Dillon Carmichael was born in Burgin, a small town in Kentucky, and grew up with a family that was passionate about music. Both of his grandfathers, Harold Carmichael and Harold Montgomery, were professional musicians (the former was a gospel singer and the latter a country picker who appeared on the Grand Ole Opry). Both of Dillon's parents had been singers who often performed in public. And he also had two uncles who rose to fame in country music; John Michael Montgomery enjoyed a handful of hits in the '90s, while Eddie Montgomery was a co-founder of the rowdy, Southern rock-inspired act Montgomery Gentry. Dillon got his first guitar from his father when he was 11 years old, and he taught himself to play. Once he became comfortable with the instrument, teenaged Dillon put together a band with his friends, and they played talent shows and informal gigs around town. The band broke up, and Carmichael struck out on his own, writing songs and playing solo shows at bars throughout Kentucky.
When he was 18, Carmichael's talent came to the attention of a representative of a Nashville publishing house, who offered to strike a deal with Dillon once he graduated from high school. Four days after he got his diploma, Carmichael packed his bags and moved to Nashville, where he signed that publishing contract and began making his way into the Music City music community. As Carmichael honed his talent, his style began to reflect his early influences, which included the home truths of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings and the outlaw rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Eventually, Carmichael found a sympathetic collaborator in producer Dave Cobb, who had developed a reputation for his work with Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, and Chris Stapleton. Working together in the studio, Cobb helped Carmichael cut his debut single, an homage to classic country titled "Old Songs Like That," which was released in October 2017. A second single, "Made to Be a Country Boy," followed in February 2018. The two singles received positive notices in the country music press, as did Carmichael's first full-length album, Hell on an Angel, which was released by Riser House Records in October 2018.
Natural Disaster
Dillon Carmichael Lyrics
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And my tears are like a cold Kentucky rain
Like an avalanche in Denver I keep crashing down
No matter how hard I try
Like a Mississippi mud slide I keep losing ground
Just when I think things will get better
The whisky wont chase down a memory that’s faster
It’s too late for cover
Here comes another natural disaster
I am no stranger to all of Gods wonder
I have survived all kinds of hell
I thought I’ve seen the worst of the pain
How could I know
Like an angry volcano she’d blow me away
Just when I think things will get better
Oh, mother nature won’t let me forget her
The whisky wont chase down a memory that’s faster
It’s too late for cover
Here comes another natural disaster
Well it’s too late for cover
Here comes another natural disaster
The lyrics of Dillon Carmichael's song "Natural Disaster" paint a vivid picture of a life filled with unpredictability and hardship. The comparison of the singer's life to a Texas tornado, a cold Kentucky rain, and an avalanche in Denver showcases the turbulent nature of their journey. They feel like they are constantly crashing down, unable to gain stability or make progress. The reference to a Mississippi mud slide further emphasizes their constant struggle and how they continue to lose ground.
The chorus reflects a recurring theme in the song: the inability to escape or forget the struggles they face. No matter how hard they try to move on or drown their sorrows in whiskey, they are reminded of these challenges. The imagery of a natural disaster serves as a metaphor for the singer's ongoing hardships. Just when they believe things might improve, Mother Nature, representing the forces beyond their control, reminds them of their vulnerability and the inevitability of more struggles.
The second verse suggests that the singer has experienced various forms of pain throughout their life. They have survived multiple challenges and thought they had seen the worst. However, they are taken by surprise when faced with an unexpected and explosive eruption, symbolized by an angry volcano. This reinforces the idea that life's difficulties can come from unexpected sources, leaving them feeling blown away and overwhelmed.
Overall, "Natural Disaster" speaks to the relentless nature of life's challenges and the singer's inability to escape or find peace. It highlights the struggle of trying to navigate through a series of unfortunate events, mirroring the unpredictable power of natural disasters.
Line by Line Meaning
My life’s blown by like a Texas tornado
My life has passed by quickly and tumultuously, just like a powerful tornado in Texas.
And my tears are like a cold Kentucky rain
The tears I shed are equivalent to a chilling rain in Kentucky, conveying the sadness and pain I feel.
Like an avalanche in Denver I keep crashing down
Similar to an avalanche wreaking havoc in Denver, I continuously experience destructive and overwhelming situations.
No matter how hard I try
Despite putting in great effort and determination
Like a Mississippi mud slide I keep losing ground
Similar to how an uncontrollable mudslide in Mississippi causes loss and regression, I consistently find myself losing progress and stability.
Just when I think things will get better
Right at the moment when I begin to believe that circumstances will improve
Oh, mother nature won’t let me forget her
Mother nature, representing the forces beyond human control, refuses to allow me to overlook her presence and influence.
The whisky won't chase down a memory that’s faster
Drinking whisky cannot erase memories that persistently haunt and overwhelm me.
It’s too late for cover
I have reached a point where seeking refuge or protection is no longer a viable option.
Here comes another natural disaster
I am about to face yet another overwhelming and uncontrollable situation, similar to a natural disaster.
I am no stranger to all of God's wonder
I am familiar with and have experienced the awe-inspiring and sometimes destructive power of God's creations.
I have survived all kinds of hell
I have managed to endure and overcome various forms of intense suffering and torment.
I thought I’ve seen the worst of the pain
I believed that I had already witnessed and endured the most agonizing moments.
How could I know
Little did I realize
Like an angry volcano she’d blow me away
Similar to how a furious volcano can erupt violently and devastate everything in its path, I would be overwhelmingly affected by an unforeseen force.
Well it’s too late for cover
At this point, seeking protection or shelter is no longer an option.
Here comes another natural disaster
I am about to face another uncontrollable and disastrous event, which feels akin to a force of nature.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY SMITH, CHRIS WALLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind