Between 1994 and 2004, Murphy charted a total of thirteen singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, one of which (1995's "Dust on the Bottle") reached Number One. In addition, he has co-written singles for other country artists, including "Living in Fast Forward", a Number One single for Kenny Chesney in 2006.
Can't Turn It Off
David Lee Murphy Lyrics
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On a lonesome highway it was gettin' late
Not another set of headlights on the interstate
I was miles from nowhere my only friend around
Was a country station fadin' in and out
And the road went on and on
I can live with the static Lord but
I can't turn it off
It might not be clear and strong
And sometimes it's here and gone
Long as it keeps comin' back
I can't turn it off
I was feelin' kinda desperate as the sun came up
They played "Hello Darlin'" and it was breakin' up
The signal on that lighted dial was barely comin' through
And I knew in a few more miles it'd be gone for good
And the road went on and on
But it just kept hangin' on
I can live with the static Lord but
I can't turn it off
It might not be clear and strong
And sometimes it's here and gone
Long as it keeps comin' back
I can't turn it off
Be a long ol lonely ride without it
When I can't hear enough
Oh I just turn it up
And the road went on and on
But it just kept hangin' on
I can live with the static Lord but
I can't turn it off
It might not be clear and strong
And sometimes it's here and gone
Long as it keeps comin' back
I can't turn it off
The lyrics of David Lee Murphy's "Can't Turn It Off" describe the singer's relationship with country music, and how important it is to him during a lonesome highway drive. The song tells a story of a long, lonely drive with the singer's only entertainment being a country radio station, whose signal is weak and intermittent. Even though the signal is fading in and out, the singer cannot bear to turn it off. The station's fleeting presence is better than nothing, and it keeps him company on the long and winding road.
The hook of the song, "I can live with the static Lord but I can't turn it off," is a metaphor for how the singer is willing to accept the imperfections of the radio station just to have something to listen to. The song expresses an emotional attachment to country music – it's not just about the music, but the memories and feelings along with it. The song tells listeners that no matter how difficult life can become, the music they love can help jorney on.
Line by Line Meaning
On a lonesome highway it was gettin' late
The singer is travelling on a dark and empty road, and it is late.
Not another set of headlights on the interstate
There are no other cars are visible on the road.
I was miles from nowhere my only friend around
The singer is alone in a remote and empty place.
Was a country station fadin' in and out
The only thing the artist can listen to is a country music station that has poor reception.
And the road went on and on
The journey is long and continuous.
But it just kept hangin' on
The singer is still driving on the same monotonous road.
I can live with the static Lord but
The singer can tolerate the poor sound quality of the radio station.
I can't turn it off
The artist cannot change the station or turn off the radio.
It might not be clear and strong
The radio station's signal is weak and difficult to hear.
And sometimes it's here and gone
The radio station's signal is inconsistent.
Long as it keeps comin' back
As long as the radio signal returns, the singer will listen to it.
I was feelin' kinda desperate as the sun came up
The artist is approaching a new day and feels lonely and worried.
They played "Hello Darlin'" and it was breakin' up
The radio station plays a song that is important to the singer, but it is fading in and out.
The signal on that lighted dial was barely comin' through
The radio signal is weak and difficult to hear.
And I knew in a few more miles it'd be gone for good
The singer knows that they will soon lose the radio signal completely.
Be a long ol lonely ride without it
If the artist cannot listen to the radio, the journey will be lonely.
When I can't hear enough
The artist wants to hear more music and sound.
Oh I just turn it up
The singer turns up the volume of the radio to try to hear more.
Lyrics © CAROL VINCENT & ASSOC LLC
Written by: DAVID LEE MURPHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind