The Desert Rose Band was formed in 1985 by frontman Chris Hillman (born December 4, 1944), formerly a member of The Byrds, and co-founder, along with the late Gram Parsons of the country-rock band The Flying Burrito Brothers. Additional members included John Jorgenson (born July 6, 1956), who was mainly responsible for the instrumental arrangements of the songs, and Herb Pedersen (born April 27, 1944) for the vocal arrangements. Pedersen sang the high tenor part above Hillman's tenor and each Desert Rose Band album featured Pedersen on one lead vocal. Drummer Steve Duncan (born July 28, 1953) and bassist Bill Bryson (1946-2017) provided background vocals. Pedal steel player JayDee Maness (born January 4, 1945) rounded out the group.
Their eponymous debut album was issued in 1987 on MCA/Curb. It contained their first hit "Ashes of Love", which was originally a Johnnie & Jack song from the early 1950s. It was the second time Hillman and Pedersen recorded "Ashes of Love," the first being on Hillman's just prior album Desert Rose on the Sugar Hill label. The Desert Rose Band's debut also featured a remake of Chris Hillman's "Time Between" which he previously wrote and recorded as a member of the Byrds, as well as the band's first chart-topper "He's Back and I'm Blue".
Their second album Running (1988) featured the John Hiatt-penned hit "She Don't Love Nobody", "Running", and a remake of Buck Owens's "Hello Trouble".
The third album Pages of Life (1990) featured a remake of "Desert Rose" as well as a remake of Pedersen's folk song about his daughter "Our Baby's Gone" which was originally recorded on his 1976 album Southwest. JayDee Maness left the band in 1990 and was replaced on pedal steel guitar by Tom Brumley whom Jay Dee replaced in the Buckaroos. Maness would again play with Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen on their post Desert Rose Band duo albums Bakersfield Bound and Way Out West.
The fourth studio album, True Love, was released in 1991. It was followed by 1993's Life Goes On, released only in Europe. Several prominent country and bluegrass musicians made guest appearances on Life Goes On including Sam Bush on fiddle, Tony Rice and Larry Park (of Boy Howdy) on guitar, and Al Perkins on dobro. Before the release of this final studio album, was the 1993 compilation Traditional.
John Jorgenson and Steve Duncan left the band in 1991. Jorgenson went on to form the Hellecasters with Will Ray and Jerry Donahue; Duncan also joined the Hellecasters. John Jorgenson is currently playing gypsy jazz with his John Jorgenson Quintette. Chris and Herb recorded an acoustic album called The Other Side in 2005. They continue to tour as an acoustic duo. Former Buck Owens steel player Tom Brumley played with Joey Riley's band in Branson, Missouri. He died on February 3, 2009.
On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed The Desert Rose Band among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.
True Love
Desert Rose Band Lyrics
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That makes my life so much better
Tried and proven down through the ages
And it's guaranteed to keep us all together
Little children teach us so much
Remind us of what we've been missing
Something precious left behind us
I think you know what I'm speaking of
When you're down on your knees
All alone in the night
Would you turn away from a true love
There's not a man of us alive
Who can deny true love
Without the blessing of a true love
A life so cold and uncaring
It's the message for a lifetime
And the sweetest gift of life is the caring
I think you know what I'm speaking of
When you're down on your knees
All alone in the night
Would you turn away from a true love
There's not a man of us alive
Who can deny true love
I think you know what I'm speaking of
When you're down on your knees
All alone in the night
Would you turn away from a true love
There's not a man of us alive
Who can deny true love
There's not a man of us alive
Who can deny true love
There's not a man of us alive
Who can deny true love
The Desert Rose Band's song "True Love" is a tribute to the power and importance of true love. The song argues that while new love may seem exciting and alluring, it is the tried and proven love that truly makes life better, and that binds people together. The lyrics suggest that true love is something that has been passed down through the ages, and that it is something that brings warmth and meaning to life. The song also highlights the importance of children, who can remind us of what we've been missing, and who can teach us important lessons about life and love.
The lyrics of "True Love" speak to the deep emotional need that all people have for authentic, lasting love. The song suggests that true love is not just a fleeting emotion, but something that can sustain a person over the long term. The phrase "when you're down on your knees all alone in the night" suggests that true love can be a source of comfort and solace during difficult times. The song concludes with the idea that no one can deny the power of true love.
Overall, "True Love" is a song that celebrates the importance of authentic human connection, and the way that true love can enrich and transform our lives. It reminds us that while new love may be exciting and thrilling, it is the love that endures that truly shapes and defines our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a true love, not a new love
What makes my life so much better is a love that has stood the test of time and is not just a fleeting infatuation
Tried and proven down through the ages
This true love has been tested and confirmed through generations
And it's guaranteed to keep us all together
This love is a surefire way to keep everyone united
Little children teach us so much
Children have an important lesson to teach us all
Remind us of what we've been missing
They show us what we've been neglecting or forgetting
Something precious left behind us
There is value and meaning in something we left behind in our past
Gathering dust while we've been drifting
While we're aimlessly wandering, this treasure has been going unused and forgotten
I think you know what I'm speaking of
I'm sure you can relate to what I'm saying
When you're down on your knees
When you're feeling low and vulnerable
All alone in the night
When you're isolated and longing for companionship
Would you turn away from a true love
Would you reject a love that is real and sincere
There's not a man of us alive
None of us are exempt from this truth
Who can deny true love
We can't turn our backs on a genuine love that endures
Without the blessing of a true love
A life without this genuine love is empty and unfulfilling
A life so cold and uncaring
A life without genuine love is lonely and indifferent
It's the message for a lifetime
The importance of this true love should guide us through the rest of our lives
And the sweetest gift of life is the caring
The most precious thing in life is to care for and to be cared for by someone we truly love
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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