John David Kent released an EP in 2009 that evolved into John's first full-length record as a front man. Released on his independent label, Blackland/Roustabout Records, JDK's eponymous debut saw instant success. Propelled by three top 20 singles on the Texas Country chart, Runaway, Back To The Country, & My Girl (also a CMT Pure Country hit video), JDK has generated a following of thousands of listeners waiting to see what he will do with this momentum. Originally from Greenville, currently residing in the neighboring town of Celeste, and packing up for his future home in Spicewood, JDK is on the move in many ways.
Before The Sun Comes Up, JDK's highly anticipated sophomore record, "embodies everything that the first record foreshadowed", explains Kent. "It was during a recent acoustic set when I realized that I often write about driving, open roads, moving, and being gone...which makes total sense because that's what I know. I've been gone for half of my life". Fans of the first record will once again ride shotgun as JDK drives you from sunset to sunrise in a teenaged American summer. Fueled by his trademark sing-a-long melodies, these songs are as ready for audiences seated on dancehall barstools, as they are for those on lawn seats at an amphitheater. Characteristic of JDK's sound, Before The Sun Comes Up balances commercial appeal with raw energy. Whiskey Myers' frontman, Cody Cannon, tells listeners to expect "country-infused rock and roll delivered in a very honest way. JDK's new record is tighter, more mature, and keeps his signature sound that's very vintage, but still modern. This kind of music is rare these days".
For his sophomore album, John stepped back from the producer's seat and tapped the internationally renowned writer/producer/mixer/engineer, Dwight Baker, to take the reins in Baker's Matchbox Studios in Austin. Baker has worked with artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Blue October, David Archuleta, & Bob Schneider. A collaboration between two individuals who are comfortable blurring genre lines was fitting. On working together in the studio, Kent recalls, "Dwight works fast, which we had to get used to. It forced us to be in the moment, quick on our toes…to know when to move forward before we start overthinking it". The result is a collection of songs that JDK hopes will do the same thing for his listeners that songs like Ramblin' Man did for him as a teenager. "It's that feeling of driving with the windows down in the summer with your girl leaning on your shoulder, and that perfect song comes on the radio. It's those melodies and lyrics that color those moments. I want this record to create those memories for other people".
Fans may notice some newer faces in the band, but these guys have a long-standing musical relationship. Drummer Tony Kent is John's brother and he feels that "playing with him every night is truly a blessing". Lead guitarist Colton Gilbreath is someone John remembers seeing play when he was a kid. "Even back then, he was this 14 year old monster on guitar. We're really glad to have him on board". Bassist Randall Fuller is someone that John has known for over a decade when they met at former bandmate Ben Kweller's house. Put simply, this is a band of brothers ready to capitalize on the sweat equity they've cultivated in the music industry over the years.
So exactly how does John David Kent measure future success? With characteristic humility, Kent answers, "before I was in the music business, I was a music fan. I will continue to be one no matter where this leads". Perhaps College Station Radio DJ, Adam Drake, can help JDK see where his art is leading his listeners. "This music will take you on a ride; it's got everything from the fun and upbeat songs, to the stuff that just tears at your heart. The older I've gotten, the less time I have to hop in the truck and drive down to the beach. I love it when albums like this make me want to do just that". Whether opening for Merle Haggard or playing festivals in France this summer, it would appear that this band's road trip is just getting started.
Killing My Head
John David Kent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got me thinkin' 'bout how much time has passed
Where we used to go sneakin' 'round
Wishing we were older, laying in the grass
Well I want you to wait for the sound
I want you to wait for me now
It's all killing my head
Wrap your legs around me, honey, hold on tight
Let's see how far this tank of gas gets us tonight
Whisper in my ear, baby, don't slow down
So I pull back on the throttle, yeah, we're leavin' this town
Well, I want you for the sound
I want you to wait for me now
And it's all killing my head
And it's all killing my head
Well, it's all killing my head
Wishing we were young again
Yeah, it's all killing my head
Well I want you wait for the sound
I want you to wait for me now
Well I want you wait for the sound
I want you wait for me now
And it's all killing my head
Yeah, it's all killing my head
Well, it's all killing my head
Wishing we were young again
Yeah, it's all killing my head
Sitting 'round, looking back, tryin' to remember everything
In John David Kent's song Killing My Head, the singer is reflecting on his past memories with someone he used to know. He saw this person and it gets him thinking about how much time has passed since they used to sneak around, wishing they were older and laying in the grass. The singer's desire for this person is intense, he wants them to wait for him and for the sound. The repetition of this phrase, "I want you to wait for me now," emphasizes the urgency and importance of their connection to him.
The next verse describes the singer and the person getting in a car and leaving town together. The excitement and passion between them is palpable. The singer also repeats the phrase "it's all killing my head" throughout the song, which speaks to the overwhelming emotions and memories that he is experiencing. The chorus reinforces this feeling, as the singer wishes they were young again and wishes that time had not passed them by.
Overall, the song Killing My Head is a reflection on the power of nostalgia, memories, and desire. The singer is grappling with the passage of time and the feeling that he cannot recapture the intensity of his past experiences. The song paints a vivid and emotional picture of the longing that can come with looking back on the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you
I saw you and it triggered a flood of memories and emotions.
Got me thinkin' 'bout how much time has passed
Seeing you made me realize how much time has gone by since we were together.
Where we used to go sneakin' 'round
I started reminiscing about the secretive places we used to go to.
Wishing we were older, laying in the grass
Back then, we wished we were grown up so we could do more together without getting in trouble.
Well I want you to wait for the sound
I want you to be patient and wait for me to make a move.
It's all killing my head
The flood of memories and emotions is overwhelming and causing me distress.
Wrap your legs around me, honey, hold on tight
Let's get lost in the moment together and enjoy each other's company.
Let's see how far this tank of gas gets us tonight
Let's go on an adventure together and see where the night takes us, without worrying about the consequences.
Whisper in my ear, baby, don't slow down
Keep the excitement going and make me feel alive by whispering sweet nothings in my ear.
So I pull back on the throttle, yeah, we're leavin' this town
Let's escape reality by leaving this town and going on a wild ride together.
And it's all killing my head
Despite the thrills of the moment, the memories from the past are still causing me distress.
Wishing we were young again
I wish we could go back to the carefree days of our youth.
Well I want you wait for the sound
I want to be in control of this moment and make the first move.
Well I want you wait for the sound
I want you to be patient and wait for me to make the next move.
And it's all killing my head
The memories from the past are still haunting me and causing me pain.
Yeah, it's all killing my head
The weight of the past is a heavy burden and is overwhelming me.
Wishing we were young again
I wish we could go back to a simpler time when we weren't weighed down by the memories of our past.
Sitting 'round, looking back, tryin' to remember everything
I'm stuck in the past, reflecting on all our memories together and trying to relive them in my head.
Contributed by Tyler M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.