May 2010 saw the release of her new album, Lifted of the Ground.
It's the Song
Chely Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Set it up to tear it down
Oh I ain't been home in almost fifty days
Houston, Baton Rouge
Poor girl's gotta pay her dues
And the speeder bus is always driving away
Oh I love what I do
But I wonder what I do it all for
I forget where I am
But I know where I belong
The reason why I'm standing here
[Chorus:]
It's not the miles
It's not the pay
It's not the show
It's not the fame that makes this home
It's the song
Her birthday was in Alabama
Father's day was in Montana
And on Mother's day I was nowhere near the phone
Every hotel bed feels the same
As the last one where I stayed
And it's bending in my sheet
And falling asleep alone
Oh I love what I do
But I wonder what I do it all for
When I sing, they sing along
I forget where I am
But I know where I belong
The reason why I'm standing here
[Chorus:]
Dolly and Loretta
Maybe some Patsy Cline
I'm so lonesome I could cry
But when I sing, they sing along
I forget where I am
But I know where I belong
The reason why I'm standing here
It's not the ride
It's not the name
It's not just staying in the game
It's not the miles
It's not the pay
It's not the show
It's not the fame that makes this home
It's the song
It's the song
In "It's the Song," Chely Wright reflects on the trials and tribulations of life on the road as a touring musician. The song begins with Wright describing the mundane routine of setting up and tearing down shows day after day in different towns across the country. She's been away from home for nearly fifty days, constantly traveling from Houston to Baton Rouge and beyond. Though she loves what she does, she questions why she does it all, feeling the weight of loneliness and disconnection from her loved ones.
However, when she steps on stage to perform, everything falls into place. The audience sings along with her, and she forgets where she is for a moment, transcending physical boundaries and finding a sense of belonging in her music. The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that it's not the material trappings of success that make a home, but the emotional connections forged through music.
Throughout the song, Wright references classic country artists like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Patsy Cline, underscoring the deep-rooted tradition she's a part of as a country musician. Ultimately, "It's the Song" is a heartfelt tribute to the power of music to transport us beyond our individual circumstances and bring us together.
Line by Line Meaning
Different day, different town
Every day is a new place on this never-ending tour
Set it up to tear it down
Prepping for the next show after tearing down from the previous one
Oh I ain't been home in almost fifty days
Constant touring has kept her away from home for almost two months
Houston, Baton Rouge
Cities on the current leg of the tour
Poor girl's gotta pay her dues
Suffering through hardships is a necessary part of success, especially for women in the industry
And the speeder bus is always driving away
On the constant move from city to city, never stopping for long
Oh I love what I do
Playing music is her passion
But I wonder what I do it all for
She questions whether the relentless touring is worth the sacrifice
But when I sing, they sing along
The shared experience of music makes her forget her doubts
I forget where I am
The performance transports her somewhere else
But I know where I belong
Performing gives her a sense of purpose and belonging
The reason why I'm standing here
Music is what drives her to persevere through the challenges of touring
It's not the miles
The distance traveled is not what matters
It's not the pay
The income earned is not what inspires her
It's not the show
The spectacle of performing is not what gives her fulfillment
It's not the fame that makes this home
Fame and recognition are not what make touring feel like home
It's the song
The power of music is what she finds comfort and solace in
Her birthday was in Alabama
Her tour schedule kept her from spending her birthday at home in Alabama
Father's day was in Montana
She was not able to celebrate Father's day with her dad in Montana
And on Mother's day I was nowhere near the phone
She couldn't even call her mom on Mother's day because of her touring schedule
Every hotel bed feels the same
Constant travel makes every hotel room blend together
As the last one where I stayed
All the hotel rooms start to feel interchangeable
And it's bending in my sheet
Her time in every bed is marked by the same crease in the sheets
And falling asleep alone
The isolation of touring affects her ability to connect with others
Dolly and Loretta
Two influential female country artists
Maybe some Patsy Cline
Another legendary female country artist
I'm so lonesome I could cry
A reference to the Hank Williams song of the same name
It's not the ride
The transportation between destinations is not the important part
It's not the name
Her personal brand or identity is not what matters most
It's not just staying in the game
Simply continuing to work and tour is not what gives her purpose
It's not the miles
The distance traveled is not what matters
It's not the pay
The income earned is not what inspires her
It's not the show
The spectacle of performing is not what gives her fulfillment
It's not the fame that makes this home
Fame and recognition are not what make touring feel like home
It's the song
The power of music is what she finds comfort and solace in
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KATRINA RUTH ELAM, BONNIE J. BAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Courts
I was serving in the US army from 01-05, stationed in South Korea in the dead of winter, -15 outside. This woman, Chely Wright was on a USO tour. She spent 9 hours outside signing autographs and giving every single soldier a hug. A truly beautiful woman inside and out
muddy dog
That's a lovely story Richard, she's a beautiful person.
ArmyProperty
Yup, was there for that too!! Definitely the real deal
Lourdes B
Just watched the documentary "Wish Me Away"....I've never been a big CW person...but Chely has a new fan now...not only because she is an amazing singer and songwriter but also because of her courage and strength and the goodness in her heart that is so obvious in the film. Congratulations Chely ...so happy you are living an authentic life. God bless you.
William Rolls
Hello, how are you doing?
Pluff Mudd
Nashville and the whole country music industry is so blind and stupid to have turned away from this amazing woman.
BlackBerry
true
FromJennifersCloset
An awesome song... describes an incredible feeling .. it was real, magic, calm, savage,
Did all the things love does.... Yes... describes it well.
Denis Haley
It's about the music. She does country the way it is supposed to be done. Now she is doing the American music, she has a terrific voice and has always shown great passion in her work.
William Rolls
Hello friend, how're you doing today?