He has topped the charts with singles including "I Miss My Friend," "Awful, Beautiful Life" and "Have You Forgotten?" which accomplished the feat for one, two and an incredible seven weeks respectively. He hit the Top 20 with the first three singles from his impressive major-label debut, Hard Rain Don't Last - "When You Need My Love," "A Good Day to Run" and "Second Wind" and followed with smashes like "If Something Should Happen," "I Just Came Back From A War" and the iconic "Tennessee River Run."
Along the way, he has sold nearly two million albums, earned nominations for five major ACM and CMA awards, including "Song of the Year" and "Single of the Year," and has written songs for other major artists, including George Jones.
Now, with the release of his sixth album, Sounds Like Life, Worley reasserts himself as one of countryβs true creative forces. Sounds like Life showcases Worley as a songwriter of depth and passion and a singer whose versatility and believability have grown stronger through the years. The project is a microcosm of his life and career, with the sometimes rocky, sometimes triumphant road heβs traveled infusing every track, and it bears both the sense of detail and the universality weβve come to expect from the 6β6β hit-maker.
The album is at once a reinvention and a return to the people and approach that marked Worley's dramatic entry into the national spotlight a decade ago. Sounds Like Life is a master storytellerβs take on modern life, a project that runs the gamut from show business itself ("Honkytonk Life") to hard-won wisdom ("You Never Know," "Nothing But Money"). It is a journey through love ("Best Of Both Worlds," "Everyday Love," "Tequila On Ice") and loss ("Slow Dancinβ With A Memory"), and from sensuality ("Messed Up In Memphis") to philosophy ("Doinβ Whatβs Right").
Worley jumped quickly back into the Top 20 with the single "Sounds Like Life To Me," a song as accessible as it is profound. Another of the albumβs real high points is "Don't Show Up (If You Can't Get Down)," a groove song that attracted an all-star cast of participants including Jamey Johnson, Bill Anderson, Mel Tillis, John Anderson, Steve Harwell of Smashmouth, John Cowan of the New Grass Revival and Ira Dean.
The album is at once a reinvention and a return to the people and approach that marked Worleyβs dramatic entry into the national spotlight a decade ago.
"I consciously made a decision I wanted this record to have the same kind of substance as my very first record," he says. "That album was pretty straightforward country and it had some really great songwritersβ songs on there well crafted, clever, but with substance. I also wanted something uplifting and fun, something that sounded different and had great grooves."
Having left behind two record deals after a corporate restructuring and a label demise, he was free to, as he says, "wipe the slate completely clean." He told his new management team he wanted to use his own money to record a project with his road band and with two long-time friends Jim "Moose" Brown and Kevin "Swine" Grantt producing.
"The guys play these songs every night," he says, "so it only made sense to go in the studio and cut the record just like we play on stage. And it worked. This is a group of people who have hung together for 15 years and there are no duds in there. Theyβre all very real people with one thing in mind make the best possible music, whether itβs songwriting, producing, or recording as an artist. I felt like weβd capture some cool stuff and thatβs what happened. It meant a lot to us as friends to be able to do this, too."
Outside the industryβs parameters or politics, he and that close cohort of musicians put together an album that reflects everything Worley does well.
"We didnβt set out to make the record that would define me as an artist," he adds. "I said, βLetβs just be more concerned about the music. We don't have anybody breathing down our neck. Letβs go in there and do what we always said we wanted do and just have fun, get all the guys together and when the momentβs right, letβs cut one and keep it.β"
Photo of Darryl Worley Once the album was cut, Worley began meeting with labels and was about to sign a deal when James Stroud, who had signed him to his first deal a decade earlier, called and said he was launching a new label, Stroudavarious Records, with businessman/entrepreneur Ronnie Gilley.
"Ronnie and James and I had been doing business together for eight or nine years," says Worley. "James taught me a lot of what I know about the music business. He and I had a lot of success together and a lot of fun together, and we had gotten to know each other inside and out.
"I wanted a real partnership," he says. "Thatβs what weβve got, and thatβs why itβs working."
Sounds Like Life launches the latest chapter in one of modern country musicβs most amazing odysseys. It began in Hardin County, Tennessee, part of a three-state region where the elements of life included hard work, economic hardship, deep religious conviction and bootleg liquor. It paid to be tough and smart, and Worley was both.
He was also musical his grandfather played old country and bluegrass on the banjo and his mother sang in church. Worley was drawn in both directions, balancing the hellion and the seeker as he grew up. Tall and athletic, Worley might have earned an athletic scholarship to college, but he broke his back playing basketball and lost that opportunity. Still, he earned a degree in biology with a minor in organic chemistry, playing music in honky-tonks and raising hell all the while.
He continued playing as he worked in the chemical business and taught school for a year, torn between the pressure he felt to establish a secure career and his deep-seated need to pursue music. Finally, his preacher father helped him sort it out.
"One day he said, βIf youβre still thinking about that music thing you better do it nowβ," says Worley, "βbecause if you donβt, youβll be trapped by the obligation of the debt and the responsibilities that come with life.β That was all I needed to hear."
A gifted and hard-working songwriter, he signed a deal with Fame Publishing in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to write songs for $150 a week. Years of playing bars and hard living made their way into his music, and artists like George Jones cut his early work. He was signed to Nashvilleβs EMI Publishing and in 1994 he made his way to Nashville. After half a decade of sometimes frustrating development deals, in 1999 he earned the label deal that moved his career into high gear.
Worley has not wavered in his support for those who put their lives on the line for democracy It is telling that Worley was quick to turn his celebrity to good purpose. In 2002, he traveled to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Uzbekistan to entertain troops, and the experience was transforming. He wrote "Have You Forgotten?" and began a series of visits here and overseas, including to Iraq, to support those who wear their countryβs uniform.
He calls those trips "the best work Iβve done since Iβve been in this business. Iβve never done it for accolades or for publicity. I do it because I want to do it."
Still, accolades have come. He has received the VFWβs Americanism Award and the USOβs Merit Award, and the Tennessee House of Representatives cited him for his contributions to country music.
His experiences overseas helped spur him to launch major charitable efforts back home.
"Coming off some of those trips really made me want to dig in and do more for my home area Savannah, Hardin County, that whole Tri-state area," he says. "My parents said, βYou need to remember where you come from,β and the Darryl Worley Foundation became the way to do that."
What began as a way to provide assistance to people who might not be able to afford insurance who faced catastrophic losses has expanded over time. His Tennessee River Run, a weeklong festival capped by several major concerts, has raised money for all kinds of projects, including medical facilities.
"Iβve seen friends and family affected by cancer, and at one point I said, βCan we do something here in the county to help some of them?β We built this small outpatient chemotherapy wing on the Hardin County Medical Center and we were immediately overwhelmed by the people who just poured in there. They were literally in the hallways getting chemotherapy. Now weβre in the process of planning a cancer treatment center."
Photo of Darryl Worley on a motorcycle For a man whose career single-mindedness and whose wild and restless streak once wrought havoc in his personal life, he has found more peace than ever since his marriage to his wife Kimberly and the birth of his daughter Savannah.
"My wife and my child have put everything in perspective," he says. "I didnβt think it would ever happen to me. For once in my life I feel like I've got my priorities in order."
That sense of perspective has only strengthened his music. His happiness has found its way onto Sounds Like Life, an album whose title is a summation of the reason for his popularity.
"The songs Iβd had really big success with are songs that are just a big chunk of reality or a day in the life of somebody," he says. "That's what people expect from Darryl Worley. βHave You Forgotten?β βAwful, Beautiful Life,β βIf Something Should Happenβ those songs are something somebody went through. Itβs real. Itβs not contrived, not made up, and thereβs a difference. You hear songs every day where you say, βI love that, but it's a little bit out there. Itβs probably not a real thing.β But this album is about reality. Thereβs some stuff about the family. Thereβs some stuff about the new baby. Itβs got both really cool grooves and real life."
Such songs have made Darryl Worley a vital part of the fabric of the modern musical landscape for a decade, and Sounds Like Life is convincing proof he will carry that position forward.
When You Need My Love
Darryl Worley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somehow I knew who it was
?Cause baby, it's always the same old thing
When you need my love
You say it's over, it just ain't gonna work
This time you've had enough
Boy, I know you've been fighting with her
Oh, I wish I could just say no
And get you out of my heart
It must be nice to have some place to go
When your world falls apart
She'll call tomorrow with the same ole line
And you'll forget about us
I'll be lonely until the next time
When you need my love
Oh, I wish I could just say no
And get you out of my heart
It must be nice to have some place to go
When your world falls apart
Someday, someone's gonna love me true
And baby when he does
Then I wonder what you're gonna do
When you need my love
Someday, someone's gonna love me true
And baby when he does
Then I wonder what you're gonna do
When you need my love
The song "When You Need My Love" by Darryl Worley portrays the frustration and sadness of being the second choice in a relationship. The lyrics express the familiar scenario of receiving a call in the middle of the night from a former lover who has exhausted all other options and now seeks comfort from the singer. The singer is all too familiar with this situation and expresses a desire to move on, but is unable to resist the temptation of their former love's advances. The song depicts the singer as a victim of their own heart, as they long for the day when they will find true love and no longer be at the mercy of someone who only comes calling when they have nowhere else to turn.
The lyrics of "When You Need My Love" convey a sense of emotional exhaustion and longing for something more. The singer is constantly being pulled back into a relationship that they know is not healthy and has no future. The repeated refrain of "when you need my love" underscores the idea that the love in this relationship is conditional and based solely on the needs of the other person. The singer's desire to move on and find true love is juxtaposed with the bittersweet recognition that they will always be there for the other person when they need them.
Overall, "When You Need My Love" is a poignant and relatable song about the emotional toll of being the second choice in a relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of weariness and emotional exhaustion, as well as a longing for something more fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
Two in the morning, telephone rings
The singer receives a phone call from someone they know at an unexpected hour
Somehow I knew who it was
The singer has a good sense of who is calling them
?Cause baby, it's always the same old thing
The caller is likely seeking the singer's comfort in a familiar situation
When you need my love
The artist is only reached out to by this person when they need love and support
You say it's over, it just ain't gonna work
The caller is experiencing romantic troubles and believes their current relationship is coming to an end
This time you've had enough
The caller has had enough of the problems they're facing with their current relationship
Boy, I know you've been fighting with her
The person on the phone has likely gotten into an argument or fight with their partner
When you need my love
The caller is reaching out to the artist for support and love during this tough time
Oh, I wish I could just say no
The artist sometimes wishes they could refuse to help or provide love, but they can't help their feelings for this person
And get you out of my heart
The artist has feelings for this person which they can't easily get rid of, even when they disappoint them
It must be nice to have some place to go
The singer is envious that the caller has someone else to turn to, while they have nobody else to rely on
When your world falls apart
The caller is reaching out to the artist when they feel like everything in their life is falling apart
She'll call tomorrow with the same ole line
The caller's partner is likely to repeat the same situation or argument in the future, making the singer feel helpless
And you'll forget about us
The caller may forget about their conversations or interactions with the singer once their romantic situation blows over
I'll be lonely until the next time
The singer is aware that their relationship with the caller is conditional on the caller's needs, and they will be alone until the next crisis arises
When you need my love
The artist will only hear from the caller during their times of emotional need
Someday, someone's gonna love me true
The artist is hopeful that they will find someone who will love them unconditionally
And baby when he does
The singer is anticipating a future romantic partner and the happiness they will bring
Then I wonder what you're gonna do
The singer is curious about what the caller will do when they no longer need to depend on them for love and support
When you need my love
The artist knows that the caller will continue to reach out to them during their times of need until they find someone else to turn to for support and love
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WYNN VARBLE, DARRYL WORLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nice Raptor
Two in the morning, telephone rings
Somehow I knew who it was
?Cause baby, it's always the same old thing
When you need my love
You say it's over, it just ain't gonna work
This time you've had enough
Boy, I know you've been fighting with her
When you need my love
Oh, I wish I could just say no
And get you out of my heart
It must be nice to have some place to go
When your world falls apart
She'll call tomorrow with the same ole line
And you'll forget about us
I'll be lonely until the next time
When you need my love
Oh, I wish I could just say no
And get you out of my heart
It must be nice to have some place to go
When your world falls apart
Someday, someone's gonna love me true
And baby when he does
Then I wonder what you're gonna do
When you need my love
Someday, someone's gonna love me true
And baby when he does
Then I wonder what you're gonna do
When you need my love
Zubair Siddiqui
Why this brilliant singer is so underrated I don't understand. Deserves much more than what he's got....
Love your music my brother Darryl Worley ππππΈπΈπΈ
Josh Doherty
Zubair Siddiqui yeah he is really underrated
Ken Giles
I was so upset that you were only given a 20 minute set at the Gulf Coast Jam in 2017. I love your music πΌ
77Wolf
"When you need my love". We've all had that one girl before. For me her name was Katie. It took me over 20 years to get over her and in some ways, i dont ever know if i will be 100% over her. Love is such a powerful emotion and the hurt that comes from it is equally strong.
Nattydread
Love Daryl, love this era of Country
Ronnie Westmoreland
To this day, this song is still one of my favorites. Heβs one of the few unique sounding artists of the early 2000s. Definitely an underrated singer.
Tom Truitt
I love Darryl Worley's music. I am a veteran and appreciate that you honor those serving. I have a daughter named Savanna too, she is the same age. God Bless you Darryl.
Mike C
The steel in the bridge is fantastic. Great vocals on this whole song. Very underrated song (and artist).
Curtis Witty
Possibly the best country song ever written. Awesome
JOE OHHBOY
GOD how I love this song !! Incredible lyrics and melody. It fits so many people's experience ,including mine.