Although comparisons have been made to many artists, such as Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley and Jimi Hendrix, James prefers to celebrate his own unique style which he says has been influenced by "everything and nothing" (but not forgetting Bob Dylan).
Finalist in 2005's BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, playing to a full house at the Sage, Gateshead, and featured on Mike's Radio 2 folk programme in December 2005, James and other finalists were described by Mike Harding as "the cream of the UK's young acoustic folk and roots scene".
Down To The Ground Blues
James Chadwick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the while I was looking for the devil's but the devil was looking for mine.
Strumming my guitar feel the spark like moonshine whiskey in may.
I'm a steady rolling girl with a best Sunday dress still nothing's gonna come my way.
So tell New York I'm coming
I'm gonna quit this crazy town
Had dirt on my clothes too long
Down to the ground.
Daddy's little girl with a string of shining pearls like a rope around her neck,
She works her fingers to the bone just to get home to her starlight hotel bed.
Well I could waste my life in the same old place but it's bringing me misery.
Well you'd better watch out 'cause I won't slow down and you're not gonna come with me.
So tell New York I'm coming
I'm gonna quit this crazy town
Had dirt on my clothes too long
Now nothing's gonna drag me down
Down to the ground.
I'm not like the others
But I'm no different
I'm just gonna get out of here
So tell New York I'm coming
I'm gonna quit this crazy town
Had dirt on my clothes too long
Now nothing's gonna drag me down
Down to the ground.
So tell New York I'm coming
I'm gonna quit this crazy town
Had dirt on my clothes too long
Now nothing's gonna drag me down
Down to the ground
The lyrics of James Chadwick's "Down To The Ground Blues" narrate the story of a woman who seeks to leave her hometown and start a new life. The opening line reveals her intentions, as she strolls down the highway where routes 61 and 49 meet, looking for her soul. However, as she keeps searching for the Devil, she realizes that the devil is also searching for her. This line signifies the struggles she may face while trying to escape her past and pursue her dreams.
As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the woman is a musician, who is strumming her guitar and channeling her creativity, reminiscent of the outlaw country music scene. Despite her upbeat melody, she still faces challenges, as expressed in the lyric "still nothing's gonna come my way," portraying the uncertainty of whether or not her musical career will take off. However, she remains determined, and even though she had dirt on her clothes for too long, she exclaims that nothing will drag her down, down to the ground.
In the second verse, the lyrics describe the woman as a "daddy's little girl with a string of shining pearls like a rope around her neck," symbolizing the societal chains she must break in order to gain independence. She grinds herself tirelessly to get home to her hotel bed, just to make ends meet. The line "Well you'd better watch out 'cause I won't slow down and you're not gonna come with me" shows her confidence, passion, and determination to appeal to contextual dignity.
Overall, the song's message can be interpreted as one of determination and grit. It's a story of a woman who is determined to achieve her dreams and is willing to leave her past behind to do so. Despite the obstacles that attempt to bring her down, she remains optimistic and moves forward, creating a hopeful outlook on the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking for a soul just strollin' down the highway where 61 meets 49,
Searching for purpose while wandering aimlessly through life's crossroads.
All the while I was looking for the devil's but the devil was looking for mine.
I thought I was in control of my life, but really it was being controlled by outside influences.
Strumming my guitar feel the spark like moonshine whiskey in may.
Playing music ignites a feeling of passion inside of me, like a fiery drink on a warm spring day.
I'm a steady rolling girl with a best Sunday dress still nothing's gonna come my way.
I may be on the move, but I am confident in my own ability to handle whatever life throws at me.
So tell New York I'm coming
I am determined to make it in the big city.
I'm gonna quit this crazy town
I am leaving behind the place that brought me nothing but trouble and heartache.
Had dirt on my clothes too long
I have been stuck in the same rut for far too long.
Now nothing's gonna drag me down
No obstacle or challenge will prevent me from reaching my destination.
Down to the ground.
I am determined to succeed, even if it means I have to start from the bottom.
Daddy's little girl with a string of shining pearls like a rope around her neck,
Despite being raised in privilege, there is a sense of imprisonment and suffocation that comes along with it.
She works her fingers to the bone just to get home to her starlight hotel bed.
She is constantly working hard to maintain the luxurious lifestyle that has been forced upon her.
Well I could waste my life in the same old place but it's bringing me misery.
I refuse to let my life become a cycle of pain and disappointment, repeating the same patterns over and over again.
Well you'd better watch out 'cause I won't slow down and you're not gonna come with me.
I am determined to succeed on my own terms and will not let anyone or anything stand in my way.
I'm not like the others
I am unique and refuse to conform to societal norms or expectations.
But I'm no different
Despite my individuality, I still face the same struggles and obstacles as everyone else.
I'm just gonna get out of here
My ultimate goal is to escape the current circumstances that have been holding me back and preventing me from reaching my full potential.
Contributed by Keira O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Broken Homes
Fun fact : In Get On Up, Chadwick did most of dancing and singing himself although he didn't have a dancing and singing background before that. He trained two months to learned how to sing and dance properly. Such a talented actor, you cannot hate this man! God bless you king, may your soul rest in peace.......🙏 💔
Count Dooku
Thank you for this, makes me appreciate his performance even more
Lookupandlive 247
You say he did most of the dancing, who did the dancing that Chadwick didn't do?
51migneri
Such a talented man; I’m in tears for the loss his family has had to endure.
Uncle Boyd
Actually he lip synced all of it...
David Emanuel Rosini
"In my culture, death does not mean the end"
-Chadwick Boseman
Rest in peace our king.
Dominique Jones
More of a stepping off point
Basheer Muhammad
The fact that James Brown really had three drummers on stage playing, speaks to how Mr. Brown really thought of things should be.
Michael Holter
O
Blue Neptune
When I saw this film Get On Up, I literally felt like I was watching James Brown himself! Chadwick rocked this role! Breaks my heart that he was taken so soon, RIP Boseman!