In addition to his own albums, Eaglesmith frequently collaborated with the late Willie P. Bennett, a past member of Eaglesmith's band, who had to step down after a heart attack in spring 2007. Eaglesmith's fans are known as Fredheads because of the similarities to deadheads. He has appeared in several movies, including "The Gift" and "50 Odd Dollars." His band is known as The Flying Squirrels or The Flathead Noodlers. Both bands have the same lineup, but play different styles. The Flathead Noodlers play bluegrass, while the Flying Squirrels play more folk and rock. An early incarnation of the band was known as The Smokin' Losers. When Fred does solo appearances he bills himself as Fred J. Eaglesmith. In addition to the songs, a typical Fred Eaglesmith show includes several lengthy between-song comic monologues by Fred. Topics in the past have included stories about crossing the U.S./Canada border, Newfoundlanders, and some friends from an Indian reserve. Eaglesmith is the owner and president of A Major Label, which publishes his records.
Current band members
* Fred J. Eaglesmith - Guitars, Vocals
* Matt Simpson - Acoustic guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
* Kori Heppner - Drums
* Luke Stackhouse - Bass, Vocals
Former members
* Willie P. Bennett - Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals
* David Essig - Mandolin, Guitar
* Kevin Komatsu - Drums
* Roger Marin Jr. - Pedal Steel, Guitar, Vocals
* Ralph Schipper - Bass
* Jude Waldman - Drums
* Dan Walsh - Dobro, Guitar, Vocals
* Skip Wamsteeker - Drums
* Washboard Hank - Washboard, Dobro
* Darcy Yates - Bass
Discography
* Fred Eaglesmith (1980)
* The Boy That Just Went Wrong (1983)
* Indiana Road (1987)
* There Ain't No Easy Road (1991)
* Things Is Changin' (1993)
* Paradise Motel (1994)
* Drive-In Movie (1995)
* Lipstick, Lies and Gasoline (1997)
* 50 Odd Dollars (1999)
* Live: Ralph's Last Show (2001)
* Falling Stars and Broken Hearts (2002)
* The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 1' (2002)
* Balin (2003)
* The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 2' (2004)
* Dusty (2004)
* Milly's Cafe (2006)
* Tinderbox (2008)
www.fredeaglesmith.com
18 Wheels
Fred Eaglesmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Forty miles out of Michigan
Spiderweb headlights
Shut me down
I knocked on the door
I rang the bell
The sign said vacancy
Eighteen wheels up against the wall
Fifty-six tons, grain alcohol
Danger pay, I'm trying to be strong
But my will is gone
My will is gone
My will is gone
Lightning flashing
Standing in a phone booth
I called her number
I got a machine
I heard her voice
I heard the tone
I tried to speak
I couldn't say anything
Eighteen wheels up against the wall
Fifty-six tons, grain alcohol
Danger pay, I'm trying to be strong
But my will is gone
My will is gone
My will is gone
Blinding snow
Sioux City Iowa
It dawned on me
She was gone to stay
I jammed the brakes
I swung it around
Now I'm headin' back
But it's way too late
Eighteen wheels up against the wall
Fifty-six tons, grain alcohol
Danger pay, I'm trying to be strong
But my will is gone
My will is gone
My will is gone
The song "18 Wheels" by Fred Eaglesmith is a heart-wrenching song about a truck driver who is struggling to hold on to his will to live after losing someone he loves. The lyrics start with a vivid image of a stormy night, with rain pouring down and spiderweb headlights, which adds to the overall sense of despair and hopelessness. The driver is then faced with the realization that he is alone, as he knocks on doors and finds only vacancy signs.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the driver is attempting to call his loved one, but is unable to find the words. The chorus repeats the number of his truck, and the weight of the cargo he's carrying, which underscores the driver's sense of loneliness and isolation.
In the final verse, the driver finds out that his loved one has left him for good, and in a moment of desperation, he turns his truck around and heads back to try and make things right. But it's too late, as he's lost everything he ever cared about.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving rain
The weather was heavy with rain while he drove.
Forty miles out of Michigan
He had left Michigan forty miles behind.
Spiderweb headlights
The headlights were barely piercing through the darkness of the storm.
Shut me down
The weather forced him to stop.
I knocked on the door
He tried to check into a motel.
I rang the bell
He let the motel know he was there.
The sign said vacancy
The motel had rooms available.
There was no-one around
No one was there to help him check into the motel.
Eighteen wheels up against the wall
His truck was parked against the wall.
Fifty-six tons, grain alcohol
He had a huge load of grain alcohol in his eighteen wheeler.
Danger pay, I'm trying to be strong
He knows there is a risk with carrying so much alcohol and is trying to stay strong.
But my will is gone
His mental strength is gone.
Lightning flashing
A lightning storm occurred.
Standing in a phone booth
He was using a phone booth.
I called her number
He called her.
I got a machine
He got her answering machine.
I heard her voice
He heard her voice on the answering machine.
I heard the tone
He heard the emotion of her voice.
I tried to speak
He attempted to say something.
I couldn't say anything
He was unable to express his words.
Blinding snow
He was experiencing very strong snowfall.
Sioux City Iowa
He is headed toward Sioux City, Iowa.
It dawned on me
He realized something.
She was gone to stay
She left permanently.
I jammed the brakes
He braked his truck hard.
I swung it around
He turned his truck around.
Now I'm headin' back
He is going back home.
But it's way too late
It is too late to save their relationship.
Eighteen wheels up against the wall
His truck is still parked against the motel wall.
Fifty-six tons, grain alcohol
The alcohol cargo is still in the back of the truck.
Danger pay, I'm trying to be strong
He is still aware of the risk with the cargo.
But my will is gone
He is still mentally defeated.
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Fred Elgersma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Duffin
on John Deere B
"The original B" s/b "The original paint"
"Then I saw I saw the mirror" s/b "Then I saw them narrow"