Shortly after high school, in 1970, with fellow Lubbock musicians Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, he formed The Flatlanders. According to Ely, "Jimmie was like a well of country music. He knew everything about it. And Butch was from the folk world. I was kinda the rock & roll guy, and we almost had a triad. We hit it off and started playing a lot together. That opened up a whole new world I had never known existed." In 1972, the band released their first and— until 2002's Now Again— only album, but have appeared together on each other's albums. Since the band's initial break-up just after their album was cut, the three musicians have followed individual paths.
Ely's own first album, self titled, was released in 1977. The following year, his band played London where he met punk rock group The Clash. Impressed with each other's performances, the two bands would later tour together, including appearances in Ely's hometown of Lubbock, as well as Laredo and Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, across the border from El Paso, Texas.
Since then, a steady stream of albums have followed, most on the MCA label. Ely's live performances have become legendary, and he has released a live album roughly every ten years (the last was Live at Antone's in 2000). He has had a genre-crossing career, performing with Bruce Springsteen, Los Super Seven, David Grissom, and James McMurtry in addition to his early work with The Clash and more recent acoustic tours with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, and Guy Clark.
In the late 1990s, Ely was asked to write songs for Robert Redford's movie The Horse Whisperer, which led to reforming The Flatlanders with Gilmore and Hancock for an appearance on the movie soundtrack. A new album from the trio followed in 2002, with a third in 2004.
In February 2007, Ely released "Happy Songs From Rattlesnake Gulch" on his own label, Rack 'Em Records. A book of Ely's writings was published in early 2007 by the University of Texas Press. Ely also released a second album of old lyrics that he has finally recorded.
Several other reissues of Ely's previous work were due out later in 2007 on Rack 'Em.
Live Forever
Joe Ely Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
You're gonna wanna hold me
Just like I always told you
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
But I will always be around
Just like the songs I leave behind me
I'm gonna live forever now
You fathers and you mothers
Be good to one another
Please try to raise your children right
Don't let the darkness take 'em
Don't make 'em feel forsaken
Just lead 'em safely to the light
When this old world is blown asunder
And all the stars from fall the sky
Remember someone really loves you
We'll live forever, you and I
The lyrics to Joe Ely's song "Live Forever" exude confidence, hope, and a sense of timelessness. In the opening lines, Ely proclaims his desire to live forever, and to achieve this feat, he must cross a challenging river and claim tomorrow as his own. It seems that Ely is not just talking about physical immortality but about leaving an indelible mark on the world through his creative output. He then reassures his loved ones that they will miss him when he is gone, but his presence and influence will linger on like the songs he will leave behind.
As the verses progress, Ely appeals to parents to raise their children properly, to protect them from darkness and to guide them towards the light. The message is that the actions we take in life can have a lasting impact on future generations, and we should strive to leave the world a better place than we found it. The song concludes on an optimistic note, suggesting that even if the world were to end, the love shared between individuals could transcend time and space, and they could indeed live forever.
Overall, "Live Forever" is a powerful and uplifting song that encourages listeners to believe in themselves, cherish their loved ones, and make a positive difference in the world. It is a testament to the enduring power of music and art to inspire and unite people across generations and borders.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna live forever
I will always be remembered through the legacy of my songs and the impact I made in the world
I'm gonna cross that river
I am eager to move on from this life to the next chapter, and I'm not afraid of death
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
I am excited about the future and all the possibilities that lay ahead
You're gonna wanna hold me
People will appreciate my contributions to music and the world, and they will want to show their gratitude
Just like I always told you
My music contains valuable lessons and insights that will resonate with people, and they will remember them after I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
People will feel a sense of loss when I pass away, but my music and legacy will always live on
Nobody here will ever find me
Although I may not be physically present, my music and spirit will always be around, influencing and inspiring people
But I will always be around
My legacy and impact will persist long after I pass away
Just like the songs I leave behind me
My music will be a lasting reminder of who I was and what I stood for
I'm gonna live forever now
Even though my body will die, my soul will live on through my music and the impact I made in the world
You fathers and you mothers
I am calling on parents to take responsibility for their children and raise them well
Be good to one another
We should treat each other with kindness and respect, and build strong, supportive communities
Please try to raise your children right
Parents have a responsibility to instill strong values and beliefs in their children, and prepare them for a meaningful life
Don't let the darkness take 'em
We must protect our children from negative influences and harmful behaviors that could lead them down the wrong path
Don't make 'em feel forsaken
We should always show our children love and support, even in difficult times
Just lead 'em safely to the light
Our goal as parents should be to guide our children towards a positive, fulfilling life
When this old world is blown asunder
One day the world may come to an end, but the impact we make during our time here will last forever
And all the stars from fall the sky
Even the most powerful and awe-inspiring things in the universe are subject to change and impermanence
Remember someone really loves you
No matter how difficult life may be, there is always someone out there who cares for and values us
We'll live forever, you and I
Our legacies and the impact we make in the world will persist long after we're gone
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddy (john Edwin) Shaver, Billy Joe Shaver
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Atmo Dinesh
"I'm Gonna Live Forever" Lyrics
Joe Ely
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
You're gonna wanna hold me
Just like I've always told you
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Nobody here will ever find me
But I will always be around
Just like the songs I leave behind me
I'm gonna live forever now
You fathers and you mothers
Be good to one another
Please try to raise your children right
Don't let the darkness take 'em
Don't make 'em feel forsaken
Just lead 'em safely to the light
When this old world is blown asunder
And all the stars fall from the sky
Remember someone really loves you
We'll live forever, you and I
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
I'm gonna live forever now
I'm gonna live forever now
I'm gonna live forever now
I'm gonna live forever now
Mike Miller Sr
I’m Gonna Live Forever
Lyrics and music by Joe Ely
[Lyrics Joe Ely - I'm Gonna Live Forever]
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
You're gonna wanna hold me
Just like I've always told you
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Nobody here will ever find me
But I will always be around
Just like the songs I leave behind me
I'm gonna live forever now
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
You're gonna wanna hold me
Just like I've always told you
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
111 8 bars
You fathers and you mothers
Be good to one another
Please try to raise your children right
Don't let the darkness take 'em
Don't make 'em feel forsaken
Just lead 'em safely to the light
When this old world is blown asunder
And all the stars fall from the sky
Remember someone really loves you
We'll live forever, you and I
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna cross that river
I'm gonna catch tomorrow now
You're gonna wanna hold me
Just like I've always told you
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
8 bars
ending outro
boothl232
One of my favorite singers doing one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite songwriters. It doesn't get any better. imagine all the great music if Billy Joe Shaver and Joe Ely could live forever.
james boyer
I DON'T THINK WE ARE WORTH OF THAT KIND OF BLESSING!
satexguy1
It's been 35+ years since I first saw Joe at the Soap Creek Saloon, just after his first album. Saw him just last week as well. His version of this BJS classic is as good as it gets - thanks for posting!
Jim Flynn
Nice performance by one of Texas' finest artists. Great song by the one and only Billy Joe Shaver.
Nocturnal Madness
Thank you Joe Ely and YouTube recommendations! This is a beautiful song! Just awesome! God bless you, sir!
RocNLoretta
Everytime I hear Joe play this beautiful Billy Joe Shaver song it blows my heart asunder! Thank you patiodaddyo1 for bringing this 'hot off the press' upload to Loretta's attention. Great job MusicFog!
JA
DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS !! I know it will if Music Fog has more. I never get tired of listening to Music Fog and all they have done for the Folk Singers. Not too mention what they've done for my ears. Go Joe !
Larry Windsor
Man, that was great!
Bob Schuster
Thank you for your music Joe.
Nova507
Beautiful song. Thank you, Music Fog, for sharing it on YouTube.