disappointing, it was met with critical acclaim.
In the meantime, Sexton continued to perform with other artists, appearing on such notable albums as Lucinda Williams's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and Shawn Colvin's Grammy-winning album A Few Small Repairs.
In 1999, Sexton was hired by Bob Dylan to replace Bucky Baxter. Sexton had previously played with Dylan during a pair of Austin, Texas concerts in 1996, and on some demos recorded in the fall of 1983.
Sexton's residency with Dylan brought him great exposure, with many critics singling out the interplay between him and Larry Campbell, who was also a guitarist in Dylan's backing band. Hailed as one of Dylan's best bands, the group recorded a number of studio recordings, including Things Have Changed (from the 1999 film the Wonder Boys) and 2001's critically acclaimed album, Love and Theft. He also performed and appeared with them in 2003's Masked & Anonymous.
In the meantime, Sexton continued working with other artists, producing Double Trouble's Been a Long Time and Lucinda Williams's Essence, both released in 2001. Since leaving Dylan's band, Sexton has produced numerous other works, including Edie Brickell's Volcano (2003), Jon Dee Graham's Great Battle (2004), Shannon McNally's Geronimo (2005), and Los Super Seven's Heard It on the X (2005). In late 2005, Sexton released his latest album, Cruel and Gentle Things.
Don't look back
Charlie Sexton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've run out of things to say
Everything ends up the same old story
You don't know where love went
But nothing's making sense
You both know you can't fake it anymore
Don't look back he'll see you cryin'
Make believe your heart is made of stone
Don't look back into his eyes
You've already said goodbye
It's over now you've got to let him go
He's the one you love
But sometimes love is not enough
It's too complicated to explain
No you never will forget
But you'll get over it
Someday just sweet memories will remain
So don't look back; don't break your will
Don't look back at him until
You're far enough to let your feelings show
Don't look back into those eyes
You've gone back so many times
It's over now you've got to let him go
There's a time for everything including leavin'
There's a time the heart admits defeat
And starts its grieving
The lyrics of Charlie Sexton's song “Don't Look Back” describe the aftermath of a relationship that has come to an end. The song describes the feeling of being at a loss and not knowing how to fix the problems that have arisen in the relationship. The singer is aware that the love that once existed between them has vanished, and their attempts to fake it are no longer working. The lyrics suggest that walking away is the best option, even though this can be painful.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of not looking back and dwelling on the past. It suggests that the singer needs to move on and start a new chapter in their life. The line “make believe your heart is made of stone” indicates that the singer needs to appear tough and emotionless in front of their former partner to avoid showing any vulnerability. The last verse of the song emphasizes the inevitability of heartbreak and suggests that there is a time for everything in life, including leaving and grieving.
Overall, the lyrics of “Don't Look Back” remind us that sometimes relationships come to an end, and it is necessary to move forward to avoid causing further pain. The song encourages us to be brave and face the future without regretful glances at our past.
Line by Line Meaning
Time to walk away
It's time to end the relationship and move on
You've run out of things to say
There is nothing left to talk about, the relationship has no substance anymore.
Everything ends up the same old story
The relationship has become predictable and unexciting.
You don't know where love went
The love in the relationship has faded away.
But nothing's making sense
The relationship has become confusing and uncertain.
You both know you can't fake it anymore
Both partners understand that their love for each other is not enough to sustain the relationship.
Don't look back he'll see you cryin'
If you look back, he will see your sadness.
Don't look back on love that's dyin'
Do not dwell on love that is dying.
Make believe your heart is made of stone
Pretend that you are emotionally strong enough to let go.
Don't look back into his eyes
Do not look back into his eyes and falter.
You've already said goodbye
You've already ended things, you can't go back now.
It's over now you've got to let him go
It is time to accept the end of the relationship and move on.
He's the one you love
He is the one you have feelings for.
But sometimes love is not enough
The emotions cannot sustain the love.
It's too complicated to explain
Sometimes explaining what went wrong is too difficult.
No you never will forget
You may never forget the relationship.
But you'll get over it
You will get over the relationship.
Someday just sweet memories will remain
You will have fond memories of the good times in the relationship.
So don't look back; don't break your will
Don't look back or weaken your resolve to move on.
Don't look back at him until
Do not look back until you are certain you can handle your emotions.
You're far enough to let your feelings show
You have reached a point where you can be vulnerable.
You've gone back so many times
In the past, you have returned to the relationship numerous, unfruitful times.
There's a time for everything including leaving
There is a time and place for every decision including walking away.
There's a time the heart admits defeat
In some cases, you have to admit defeat to let go of the relationship.
And starts its grieving
The heart begins to grieve after the relationship has ended.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN KELLER, STEVEN KRIKORIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@63rebell
Charlie is and will always be Top Notch in every way as a musician and has always been underrated!
@timmaulden3640
Rocking this during covid-19. This album is exceptional.
@erickgregoryful
completely under rated. 80's man, what a great time to be a teen ager.
@StarreLabell
Yes it was a great era, sure do miss it. The 90's were great, too.
@lunaticfringe8559
It was great being a teenager back then. 👍👍
@weeklyfascination
No internet, MTV was showing music videos, not to mention the awesome guitar and sax solos.
@lunaticfringe8559
30 years and still listening.
@Laurielism
Me too. Love this album.
@ROOKTABULA
You know the sign of a good fucking solo? When you hear it 30 years later and it's IMMEDIATELY in your head as stone cold as if no time at all had passed.
@barbaraschain9260
And Bob Dylan has him 8n his band! Doesn't get much bigger. He's AWESOME..the full package🖐😀🇦🇺🐨