The group released their self-titled first album in 1994 on Okeh/Epic, a subsidiary of Sony Music. On the strength of the single "Cold Beverage", in part due to MTV rotation, the album nearly went gold. After which, trying to capitalize on the success of the album, the group toured heavily, eventually landing a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour.
In 1995 they released their follow up album Coast to Coast Motel. Though it did not sell as well as the first album, it is generally considered among critics as the stronger of the two albums.
On tour following the release of the second album the group nearly broke up, due to bickering about finances. Deciding on a hiatus the three members went their separate ways, working on various side projects.
By October 1997 the group had reconciled their differences and released their third album, Yeah, It's That Easy, which along with their own work, showcased their collaboration with several other bands and musicians, including All Fellas Band, Philly Cartel, King's Court, and Dr. John. This soul-influenced album was more similar to their debut album than their previous release.
Soon after G. Love & Special Sauce set out on another world tour, returning to Philadelphia in 1999 for the release of their fourth album, Philadelphonic. Philadelphonic was followed up with Electric Mile in 2001, an album that shows the wide-ranging influences of the group, incorporating hip-hop, funk, psychedlia, blues, and soul in equal and ambitious measure. Ever the road band, the release of "Electric Mile" was followed by extensive touring.
By 2004 and The Hustle, G. Love (with the help of his bandmates and others) went solo and had eased up a little on the kitchen sink approach, offering instead a cohesive, dry groove reminiscent of his earliest efforts. Hustle was also the first G. Love release under Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records banner; the two had been pals at least since Philadelphonic, which Johnson had been a guest on.
Special Sauce did a series of shows in 2004 with Jack Johnson and fellow Brushfire artist Donavon Frankenreiter, and the trio also found time to issue a brief live EP, titled Some Live Songs.
In the summer 2005, the band was featured (along with the less well known Philly local Chuck Treece of 80's skate-rock band McRad) in an advertisement for the launch of Coca-Cola Zero, featuring the groups own unique version of the noted Coca-Cola advertising song I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.
G. Love's 2nd electrical solo release Lemonade also included Special Sauce on some tracks. Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman, Ben Harper, Jasper, and Blackalicious also contrbuted.
G. Love still continues to tour with the Special Sauce in the meantime.
No Turning Back
G. Love & Special Sauce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she left her home
The morning desert sun was at her back
She knew right then
There would be no truning back
Leaving home was the best thought that she had
But now in a parking lot in washington
She asked to herself what had she done
Two more nights till colorado
And the scene was done
And if flying back home
Was as easy as the run
She realized the there'd be no turning back
Where will you take me?
What will we do?
Where will you take me?
What will we do?
Then a man drove off in a bright white cadillac
She got in that ride and she never came back
She knows what she needs
She said it feels so good to me
She knows what she needs
She said it feels so good to me
Ain't no turning back
The lyrics to G. Love & Special Sauce's song No Turning Back tell the story of a young girl who leaves her home with the conviction that she will never return. The desert sun at her back, she sets off on her journey with a sense of purpose and determination. However, as she reaches a parking lot in Washington and contemplates what she has done, doubts begin to creep in. She feels the weight of the choices she has made, and wonders if she has made a mistake. Earth mother bear and eagle are “on the run” with her, representing the way she is connected to the natural world and seeking a sense of freedom.
As she continues on her journey, she meets a man who drives a bright white Cadillac. She gets in the car with him and never looks back. Although she may still have questions about where her journey will take her, she knows that she has found something that feels good and right to her. She speaks with conviction about her decision, saying “She knows what she needs, she said it feels so good to me. Ain't no turning back”.
The song can be interpreted in different ways, but it ultimately tells a story about the courage to make big decisions and take risks, even when we are unsure of the outcome. It speaks to the way that we can find ourselves questioning our choices and wondering if we have made a mistake, but how we must continue on our journey in order to discover what we truly need.
Line by Line Meaning
She was just 19 years old
At the time she left home, the girl was only 19 years old
When she left her home
She departed from her family's house
The morning desert sun was at her back
As she started her journey, the morning sun was behind her in the desert landscape
She knew right then
At that moment, she had a clear understanding
There would be no turning back
She would be committed to her decision and could not reverse it
Leaving home was the best thought that she had
Despite any fears or doubts, leaving her home was the best decision she could think of making
But now in a parking lot in washington
At a later point in her journey, she found herself in a parking lot in Washington state
She asked to herself what had she done
She felt regret and questioned her actions
Earth mother bear and eagle was on the run
It seems like there was some kind of urgency or danger evident in the natural environment around her
Two more nights till colorado
She still had two nights to travel before reaching Colorado
And the scene was done
The previous situation or setting had ended
And if flying back home
If she tried to fly back to her starting point
Was as easy as the run
If it were as simple to return as it was to leave
She realized the there'd be no turning back
She came to the realization that her choice to leave home was irrevocable
Where will you take me?
A question about her future destination
What will we do?
A query about the plans for the next stage of her journey
Then a man drove off in a bright white cadillac
A man in a fancy car drove away
She got in that ride and she never came back
She accepted the opportunity to travel with him and did not return home
She knows what she needs
She is aware of her own desires
She said it feels so good to me
She expressed how happy she was with her current situation
Ain't no turning back
There is no possibility of undoing what has been done
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GARRETT DUTTON, EARL BRYANT, CHAD HOWLETT, JAMES H PRESCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind