Yoakam was born in Pikeville, Kentucky, the son of Ruth Ann, a key-punch operator, and David Yoakam, a gas-station owner. He was raised in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Columbus's Northland High School in 1974. During his high school years, he excelled in both music and drama, regularly securing the lead role in school plays, such as "Charlie" in a stage version of Flowers for Algernon, honing his skills under the guidance of teacher-mentors Jerry McAfee (music) and Charles Lewis (drama). Outside of school, Yoakam sang and played guitar with local garage bands, and entertained his friends and classmates with his impersonations, such as Richard Nixon, who, at the time, was heavily embroiled in the Watergate controversy.
Yoakam briefly attended Ohio State University, but dropped out and moved to Nashville in 1977 with the intent of becoming a recording artist. Later on, Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg, West Virginia awarded and presented Dwight with an honorary doctorate degree on May 7, 2005.
When he began his career, Nashville was oriented toward pop "urban cowboy" music, and Yoakam's brand of hip honky tonk music was not considered marketable.
Not making much headway in Nashville, Yoakam moved to Los Angeles and worked towards bringing his particular brand of new Honky Tonk or "Hillbilly" music (as he called it) forward into the 1980s. Writing all his own songs, and continuing to perform mostly outside traditional country music channels, Yoakam did many shows in rock and punk rock clubs around Los Angeles, playing with roots rock or punk rock acts like The Blasters (Yoakam scored a small video hit with his version of their song "Long White Cadillac"), Los Lobos, and X. This helped him diversify his audience beyond the typical country music fans, and his authentic, groundbreaking music is often credited with rock audiences accepting country music.
Yoakam's recording debut was the self-financed EP Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. on independent label Oak Records produced by lead-guitarist Pete Anderson; this was later re-released by Reprise records, with several additional tracks, as his major-label debut LP, 1986's Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.. It launched his career. "Honky Tonk Man", a remake of the Johnny Horton song, and "Guitars, Cadillacs" were hit singles. His stylish video "Honky Tonk Man" was the first country music video ever played on MTV. The follow-up LP, Hillbilly Deluxe, was just as successful. His third LP, Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room, included his first No. 1, a duet with his musical idol, Buck Owens, on "Streets of Bakersfield". 1990's If There Was a Way was another best-seller.
Yoakam's song "Readin', Rightin', Route 23" pays tribute to his childhood move from Kentucky, and is named after a local expression describing the route that rural Kentuckians took to find a job outside of the coal mines. (U.S. Route 23 runs north from Kentucky through Columbus and Toledo, Ohio and through the automotive centers of Michigan.) Rather than the standard line that their elementary schools taught "the three Rs" of "Readin', 'Ritin', and 'Rithmetic", Kentuckians used to say that the three Rs they learned were "Readin', 'Ritin, and Route 23 North".
Johnny Cash once cited Yoakam as his favorite country singer. Chris Isaak called him as good a songwriter that ever put a pen to paper. Time Magazine dubbed Yoakam "A Renaissance Man" and Vanity Fair declared that "Yoakam strides the divide between rock's lust and country's lament." Along with his bluegrass and honky-tonk roots, Yoakam has written or covered many Elvis Presley-style rockabilly songs, including his covers of Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" in 1999 and Presley's "Suspicious Minds" in 1992. He recorded a cover of The Clash's "Train in Vain" in 1997, a cover of the Grateful Dead song "Truckin'", as well as Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me". Yoakam has never been associated only with Country music; on many early tours, he played with Hardcore Punk bands like Hüsker Dü, and played many shows around Los Angeles with Roots/Punk/Rock & Roll acts. His middle-period-to-later records saw him branching out to different styles, covering Rock & Roll, Punk, 1960's, Blues-based "Boogie" like ZZ Top, and writing more adventurous songs like "A Thousand Miles From Nowhere". In 2003, he provided background vocals on Warren Zevon's last album The Wind.
In the 21st century, Yoakam released dwightyoakamacoustic.net, an album featuring solo acoustic versions of many of his hits; left his major label and started his own label.
2005 saw the release of Yoakam's well-reviewed album Blame the Vain, on New West Records. Yoakam also released an album dedicated to Buck Owens, Dwight Sings Buck, on October 23, 2007. His duet with Michelle Branch, a song titled "Long Goodbye", was released as a free download on Branch's official website in early 2011.
In July 2011, Yoakam re-signed with Warner Bros. Nashville and announced plans to release a new album. 3 Pears was released on September 18, 2012 with twelve new tracks. The album, produced by Yoakam, includes collaborations with Kid Rock, Beck, and Ashley Monroe. 3 Pears was released to resounding critical acclaim and earned Yoakam the highest-charting debut of his career on the Billboard 200 and Billboard Country Albums charts. 3 Pears reached #1 on the Americana Radio chart on October 29, 2012 and went on to break the 2012 record for most weeks at #1 on Americana Radio.[4] By the end of 2012, the album was named on annual best of lists by NPR, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, AOL's The Boot, Entertainment Weekly, The Village Voice, and Rhapsody, and has been included in more critic's "best of 2012" lists than any other artist in the country genre.
Yoakam won the Grammy Award for "Best Male Country Vocal Performance" in 1993 for the song "Ain't That Lonely Yet". He was also named "Artist of the Year" by CMT Europe in 1993 and given the International Touring Artist Award by CMA in 2007.
In 2011, Yoakam received the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award for his trailblazing achievements in the country music genre.
1
Dwight Yoakam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I stay dumb and no one tells
But if I find out that you've been cheatin'
What I don't know might get you killed
Well, death row in prison it don't look half as bad
As a life filled with heartache over you
So if you're a playin' those dirty little games
'Cause what I don't know might not hurt me
If I stay dumb and no one tells
But if I find out that you've been cheatin'
What I don't know might get you killed
Well Smith and Wesson juries hold a real mean, nasty court
And the verdict that they pass is never slow
So keep on a wearin' that little poker face
'Cause soon enough your cards will have to show
And what I don't know might not hurt me
If I stay dumb and no one tells
But if I find out that you've been cheatin'
What I don't know might get you killed
What I don't know might get you killed
What I don't know might get you killed
The lyrics to Dwight Yoakam's song "What I Don't Know" are centered around the theme of infidelity and the repercussions that could result from not knowing. The first verse highlights the idea that ignorance could be bliss - what we don't know could not hurt us as long as there are no revelations from others. However, the second verse illustrates the severity of the situation, as a life of heartache over a cheating partner is deemed worse than death row in prison. The lyrics then become more ominous as Dwight warns that if his partner is indeed cheating, it may lead to dire consequences, even death, if he finds out the truth.
The last verse furthers the idea that Dwight is not joking around and is willing to take matters into his own hands should his partner continue the infidelity. The mention of Smith and Wesson, a well-known gun manufacturer, hints at the possibility of violence towards the cheating partner, as they will have to face the consequences of their actions sooner or later.
In summary, the lyrics of "What I Don't Know" are a warning and a threat against cheating, and the consequences that could result if the truth is revealed. The song serves as a reminder that honesty and faithfulness are essential aspects of a healthy and happy relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
What I don't know might not hurt me
Ignorance may not harm me in some situations.
If I stay dumb and no one tells
If I remain clueless and nobody lets me know about the truth.
But if I find out that you've been cheatin'
However, if I discover that you've been unfaithful.
What I don't know might get you killed
My ignorance could lead to grave consequences for you.
Well, death row in prison it don't look half as bad
Imprisonment on death row may seem better than living with the pain of heartbreak caused by you.
As a life filled with heartache over you
The suffering I would endure by continuing to be with you.
So if you're a playin' those dirty little games
Therefore, if you're engaging in deceptive actions.
You better pray that I don't find out the truth
It would be wise for you to hope that I don't uncover your misdeeds.
'Cause what I don't know might not hurt me
Again, not knowing may not have negative consequences.
Well Smith and Wesson juries hold a real mean, nasty court
However, if I do find out, the consequences could be severe, as represented by a tough, uncompromising court system.
And the verdict that they pass is never slow
The consequences, if any, will be swift and merciless.
So keep on a wearin' that little poker face
Therefore, continue to hide your true intentions and emotions.
'Cause soon enough your cards will have to show
But at some point, your actions will reveal your true character.
What I don't know might not hurt me
Again, depending on the situation, it may not cause harm.
If I stay dumb and no one tells
But remaining in the dark is only a temporary and unreliable solution.
But if I find out that you've been cheatin'
If I do eventually learn of your dishonesty.
What I don't know might get you killed
This revelation could have serious, even lethal consequences for you.
What I don't know might get you killed
Reiterated for emphasis, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DWIGHT YOAKAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abby M
You're the one
You're the one
That made me cry
You're the one
That laughed at me
Then said goodbye
You're the one
You're the one
That made me blue
So how's it feel
Now that you're the one
It's happened to
Now you're back
Calling me with open arms
What happened to the one
You met with all that charm
You say he's gone
you're alone
Well that's a shame
But if you think real hard
I know you'll see
Just who's to blame
You're the one
You're the one
That made me cry
You're the one
That laughed at me
Then said goodbye
You're the one
You're the one
That made me blue
So how's it feel
Now that you're the one
It's happened to
You're begging me to think
About the love we've shared
Yet it seems to me
Not too long ago you didn't care
The love you left
No longer lives
Within my heart
See the game you played
So recklessly
Tore it all apart
And you're the one
You're the one
That made me cry
You're the one
That laughed at me
Then said goodbye
You're the one
You're the one
That made me blue
So how's it feel
Now that you're the one
It's happened to
Oh tell me how's it feel now
That you're the one
How's it feel to be the one
How's it feel now
That you're the one it's happened to
You're the one
You're the one
Yeah, you're the one
You're the one
You're the one
You're the one
Yeah, you're the one
You're the one
ImCarlosReyes
You're the one
You're the one
That made me cry
Oh you're the one
That laughed at me
Then said goodbye
You're the one
You're the one
That made me blue
So how's it feel
Now that you're the one
Its happened to
Now you're back calling me with open arms
What happened to the one you met with all that charm
You say he's gone
And you're alone
Well that's a shame
But if you think real hard
I know you'll see
Just who's to blame
Now you're the one
You're the one
That made me cry
Oh you're the one
That laughed at me
Then said goodbye
You're the one
You're the one
That made me blue
So how's it feel
Now that you're the one
Its happened to
You're begging me to think about the love we shared
Yet it seems to me not too long ago, you didn't care
The love you left
No longer lives
Within my heart
See the game you played
So recklessly
Tore it all apart
And you're the one
You're the one
That made me cry
Oh you're the one
That laughed at me
Then said goodbye
You're the one
You're the one
That made me blue
So how's it feel
Now that you're the one
Its happened to
Oh tell me how's it feel, now that you're the one
How's it feel to be the one
How's it feel now that you're the one its happened to
You're the one
Oh, you're the one
You're the one
Oh you're the one
Your the one
Oh you're the one
Yeah you're the one
Oh you're the one
Oh you're the one
Martha Stephens
Dwight finally just got inducted into the songwriters hall of fame !! Well deserved 👌🙌👍
Eddie Schwab
Pretty awesome considering how many hits he had covering other artists. But yes he had a lot of other Good Hits himself too not sure if he wrote any material for other artists though that is the true test of talent
Appropinquo
Dwight Yoakam is such an amazing singer, why can't we have more artists like this?
Chester B
Because they (unfortunately) dont exist anymore!
Jmoney
You could hear one second if his voice and it was automatic who it was singing
SWO MAN
Give Dave Fenley a listen, i hope you enjoy
kenneth brimm
They've all passed away but their music will last through the ages
Jack Keeble
Dewight is one of the greatest artists of all time! Never get tired of hearing him!
ed garlick
Dwight is probably gotta be the absolutely most underrated country artist, personally I think that he's up in the top ten of all time.
Definitely my favorite country artist!
Ron Johnson
Yeh a guys like garth brooks are over rated