Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.
He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.
His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.
In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.
In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.
He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.
Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).
Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.
Gone Ridin'
Chris Isaak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As long as I keep driving, I know that I won't die
And I'm gone, gone, gone
Gone Ridin'
Well I broke up with my baby, told myself I won't cry
Broke up with my baby, told myself a lie
And I'm gone, gone, gone
Gone Ridin'
Get gone Cal
Well the moon is on the highway, darkness fills the sky
As long as I keep driving, I know that I won't die
And I'm gone, gone, gone
Gone Ridin'
Gone Ridin'
The lyrics of Chris Isaak's song, "Gone Ridin'," suggest a sense of escape, freedom, and a desire to forget one’s problems. The singer of the song seems to be driving away from something that has caused them heartbreak and pain. They have broken up with their baby, but they are doing their best to move on and forget about the hurt. The road seems to be a symbol of hope, a means of starting anew, regardless of where it leads. The moon and darkness in the sky also seem to suggest a sense of ambiguity, as if the singer is unsure of where this road will take them, but they are willing to take the risk.
The repeated refrain of "gone, gone, gone, gone ridin'," is almost like a mantra for the singer, suggesting that they are fully committed to leaving their past behind and moving forward. The line, "told myself I won't cry, told myself a lie," is particularly poignant, implying that the singer is trying to be strong and not let their emotions show, but deep down, they are hurting. Overall, the song evokes a sense of restlessness, uncertainty, and a longing for freedom. Nonetheless, the singer seems to be determined to keep on "riding," regardless of the destination.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the moon is on the highway, darkness fills the sky
Despite the darkness and dangerous driving conditions, the singer keeps going forward.
As long as I keep driving, I know that I won't die
Driving gives the singer a sense of control and safety in the face of the unknown.
And I'm gone, gone, gone
The singer is escaping from his problems and current reality through his journey on the road.
Gone Ridin'
The artist is committed to leaving everything behind and embarking on his journey of self-discovery.
Well I broke up with my baby, told myself I won't cry
The artist is trying to convince himself that he has already moved on from his heartbreak, despite the pain.
Broke up with my baby, told myself a lie
The singer is in denial about the true extent of his emotions and how the breakup has affected him.
Get gone Cal
The singer is urging himself to leave his previous life behind and embrace change.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ISAAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Buba Ganoush
Chris Isaak - Voice of the Century !! 👍😊
Andrew's Funhouse
Love this song. It can never be loud enough. The part at the end at 2:18 when he sees himself on the side of the road reminds me of the classic Twilight Zone episode “The Hitch-Hiker.”
ElseMa
Great like the beat, the groove ♦️👍
TheDrummingKangaroo
Although he died on Christmas Eve day, 2018, I found out just a few hours ago that James Wilsey (whom I always called 'Jimmy') is gone. Now I'm here on YouTube watching Chris Isaak videos & crying. I was lucky enough to have met Chris, Jimmy, Kenney and Rowland prior to one of their gigs at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California, when I was 17 and not many people knew who Chris Isaak was. I also got to hang out with them before & after the concert. They all were very nice & personable guys and I remember them being happy to sit at the bar and talk with people. Chris signed the back of my ticket stub and the others signed a paper menu. I think I was there talking to them for at least 2 hours after the gig ended. I also met Chris' cousin, Aaron, who was one of the roadies. Long storey short, every time I went to see them in concert I got to hang out with them and each time, I had them sign something: a menu card, a magazine cover, a CD, a t-shirt, photos I'd snapped at previous concerts... It kind of became a running joke. Yeah, the drumstick Kenney gave me and the guitar picks Chris and Jimmy gave me have been misplaced over the past 33 years, but I still have all of the autographed items, my photos & my memories.
And my heart, which I had daydreamed about giving to Jimmy one day, is a little bit more broken now, but still full of love for the guy who was my 2nd rock star crush. I will never forget that New Year's Eve concert when I got up on stage and danced with Jimmy ❤; It's one of my favourite memories 🙂.
Satsuki Kiryuin
Every time I read about somebody meeting meeting Chris and his band mates, they all say that he is an extraordinary great person and I fucking love it, specially when artists of his rank are so humble and friendly towards their audience!!!
Michael McLeod
legends. envy you.
Lonnie Pistachio
Ridin' and vibin'... to this song 🖤
ren hoek
What a voice
M H
Decades later, I still think of this song fondly from Morgan Stewart's Coming Home (1987).
Muk Sukhai
He sounds like rockabilly Elvis Presley
Base and drums are wonderfull to listen to. 🎸🥁🎶