Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Take That Ride
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't I try to give you all the right stuff
Hung around when the going got tough
Don't you believe I love you long enough
Where were you when the world turned black
All those nights you never answered back
And I just ask you to cut me a little slack
[Chorus: ]
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
Tho' there maybe nothing on the other side
I'm too old for changin'
My true blues have all been tried
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
You always were the one
Gave me my place out in the sun
And we raised a glass to the one
It was thy will be done
So don't you believe it's time to let me go
The clock is winding down and I'm moving slow
I could keep on dancing, just for show
Don't you believe it's time to let me go
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
Whatever's waiting on the other side
Had a little glory and I still got my pride
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
Oh don't you believe it's time to take that ride
Take that ride
Take that ride
Take that ride
In "Take That Ride," Emmylou Harris sings about a relationship that's coming to an end. She questions whether her partner believes she's loved them long enough and gave them all the right things. Harris wonders where they were when things got tough and asks for a little slack when she herself couldn't be there for them. The chorus has her singing about taking a ride, possibly a metaphor for leaving the relationship or starting a new chapter, even though she's too old to change or try new things. She's had some glory and pride but is ready to move on.
The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that's run its course, but the singer is hesitant to let go because they've invested so much time and effort. The song carries a sense of wistfulness and resignation to the situation, despite the grit and determination in Harris's voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you believe I love you long enough
I hope you know by now how much I love you.
Didn't I try to give you all the right stuff
I did my best to provide you with everything you needed.
Hung around when the going got tough
I stayed by your side even when things were difficult.
Where were you when the world turned black
You weren't there for me when I needed you the most.
All those nights you never answered back
You ignored me and refused to communicate.
And I just ask you to cut me a little slack
I simply requested some understanding and leniency from you.
One of these days I'm gonna take that ride
At some point, I plan to take a chance and make a big change in my life.
Tho' there maybe nothing on the other side
Although the outcome may be uncertain, I'm still determined to take a risk.
I'm too old for changin'
I've reached a point where I'm comfortable with who I am and I don't feel the need to change.
My true blues have all been tried
I've gone through enough difficult experiences to know what I really want and need in life.
You always were the one
Throughout everything, you've been the most important person in my life.
Gave me my place out in the sun
You provided me with an opportunity to shine and be happy.
And we raised a glass to the one
Together, we celebrated our love and happiness.
It was thy will be done
We put our trust in a higher power and accepted whatever happened as fate.
So don't you believe it's time to let me go
I'm asking you to finally let me move on and make my own decisions.
The clock is winding down and I'm moving slow
I'm getting older and time is running out for me.
I could keep on dancing, just for show
I could continue to pretend to be content with my life even though I'm not.
Oh don't you believe it's time to take that ride
I hope you can see that it's time for me to take a big and important step in my life.
Take that ride
I'm going to take that chance and see where life takes me.
Take that ride
I'm going to take that risk and make a change in my life.
Take that ride
I'm determined to take that journey and see what happens.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EMMYLOU HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind