Born in Evanston, Illinois and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, David heard music, melodies and stories in his head as a child. Like most kids he played the usual childhood games and got into the usual childhood trouble, but the music in his mind always called him. As an adolescent he began teaching himself various instruments. After experimenting with drums, piano and other instruments and demonstrating an ability to learn them in a short period of time, David became focused on the guitar which continues to be his primary instrument although he often plays other instruments on his recordings.
Drawn to the blues after hearing songs by Son House, Robert Johnson and others and growing up at a time when Parliament/Funkadelic, Stevie Wonder, Prince and other musicians were stretching the boundaries of popular music David understood that music could not and should not be limited by our often narrow views of what it should be. He started researching other musical innovators and seriously studied Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and others. He also began reading philosophy, sacred texts and art and music theory. Through his teen years he shaped himself into the artist as intellectual, the musician as muse for society. As he transitioned into a young man, another innovation was taking place, the emergence of Hip Hop.
Like many young people of his generation, David was drawn to Hip Hop music, but in an unusual way. He immediately wanted to combine elements of Hip Hop with Soul, Jazz, Blues and Rock. The result was Follow for Now the ground-breaking band he founded with a group of friends in Atlanta. The sound combined all the influences that had been shaping David's musical vision. As the main songwriter, lead guitarist and lead vocalist the band gave David a vehicle to showcase his talent and unique perspective. While the band had a short life, it didn't take long for others to notice his talent and he has been tapped to write, play or produce for numerous artists from Dave Matthews to jazz singer Cassandra Wilson, from Widespread Panic to Santana, from Dionne Farris to John Mayer.
But now it is quiet. After traveling the world for several years and performing as a member of several bands, David retreated to his hometown Atlanta to write the songs that will become classics. They are love songs in the purest way because they are songs about love between two people and between all people. They are songs about life and death and most of all truth. They are songs that David has written for himself and for others and they are played and performed as a man on a quest would present them.
While David Ryan Harris is widely known amongst musicians and others in the music industry and he has a devoted and growing fan base amongst those who have heard him, this is just the beginning. Like a secret that can no longer be contained, the voice, the songs, the truth that David Ryan Harris presents is pushing its way into the lives of more and more people. Word is passing from mouth to mouth. His shows are becoming conversations for weeks after a performance. The proof of his quest is his music and it is here now for us to experience.
Don't Look Down
David Ryan Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My words might never explain
So I am hoping that time will
Things may not go as you planned
Dark clouds might bring you pain
But I will be in your heart still, telling you
“Don’t look down, don’t feast your eyes on things that are on the ground
When you’re traveling almost at the speed of sound
Feeling nowhere bound, remember what I told you
And don’t you dare look down
Don’t look down, no
No father wants his son
To repeat the wrongs his daddy’s done
I want you to get it right child
I won’t always be here for you
So to yourself always be true
And if you get lost, use your inner light child, shine it and
Don’t look down
Don’t feast your eyes on things that are on the ground
And if it gets hard to focus
When you’re traveling almost at the speed of sound
Feeling nowhere bound
Almost out of control, burn rubber and not your soul
Because something lives within
That you can count on, there is no hand to hold
When the world seems dark and cold
Remember what I told you
And don’t you dare look down
Don’t you dare look down
Don’t look down
When you’re traveling almost at the speed of sound
Don’t you dare look down
The lyrics of David Ryan Harris's song "Don't Look Down" convey a message of guidance and support from a father to his son. The father is aware that his words may not fully explain everything, but he hopes that time and experience will show the son what he means. The father advises the son to not focus on the negative aspects or distractions of life, but instead to always look up and follow his inner light. Life may not always go according to plan, and the son may encounter pain and darkness, but the father assures him that he will always be in his heart.
The first verse sets the tone for the entire song, with the father acknowledging that some things are difficult to put into words. The second verse highlights the father's desire for his son to avoid repeating his mistakes and to always remain true to himself. The second chorus encourages the son to burn rubber, not his soul, and to keep in mind the guidance provided by his father.
Overall, the driving message of this song is to never give up hope and to always strive to be the best version of yourself. It is a touching tribute to the relationship between a father and son, and the importance of passing down wisdom from one generation to the next.
Line by Line Meaning
Son what you don’t understand
I know there are things I cannot explain to you.
My words might never explain
I understand that my words might not cover everything.
So I am hoping that time will
I'm wishing that you should learn with time.
Things may not go as you planned
Life might turn out to be different than what you intended.
Dark clouds might bring you pain
There might be tough circumstances you will face.
But I will be in your heart still, telling you
I'll be by your side, advising you.
“Don’t look down, don’t feast your eyes on things that are on the ground
Don't get lost in petty things, Always look up.
And if it gets hard to focus
If it gets tough to stay persistent.
When you’re traveling almost at the speed of sound
When you're moving too fast to control.
Feeling nowhere bound, remember what I told you
When you feel disconnected, remember my guidance.
And don’t you dare look down
Don't lose your focus, keep your head up.
No father wants his son
No father wants to see their son suffer.
To repeat the wrongs his daddy’s done
To make the same mistakes his father made.
I want you to get it right child
I wish for you to make the right choices.
I won’t always be here for you
I won't be with you forever.
So to yourself always be true
Always remember to stay true to yourself.
And if you get lost, use your inner light child, shine it and
If you ever feel lost, use your instincts and be your own guide.
Almost out of control, burn rubber and not your soul
When you feel like you're about to lose control, don't panic and don't let the situation harm you too much.
Because something lives within
Because there is something inside you.
That you can count on, there is no hand to hold
Something that you can rely on even when you're alone.
When the world seems dark and cold
When everything around you seems hopeless.
Don’t look down
Keep your head held high.
When you’re traveling almost at the speed of sound
Even when life is moving too fast to control.
Don’t you dare look down
Don't lose focus, even for a moment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@micki_06
Son what you don’t understand
My words might never explain
So I am hoping that time will
Things may not go as you planned
Dark clouds might bring you pain
But I will be in your heart still, telling you
“Don’t look down, don’t feast your eyes on things that are on the ground
And if it gets hard to focus
When you’re traveling almost at the speed of sound
Feeling nowhere bound, remember what I told you
And don’t you dare look down
Don’t look down, no
No father wants his son
To repeat the wrongs his daddy’s done
I want you to get it right child
I won’t always be here for you
So to yourself always be true
And if you get lost, use your inner light child, shine it and
Don’t look down
Don’t feast your eyes on things that are on the ground
And if it gets hard to focus
When you’re traveling almost at the speed of sound
Feeling nowhere bound
Almost out of control, burn rubber and not your soul
Because something lives within
That you can count on, there is no hand to hold
When the world seems dark and cold
Remember what I told you
And don’t you dare look down
Don’t you dare look down
Don’t look down
When you’re traveling almost at the speed of sound
Don’t you dare look down
@carguytone7606
R.i.P to all the great bikers who lost their lives along the way this song represents you guys gone but never forgotten 😇🙏
@ThePinkHammerLA
😢😢😢😢RIP to my cousin Gary🏍😇
@dexxx6969
Just lost my son to a bike accident. Damn this song right here. Needed this. Thanks
@jameslyons5690
MLR.....Much Love and Respect
@fortunengcobo901
Touched my heart back then ❤️ still in 2021🏍️❤️🏍️ Biker Boyz we need more movies like that. This song remains me of my childhood memories when me and my best friend use to sing this song over and over again......🎵🎶🎵🎶...... soulful journey
@tiphi4276
Burn rubber..
@isaiah2536
@@tiphi4276Not your soul… ✊🏽
@leeyahrayona5726
Still listening in 2019 !! anyone else ?
@chrismitchell1053
Nope 2020....
@Deyda_Mt
@chris mitchell ✌