After beginning writing songs at age 14, Tashian's music career began when he was 19 and signed his first deal on Elektra Records. His first album was produced by T Bone Burnett, and he also started a band called The Silver Seas (originally called The Bees) in 1999.
In 2018, he co-produced Kacey Musgraves' critically acclaimed album Golden Hour in addition to co-writing 7 of the album's 13 songs. Other notable songwriting credits include his first number one song, "Hometown Girl" by Josh Turner, "White Horse" by Tenille Townes, "Good Night" by Billy Currington, and "The Bees" by Lee Ann Womack.
In 2019 Tashian released I Love Rainy Days, a children's album for which he wrote and produced all the music and painted all associated artwork, following in 2020 with Mr. Moonlight, another children's album.
In July 2020, Tashian collaborated with Burt Bacharach on the EP Blue Umbrella.
High time
Daniel Tashian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blowing around like paper in the wind
Pretty girl not much for conversation
Quiet, tired and braced down in indiana?
Moonlight road
Last flight down to memphis
Hundred miles in the mississippi night
And she see's those landing lights coming into sight
Hundred miles in the mississippi night
Sometimes she gets the loneliest condition
And she see's those landing lights coming into sight
High time i take you home
Long time that i be gone
And i'm gonna rock you in my arms tonight
And if the mockingbird don't sing
Gonna find a diamond ring
And someday i'll take you for my bride
Back in school she was quite successful
Those midwest boys are making eyes at them
She turned on the charm
It was over
It fell like dominoes into her hand?
And it's high time i take you home
Long time that i be gone
And gonna rock you in my arms tonight
And if your mockingbird won't sing
Gonna find a diamond ring
Someday i'll take you for my bride
And the moonlight lights up the runway
Down in pittsburgh
Snow is falling on the freeway
Motel shuttle running
And shes listening to the beach boys
Airport lounge
She lost in contemplation
Of how many nights have ended up the same
He walks in but doesn't make the connection
He's flying out on that detroit leg again
And its high time i take you home
Long time that i be gone
And gonna rock you in my arms tonight
And if your mockingbird won't sing
Gonna find a diamond ring
And someday i'll take you for my bride
The lyrics to Daniel Tashian's song High Time paint a picture of two individuals who are struggling with different issues in their lives. The first verse refers to a restless boy who is a walking contradiction and a pretty girl who is not much for conversation but is quiet, tired and braced down in Indiana. This verse presents two people who seem lost and uncertain about their lives, direction, and the stage that they are in. The mention of the moonlight and last flight down to Memphis sets the scene for a story that may have a romantic angle.
The second verse highlights the girl's experience, and she appears to be quite lonely, seeing those landing lights coming into sight. This suggests a longing for connection and companionship, which is where the chorus comes in. It is high time for the singer to take this person home, rock her in his arms tonight, and eventually take her for his bride. It appears as though the singer wants to be the one to offer comfort, companionship, and love to this girl in need.
The mention of the airport lounge and a potential connection that does not happen highlights the longing for connection but possibly missing opportunities. Overall, the song conveys a message of how two people struggling with different issues can eventually find each other and offer the much-needed emotional support that they seek.
Line by Line Meaning
Restless boy walking contradiction
The boy is full of energy and constantly moving, but also has conflicting thoughts and behaviors.
Blowing around like paper in the wind
His restlessness and confusion causes him to constantly change direction, like a piece of paper in the wind.
Pretty girl not much for conversation
The girl is attractive but not very talkative.
Quiet, tired and braced down in indiana?
She is reserved and seems worn out or burdened with something, while in Indiana.
Moonlight road
The road is illuminated by the moonlight.
Last flight down to memphis
The final flight of the night to Memphis.
Hundred miles in the mississippi night
Traveling along the Mississippi River at night for a hundred miles.
Sometimes she gets the loneliest condition
She becomes very lonely at times.
And she see's those landing lights coming into sight
She feels comfort when she sees the lights of the airport landing strip.
High time i take you home
It is past due for him to take her home.
Long time that i be gone
He has been away for a long time.
And i'm gonna rock you in my arms tonight
He plans to hold her tightly when they reunite.
And if the mockingbird don't sing
He will buy her a diamond ring if everything goes well.
Gonna find a diamond ring
He will search for a diamond ring to give to her.
And someday i'll take you for my bride
He plans to marry her someday.
Back in school she was quite successful
She was very successful during her school years.
Those midwest boys are making eyes at them
Boys from the Midwest are showing interest in them.
She turned on the charm
She used her charms to attract them.
It was over
The flirting ended.
It fell like dominoes into her hand?
The attention and attraction from the boys was easy for her to obtain and control.
And the moonlight lights up the runway
The runway is illuminated by the moonlight.
Down in pittsburgh
They are in Pittsburgh.
Snow is falling on the freeway
It is snowing on the freeway.
Motel shuttle running
The shuttle bus for the motel is operating.
And shes listening to the beach boys
She is listening to the music of The Beach Boys.
Airport lounge
They are in an airport lounge.
She lost in contemplation
She is lost in deep thought.
Of how many nights have ended up the same
She is reflecting on how many times her nights have ended in a similar way.
He walks in but doesn't make the connection
He enters the lounge, but does not recognize her.
He's flying out on that detroit leg again
He is taking a flight to Detroit again.
Writer(s): Daniel Keyes Tashian
Contributed by Carter M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@StabilityMan
Thanks for posting this. I first heard this song on the 'Hart Of Dixie' TV series. I have loved it every since then. I never get tired of it. I'm surprised it's not more popular.
@tommyomiller
I was on my way to Nashville, a trip I often took... and I heard this on XM radio... I couldn't believe it... I loved it right away.. and heard that Daniel wrote and recorded it... I thought."Fantastic"... He's going to make it....
@oderfke43342djs
So had I, and I'm so glad you took it upon yourself to post this song. Thanks a lot, and if you have any more of this album, I would be forever grateful if you put up a couple more songs. Cheers!