Cook's West Virginia-born mother played guitar and mandolin and sang on local radio shows. Her father, a Georgia native, also performed country music and served jail time for running moonshine. Upon his release, he and Elizabeth's mother played in local bands together, eventually marrying. Elizabeth, born in 1972, moved to Nashville in her twenties and quickly got a publishing deal. Demos recorded between 1997 and 2000 comprised her independently released debut album, "The Blue Album", which showcased her formidable songwriting ability and featured such well-known Music City musicians as Tim Carroll, Kenny Vaughan, and Rick Schell.
She made her major label debut in 2002 with "Hey Y'All". But following a corporate re-structuring that left the album virtually abandoned and stagnant on sales, Elizabeth fought back with her 2005 independent release "This Side Of The Moon", which received positive reviews.
Her album "Balls" was released May 2007. It was been her most successful album to date, thanks to glowing press reviews and significant video play for the song "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman."
Her 2010 album Welder features appearances by an all-star roster of guests including Dwight Yoakam, Crowell and Buddy Miller, and continued her increasing popularity becoming her highest charting album in the U.S.
Her album "Gospel Plow" was released June 2012.
Cook hosts the morning radio show "Elizabeth Cook's Apron Strings" on the Sirius XM radio station Outlaw Country on Channel 60. The show airs weekdays from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM (Eastern Time). The show format is a mix of Americana, Outlaw, and Alt Country.
In 2016, Cook released her sixth studio album Exodus of Venus.
Official Site
Follow You Like Smoke
Elizabeth Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cling to you like vine, if you'd just say that's fine
Hold you in my arms, and I would never tire
Follow you like smoke from a fire
I'd never run away, at your side I'd stay
Won't leave you alone, if you'll just call my phone
Always be around, if you just so desire
I ain't got much cash, but I'm a smoldering ash
Burning up for you, nothing I can do
If I didn't say, I would be a liar
I'd follow you like smoke, from a fire
I'd follow you like smoke, from a fire
In Elizabeth Cook's song "Follow You Like Smoke", the singer is expressing their unwavering loyalty and devotion to their love interest. They would cling to them like glue or vine and hold them in their arms without ever getting tired. They offer to always be present whenever the love interest needs them, and they would never run away from them. The singer describes their love for the other person as a fire that they cannot control or put out. They don't have much to offer materially, but they believe that their love is genuine and intense enough to make up for it.
The song is a powerful declaration of love that is both romantic and slightly unsettling. The fact that the singer would follow their love interest like smoke from a fire is a vivid image that brings to mind a stalker or someone who is overly possessive. However, the song manages to avoid becoming creepy due to the poetic nature of the lyrics and the soulful delivery of Cook's vocals. The song is a testament to the power of love and the lengths that people will go to for the ones they care about.
Overall, "Follow You Like Smoke" is a song that speaks to the heart and captures the intensity of love. It's a powerful ballad that showcases Cook's ability to convey complex emotions through her music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd stick to you like glue if I was able to
I will remain with you closely and never let you go even if I could.
Cling to you like vine, if you'd just say that's fine
I would hold on to you firmly like a vine if you'd just permit it.
Hold you in my arms, and I would never tire
I would embrace you and never grow weary of doing so.
Follow you like smoke from a fire
I will pursue you relentlessly like smoke from a burning fire.
I'd never run away, at your side I'd stay
I will never abandon you, instead I will always stay by your side.
Won't leave you alone, if you'll just call my phone
I will always be available for you, just call me and I will never leave you alone.
Always be around, if you just so desire
I will always be present in your life, if that is what you want.
I ain't got much cash, but I'm a smoldering ash
I may not have much money, but my passion for you burns bright like a smoldering ash.
Burning up for you, nothing I can do
My love for you is burning me up inside and there is nothing I can do about it.
If I didn't say, I would be a liar
If I did not express my feelings for you, I would be dishonest.
I'd follow you like smoke, from a fire
I will pursue you relentlessly like smoke from a burning fire.
Contributed by Kylie J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.