She received much critical acclaim for her 2005 release, Paradise Hotel, which contains songs that strike a chord with listeners in light of recent events. "Requiem" honors Hurricane Katrina and tsunami victims with hopeful pleas to the Virgin Mary, while "Man of God" is a bitter, unapologetic denouncement of President George W. Bush and his administration.
"The actions of this regime do not follow the teachings of Christ, what I call real Christianity," Gilkyson said in August 2005. "I just don't appreciate the religious right acting like I don't love God and my country just because I'm not in their corner. I'm mad and I want other people to be mad about this too."
In 2008, her album Beautiful World came out, again on Red House Records. The songs vary from pop to folk and points in-between, with songs ranging from intimate ballads to rallying cries against the imperialist machine. She recently collaborated on a new album entitled Red Horse with two of her Red House Records label-mates John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky.
In 2011, she came out with Roses at the End of Time. Recorded at her home with the help of her son and co-producer Cisco Ryder, Gilkyson took a longer time in the studio and came out with a more eclectic and personal album. She continues to tour about 150 dates per year in the United States and overseas.
www.elizagilkyson.com
Beauty Way
Eliza Gilkyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playing music on the Beauty Way
He's gonna die with some money in his pocket
Wish I could do the same today little darling
Wish I could do the same today
Doe eyed kid and a little transistor
Tuned into Wolfman jack
And I never looked back little darling
And I never looked back
I worked the clubs along the Sangre de Cristos?
Polished the diamond in the rough
By the time I hit L.A. I was hotter than a pistol
But you're never hot enough little darling
You never really hot enough
I felt the lights on the big, big stages
The fire burning in my soul
I've had those nights when my guitar rages
But it's not something you control little darling
It's not something you control
Redtail diving for a rat on Sunset
Coyote picking through the trash
Oh I wish I was lying like a cat in the sun
'stead of working like a dog for the cash little darling
I'm only working for the cash
Sometimes I wish I could unplug this cord
And my soul or my money I could save
Oh but every time I say I'm gonna quit the Beauty Way
I hear my bones just turning in their grave little darling
Bones turning in their grave
Hey yeah yeah
Hey yeah
Hey yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
In Eliza Gilkyson's song Beauty Way, she talks about her father's success as a musician and how she wishes she could do the same, while acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices that come with it. The Beauty Way is a Native American spiritual path that is meant to promote harmony and balance within oneself and with others. Gilkyson's father made a living playing music along this path, and she hopes to follow in his footsteps.
The lyrics also touch on the struggle of being a musician and trying to make it in the industry. Gilkyson recalls listening to the radio as a child, dreaming of one day becoming a musician herself. She worked hard to polish her skills and perform in clubs, eventually making it to Los Angeles where she experienced the thrill of the big stage. However, she realizes that no matter how successful you are, you're never really hot enough and that success comes with sacrifices.
In the final verse, Gilkyson muses about wanting to take a break from the industry and the constant pressure to make money. She wishes she could lie in the sun and relax like a cat, instead of working like a dog for the cash. However, every time she thinks about quitting, she feels her bones turning in their grave, a reference to the path her father paved for her and the need to honor his legacy.
Overall, Beauty Way is a reflection on the highs and lows of a musician's life, the pursuit of success, and the importance of acknowledging those who came before us and paved the way.
Line by Line Meaning
My father made a pretty damn good living
My dad had a comfortable income
Playing music on the Beauty Way
Performing songs in his traditional way
He's gonna die with some money in his pocket
He'll pass away with financial resources
Wish I could do the same today little darling
I wish I could have financial stability too, my love.
Wish I could do the same today
I'm hoping I can achieve what my father had.
Doe-eyed kid and a little transistor
As a child, with my transistor radio, every bit of music enthralled me
Tuned into Wolfman jack
Listening attentively to Wolfman Jack.
I picked up a guitar heard the sirens whisper
When gauging the pleasurable sound of the guitar, I knew this was something I couldn't ignore.
And I never looked back little darling
And right from that moment, my heart was set
And I never looked back
Being a musician was my favorite decision I made in life.
I worked the clubs along the Sangre de Cristos?
I performed in clubs situated near the Sangre de Cristos mountain range.
Polished the diamond in the rough
I sharpened my talent and capabilities
By the time I hit L.A. I was hotter than a pistol
Once I arrived in Los Angeles, my success in the music industry blossomed.
But you're never hot enough little darling
Despite achieving great success, it's never enough
You never really hot enough
One is never completely satisfied with what they've accomplished.
I felt the lights on the big, big stages
I have felt the energy of big audience concerts
The fire burning in my soul
Passionately felt immense emotions to entertain the crowd
I've had those nights when my guitar rages
I've experienced nights where I gave an incredible guitar performance
But it's not something you control little darling
But, giving splendid guitar performances isn't my usual ability that can be controlled
It's not something you control
It's a pure and natural gift from me.
Redtail diving for a rat on Sunset
Red-tailed hawk hunting a rat on Sunset
Coyote picking through the trash
Coyote scavenging through the garbage
Oh I wish I was lying like a cat in the sun
Sometimes I wish I could just lounge like a cat in the sun's rays
Instead of working like a dog for the cash little darling
Instead of working hard for money.
I'm only working for the cash
I am practically and honestly working for income.
Sometimes I wish I could unplug this cord
At times, I long to detach from the world of music
And my soul or my money I could save
To save my wealth or conserve my soul
Oh but every time I say I'm gonna quit the Beauty Way
However, when I say I'm done with being a musician
I hear my bones just turning in their grave little darling
I ponder of myself dead
Bones turning in their grave
My spirit still moving just like resting bones
Hey yeah yeah
Hey yeah
Hey yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Contributed by Elena C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Blues Sky
I had the pleasure of running sound for Eliza once at a small venue in Colorado.
Having lived and gigged along the Sangre de Cristo and amongst the Dine’ too, this song hit hard, still does.
Green Fields slayed me , I hear the bones turning too !
The Beauty Way, may we all walk it in this lifetime.
Dahl
One of my favorite songs to cover.
Artistry in Glass
Saw Eliza at the Tucson Folk Festival - also with the amazing Nina Gerber!!
Dickie Sis
and throws it on the side of the road - never heard her before, I heard her on Paul Shugrue, NPR, his show on "Out of the Box" WHRV 89.5 Hampton Roads Va. Thank you Paul, God Bless your Heart!
Lars Larsen
For fanden hvor er hun god :-)
Dickie Sis
Tears my head off
dire wolf
and the always tasteful licks provided by the great nina gerber...
Brandon Englert
I know that she wrote the song and I commend her for that, but I prefer others to sing it. Check out Ray Wylie and Paul Eason
Do It Now! video's yeah!
Will do cause I love this song. It is particular to her, everybodies Dad didn't write Green fields but it is one of the two best songs about playing music itself ( the other is Alejandro Escovedo's Velvet Guitar)
Do It Now! video's yeah!
I miss the Mark Andes slide guitar solo