Besides these two songs, five more of Montgomery's singles have reached the top of the country charts: "I Love the Way You Love Me", "Be My Baby Tonight", "If You've Got Love", "I Can Love You Like That", and "The Little Girl", while thirteen more have reached Top Ten. Montgomery's recordings of "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" were both released concurrently with R&B versions by the group All-4-One. Montgomery has also released eleven studio albums, counting a Christmas album.
John Michael joined the family band (which also included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who would later join Troy Gentry in the duo Montgomery Gentry) as guitarist before taking the lead singing role when his parents divorced. Afterwards, he made a frugal living on the local honky-tonk scene as a solo artist playing what he referred to as "working man's country." Eventually, Atlantic Records signed him.
Taking off the Edge
John Michael Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I been down on my knees
Well I been downtown
And I been down on the farm
I can't be satisfied
But I'm gonna have to find
A way to kick back and
Take off the edge
Now there's a little gal I know
Just south of Tupelo
Her hair is dark and her legs are long and tan
She rubs my back just right
Till way up in the night
She knows how to
Take off the edge
I've been laid up with the flu
Laid off a time or two
I've been uptight
And I've been up a creek
I'm gonna take my bamboo pole
And head out to the fishing hole
Don't you know it helps to
Take off the edge
Now there's a little gal I know
Just south of Tupelo
Her hair is dark and her legs are long and tan
She rubs my back just right
Till way up in the night
She knows how to
Take off the edge
Now it's morning once again
Oh, Lord I just punched in
And I can't hardly wait till quitting time
Gonna get that big brown jug
All I need is a little slug
Just another way to
Takin' off the edge
Now there's a little gal I know
Just south of Tupelo
Her hair is dark and her legs are long and tan
She rubs my back just right
Till way up in the night
Well she knows how to
Take off the edge
Oh she sure knows how to
Take off the edge
The song "Taking off the Edge" by John Michael Montgomery is about finding ways to cope with life's ups and downs. The lyrics suggest that life can be tough, and the singer has had his fair share of struggles. He has been down on his luck and knees, been laid up with the flu, laid off a few times, and has been uptight, just to name a few. Despite all of this, he recognizes the importance of finding ways to "take off the edge" and calm his nerves. He mentions a little gal he knows just south of Tupelo who rubs his back just right until way up in the night, as well as fishing and drinking as ways to cope with the stress of life.
The repeated phrase "take off the edge" is a metaphor for finding ways to relax and unwind. The song also touches on the idea of escapism, as the singer looks for ways to forget about his problems and just enjoy life. The lyrics are relatable and poignant, as many people can relate to the feeling of needing to escape and find ways to deal with life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I been down on my luck
I have had a lot of bad experiences lately
I been down on my knees
I have been in a very difficult situation and struggling to cope
Well I been downtown
I have been living in a city
And I been down on the farm
I have also lived in the countryside
I can't be satisfied
I feel discontented and unsatisfied
But I'm gonna have to find
But I need to find
A way to kick back and
A way to relax and unwind
Take off the edge
To escape the stress and strain of daily life
Now there's a little gal I know
There is a woman I know
Just south of Tupelo
Who lives just south of Tupelo, Mississippi
Her hair is dark and her legs are long and tan
She is an attractive woman with dark hair and tanned legs
She rubs my back just right
She gives me a massage that makes me feel good
Till way up in the night
Until very late at night
She knows how to
She is able to
I've been laid up with the flu
I have been sick with the flu
Laid off a time or two
I have lost my job or been unemployed for a period of time
I've been uptight
I have been very anxious and stressed
And I've been up a creek
I have been in a difficult and challenging situation
I'm gonna take my bamboo pole
I will take my fishing rod made of bamboo
And head out to the fishing hole
And go to a good spot for fishing
Don't you know it helps to
You know that it is helpful to
Now it's morning once again
It is now the morning of another day
Oh, Lord I just punched in
Oh, I have just arrived at work
And I can't hardly wait till quitting time
And I am eagerly looking forward to when it is time to finish work
Gonna get that big brown jug
I will get a large brown container
All I need is a little slug
I only need a small amount of alcohol
Just another way to
Another method to
Takin' off the edge
Relieve stress and anxiety
Oh she sure knows how to
She is certainly skilled at
Take off the edge
Helping me to release tension and stress
Lyrics © MDI MUSIC ADMIN & CONSULTATION, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LARRY SHELL, LARRY E. CORDLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind