Gilmore is a native of the Texas Panhandle, having been born in Amarillo, T… Read Full Bio ↴Gilmore is a native of the Texas Panhandle, having been born in Amarillo, Texas and raised in Lubbock, Texas. His earliest musical influence was Hank Williams and the honky tonk brand of country music that his father played. In the 1950s, he was exposed to the emerging rock and roll of other Texans such as Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Lubbock native Buddy Holly. He was profoundly influenced in the 1960s by the likes of The Beatles and Bob Dylan and the folk music and blues revival in that decade.

Gilmore also played "Smokey" in The Big Lebowski

Beautiful Rose
Jimmie Dale Gilmore Lyrics

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Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
Well Dallas is a jewel, oh yeah, Dallas is a beautiful sight.
And Dallas is a jungle but Dallas gives a beautiful light.
Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?

Well, Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you're down.
But when you are up, she's the kind you want to take around.
But Dallas ain't a woman to help you get your feet on the ground.

Yes Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you're down.

Well, I came into Dallas with the bright lights on my mind,
But I came into Dallas with a Dollar and a dime.

Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eye.
A steel and concrete soul with a warm hearted love disguise.

A rich man who tends to believe in his own lies.
Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes.

Overall Meaning

The song "Dallas" by Jimmie Dale Gilmore is a masterpiece in its own right. It's a song that talks about the city of Dallas, Texas, from the perspective of an individual who has visited it. The song opens with "Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night? Well Dallas is a jewel, oh yeah, Dallas is a beautiful sight. And Dallas is a jungle but Dallas gives a beautiful light. Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?" From this, it's evident that the songwriter is talking about the beauty of the city seen from an airplane. He compares the city lights to a jewel and calls the city a "jungle," which gives "a beautiful light."

As the song progresses, the tone changes, and the songwriter takes a more critical approach to the city. The song talks about how the city can be ruthless, and how it can be challenging for individuals to get back up when they're down. The lyrics, "Well, Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you're down. But when you are up, she's the kind you want to take around. But Dallas ain't a woman to help you get your feet on the ground. Yes Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you're down," describe the fickleness of the city. The songwriter paints a picture of a city that can be charming one moment and cold-hearted the next.

The song ends on a warning note about the dangers of wealth and the illusion it creates. The lyrics, "Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eye. A steel and concrete soul with a warm-hearted love disguise. A rich man who tends to believe in his own lies. Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes," refer to the rich and powerful residents of Dallas that are blinded by their own wealth and success. Dallas, in this context, is more than just a city; it's a metaphor for the emptiness and loneliness that wealth can create.

Line by Line Meaning

Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
Have you ever witnessed the beauty and magnificence of Dallas at night while flying in a DC-9?

Well Dallas is a jewel, oh yeah, Dallas is a beautiful sight.
Dallas is a wonderful and sightly place which appears like a glorious jewel.

And Dallas is a jungle but Dallas gives a beautiful light.
Despite being chaotic like a jungle, the city of Dallas emits a wonderful and charming light.

Well, Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you're down.
Dallas is personified as a woman who can be harsh and uncaring when one is going through difficult times.

But when you are up, she's the kind you want to take around.
When you're successful and feeling good, Dallas becomes a companion you desire to show off.

But Dallas ain't a woman to help you get your feet on the ground.
However, Dallas isn't the type of woman who will help you out when you're struggling and trying to stabilize yourself.

Well, I came into Dallas with the bright lights on my mind,
I had high hopes and aspirations as I entered Dallas.

But I came into Dallas with a Dollar and a dime.
Despite my dreams, I didn't have much money on me when I arrived in Dallas.

Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eye.
Dallas is likened to a wealthy individual who has a subconscious desire for death or self-destruction.

A steel and concrete soul with a warm hearted love disguise.
Despite the harsh and brutal exterior of Dallas, it hides a kind and loving heart.

A rich man who tends to believe in his own lies.
Being wealthy, Dallas tends to believe in its own lies or falsehoods due to its status and power.

Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes.
The song repeats the refrain, emphasizing the point that Dallas is a wealthy and powerful entity that desires death and destruction upon itself.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GILMORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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