Singer-songwriter Dan Hicks is tr… Read Full Bio ↴Also See dan hicks & his hot licks
Singer-songwriter Dan Hicks is truly an American original. Since the early 1960s, Hicks has deftly blended elements of Swing, Jazz, Folk and Country music to create the appealing sound he sometimes calls "Folk Jazz".
The lyrics of his songs range from the simply sublime to the sublimely ridiculous, all presented with his uniquely skewed and inscrutable touch.
Dan's irresistible sense of rhythm, hip lyrical styling, laid-back vocalizing, and infamous on-stage wit will make most who listen fans for life. He's a snappy dresser, too.
Dan Hicks was born December 9, 1941 in Little Rock, Arkansas, the son of a career military man. The family moved to California when Dan was about five, eventually settling in what was then the small city of Santa Rosa, some 50 miles north of San Francisco.
Musically, Dan started out as a drummer, beginning while still in grade school. He played the snare drum in his school marching band, and by the age of 14 was playing gigs with area dance bands.
In High School, Dan developed an interest in broadcasting, and had a rotating spot on a daily 15-minute local radio program called "Time Out for Teens". He entered San Francisco State College in 1959, eventually earning a degree in Broadcasting. He took up the guitar around '59, and became part of the San Francisco folk music scene, playing and singing in local coffeehouses.
In the spring of 1965, Dan became the drummer for a nascent San Francisco folk-rock group called The Charlatans, who at that time were more of a concept than an actual working band. They did, however, find employment that summer as the house band at the newly-opened Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada. The popular hallucinogen-fueled dances held at the Red Dog were the direct inspiration for the legendary psychedelic San Francisco dancehall scene that blossomed shortly thereafter.
In addition to drumming, Dan also played guitar and sang with The Charlatans, performing some of his original songs. The Charlatans played for several years at all the noted San Francisco halls, but never achieved the commercial success enjoyed by other groups that came on the scene after them, such as Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead and Quicksilver Messenger Service. As Dan explains it, "The Charlatans were kind of dysfunctional anyway. There was no real management, and it was just kind of some loose guys".
Dan had other ideas about the kind of music he wanted to make, and began putting together an acoustic combo which included two female backup singers, who were dubbed "Lickettes". Billed as Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks, the group began as an opening act for The Charlatans. However, Dan soon left the Charlatans and focused his energy on the Hot Licks.
Their efforts resulted in a recording contract with Epic Records. "Original Recordings" was released in 1969, but Epic's promotion of the album and the group was lackluster, and it was not a commercial success.
After some personnel changes, and a deal with Blue Thumb Records, what had then become the "classic" Hot Licks ensemble went on to produce the critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums "Where's The Money?", "Striking It Rich" and "Last Train To Hicksville". But, owing to pressures both internal and external, Dan broke up the Hot Licks in 1973, at the height of the band's popularity.
Dan then began a low-key solo career of acoustic performances. He wrote music for commercials, television, and movies-- including the music for a never-released Ralph Bakshi animated film. That music was eventually packaged and released in 1978 by Warner Bros. Records as "It Happened One Bite", with cover artwork by Dan.
In the 1980s, he formed The Acoustic Warriors, a male combo with whom he toured. In 1994, they recorded the superb (and now out-of-print) live CD "Shootin' Straight", for the Private Music label.
Dan signed with Surfdog Records in 1998. "Beatin' The Heat", Dan's first studio opus since 1978, was released in August of 2000. It featured a return to the Hot Licks name and format - complete with new Lickettes. It garnered rave reviews, and was chosen by Time.Com as one of the Top Ten CDs of 2000. A live CD ("Alive & Lickin'") soon followed.
In September of 2003, Surfdog released a DVD/CD package featuring much of Dan's 60th Birthday Bash concert, as well as interviews with musicians of note speaking about Dan's influence.
2004 saw the release of "Selected Shorts", a dynamic and critically acclaimed studio CD, featuring contributions from such stars as Jimmy Buffett, Jim Keltner, Gibby Haynes, Van Dyke Parks and Willie Nelson.
"Tangled Tales", also on the Surfdog label, was released in 2009 to glowing reviews.
2010 saw the long-anticipated release of a Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks Christmas CD, and it was all Hicks fans had hoped for - and more! "Crazy For Christmas" was lauded by NPR's Fresh Air, the NY and LA Times, and The Washington Post. Called one of the Best of 2010 by the Village Voice, "Crazy For Christmas" also landed on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart.
Today, Dan tours worldwide with an updated version of the Hot Licks, and occasionally gigs at various jazz venues in the San Francisco Bay Area, as a vocalist with his swingin' combo Bayside Jazz.
Not only does Dan Hicks continue to delight his long-time fans, he has earned the attention of a whole new generation of music lovers.
Success
Dan Hicks And The Hot Licks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm going to the top so buddy don't get in my way
But then again
Will this take me further
Or leave me far behind
Success keeps playin' with my mind
Oh, those pretty boys they always bring good news
As they stand in line I've nothin' but to choose
Success (success) keeps playin' with my mind
Oh, oh, oh, tell me (tell me) tell me (tell me) won't somebody tell me (tell me) oh, tell me (tell me)
Is this the life to lead though I'm feeling so fine
Where am I goin to be when I turn thirty-nine, now?
Tell me (tell me) tell me (tell me) won't somebody please tell me (tell me)
Must I keep on climbin' and never stop
What happens to that girl when she reaches the top?
Now it's closin' time, they've all walked out the door
You know the letterin' on the billboard changes, guess I ain't playing here no more
No, no more
Will they remember me or leave me far behind?
Success keeps playin with my mind
Woah-woah-woah, ooh
Now it's closin' time, they've all walked out the door
You know the letterin' on the billboard changes, guess I ain't playing here no more
No, no more
Will they remember me or leave me far behind?
Success keeps playin with my mind
Oh, oh, oh, success keeps playin with my mind
Oh, you know that it keeps playin' in my
It keeps stayin' in my
Success keeps playin' with my mind
Keep on, keep on climbin', keep on climbin' and never stop
Keep on climbin' and never stop, I'm gonna
Keep on climbin' and never stop, I'm gonna
Keep on climbin' and never stop, oh
Keep on climbin' and never stop, I'm gonna
Keep on climbin' and never stop
Keep on climbin' and never stop
The song "Success" by Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks is a reflection on the desire for success and the fear of what it may bring. The singer acknowledges that the "road to success is just an ol' cliché", but still wants to reach the top, no matter what. However, they wonder if this pursuit will ultimately harm or help their future. They are tempted by those who bring good news and flaunt their success, but don't know if they should follow their lead. They ask themselves if this is the life they want to lead, and where they will be when they turn thirty-nine. At closing time, the realization hits that their time at this place is up, and they wonder if they will be remembered, or forgotten in the pursuit of success.
This song reflects the eternal longing for success, and the vulnerable position one finds themselves in while pursuing it. It's easy to lose track of who you are while striving for success, and while it may bring wealth and recognition, it also brings the fear of losing oneself. The singer wonders if success is worth the sacrifice, and if it will lead to happiness or regret. It's a compelling and relevant message for anyone who has ever dreamed of achieving great things.
Line by Line Meaning
The road to success is just an ol' cliché
Success is a common idea that everyone strives for.
But I'm going to the top so buddy don't get in my way
I am determined to reach the top and won't let anyone impede my success.
But then again
But at the same time
Will this take me further
Will this help me achieve more success?
Or leave me far behind
Or will it cause me to fall behind?
Success keeps playin' with my mind
The idea of success is constantly on my mind and is causing me anxiety.
Oh, those pretty boys they always bring good news
Those who are good-looking often bring hopeful messages of success.
As they stand in line I've nothin' but to choose
I have to decide who to listen to and follow in order to achieve success.
Will I take me one or maybe four or five
Will I choose to follow one or multiple people who promise success?
Oh, oh, oh, tell me (tell me) tell me (tell me) won't somebody tell me (tell me) oh, tell me (tell me)
I am desperate for someone to give me guidance on how to achieve success.
Is this the life to lead though I'm feeling so fine
Even though I feel good about myself, I wonder if this is the right path to take in order to achieve success.
Where am I goin to be when I turn thirty-nine, now?
I am worried about my future and where I will be in life when I reach a certain age.
Tell me (tell me) tell me (tell me) won't somebody please tell me (tell me)
I am still seeking advice and guidance on how to achieve success.
Must I keep on climbin' and never stop
Do I have to constantly work hard and push myself to reach success?
What happens to that girl when she reaches the top?
I am curious about what will happen to me when I finally achieve success.
Now it's closin' time, they've all walked out the door
The day is ending and people are leaving, indicating that the opportunity for success may be passing me by.
You know the letterin' on the billboard changes, guess I ain't playing here no more
The billboards of success are changing, meaning that I may not have the same opportunities as I did before.
No, no more
I am no longer able to pursue success in the same way.
Will they remember me or leave me far behind?
I am worried about how my success (or lack thereof) will affect my legacy.
Woah-woah-woah, ooh
(chorus)
Keep on, keep on climbin', keep on climbin' and never stop
I must continue to work hard and push myself in order to achieve success.
Keep on climbin' and never stop, I'm gonna
I will continue to strive for success and won't give up.
Keep on climbin' and never stop, oh
I will keep pushing myself to achieve success no matter what obstacles come my way.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN MULLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind