In 1997, at the age of 15, he released his major-label debut, 'Lie to Me'. Though it picked up mixed critical reviews, the album served as a commercial breakthrough, with single "Lie to Me" particularly receiving much airplay and earning the #12 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. That blues rock track continues to be beloved by Lang's fan-base.
Lang followed with 'Wander This World', released on October 20, 1998. Broadening his sound somewhat with influences from classic soul and modern rock, the release experienced widespread success. His singles, "Wander This World" and "Still Rainin'", did particularly well, the latter tune reaching the #8 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.
Several releases and constant touring later, Lang's latest work is 'Fight For My Soul', released on September 2, 2013. The album has received critical acclaim from publications such has Allmusic, with the reviewers remarking that Lang "dives headfirst into classic soul and R&B, its elastic, funky grooves allowing the guitarist plenty of space to solo". It also hit the #20 slot on Billboard's 'Top Rock Albums' chart, selling extremely well.
Part of his success has been due to a voice that sounds somewhat like that of a 40-year-old blues veteran, containing what fans have seen as a harshness tempered by a fine falsetto that has taken prominence in his newest albums. Another part of his success is his scorching, electrifying guitar solos, which display a prodigious natural talent honed by years of practice and playing. Whatever the secret to his success, the youngster has quickly become a fixture in the blues world, drawing crowds wherever he goes.
Lang has drawn deeply from the wellspring of influences from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, and Albert Collins. Many blues artists have also been encouraged to pick up the guitar from his example. As he becomes more confident in his role as a musical veteran instead of a boy wonder, one can see the possibilities he has yet to share with his fans.
Blew Up
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen, I looked around saw nothing but my soul missing
So I hit the switch took out everything but the kitchen.
Like a couple of fish flopping down on the floor
Wait a minute, engines and sirens all up in a roar
Fire chief said son, what you want to do this for?
(Yeah)
You wouldn't have liked the man I was before
So I blew up the house
Gonna let it burn (alright)
Gonna let it burn (ooohhh)
Gonna let it burn down
Baby, I blew up the house
Just to watch it burn
(Just to watch it burn)
Gonna let it burn down (alright)
Let it burn down (wooo)
Listen
Now they check your pulse just to see if you can still breathe
I was barely alive apparently for no good reason
All this before I had been thinking the same way
Sometimes it's better just to start again
So I blew up the house
Gonna let it burn
(Gonna let it burn)
Gonna let it burn
(Gonna let it burn)
Gonna let it burn down
Baby, I blew up the house
Just to watch it burn
(Just to watch it burn)
Gonna let it burn down (alright)
Let it burn down
And it might take a while
I gotta give it up
But I'm gonna give it up
I gotta let that man go
Gonna let it burn down
Baby I blew up the house yeah
Just to watch it burn
Gonna watch it burn
Let it burn down
I know I aint your kind of crazy
I'm so sorry baby
If I had a chance, I'd do it again
Yeeeaaahhh
Yeah, I blew up the house
Gonna let it burn
(Gonna let it burn)
Gonna let it burn
(Gonna let it burn)
Gonna let it burn down
Yeah, I blew up the house
Just to watch it burn
(Just to watch it burn)
Gonna let it burn down
Let it burn down
Otta give it up (I had to watch my memories go up in a puff of smoke)
But I'm gonna give it up
I gotta let that man go (they might think I'm crazy)
Gonna let it burn down
Baby I blew up the house yeah
Just to watch it burn
Gonna let it burn
Let it burn down
Just to watch it burn
Gonna watch it burn
Let it burn down
Gonna let it burn
Gonna let it burn
Gonna let it burn down
Just to watch it burn
(Just to watch it burn)
Gonna let it burn down
Just to watch it burn (gotta start my life over)
Gonna let it burn
Just to let it burn down
Gonna let it burn down
(I'm a little crazy but I'm willing to take that chance)
Just to watch it burn
(Just to watch it burn)
Let it burn down
The song “Blew Up” by Jonny Lang is about starting over and leaving the past behind. He uses the metaphor of blowing up a house to represent this idea. In the first verse of the song, Jonny recounts hitting rock bottom, when he felt like he had nothing left to lose. He uses the expression “took out everything but the kitchen” to illustrate how he got rid of all the negative things in his life. The reference to “engines and sirens all up in a roar” suggests that this was a dramatic and destructive moment.
In the chorus, Jonny sings “baby, I blew up the house, just to watch it burn, gonna let it burn down”. Here, he is saying that he destroyed his past life in order to move on and start again. He acknowledges that this will take time and hard work, but he is committed to the process. In the second verse, Jonny talks about how he wants to let go of the person he used to be and start afresh. He recognizes that sometimes it’s better to start over than to try to fix what’s broken.
Overall, the song “Blew Up” expresses the idea of letting go of the past and embracing change. It’s a powerful anthem about finding the strength to rebuild your life from the ground up.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen, I looked around saw nothing but my soul missing
Feeling lost and without purpose, I surveyed my life and saw emptiness
So I hit the switch took out everything but the kitchen.
I acted impulsively, deleting everything in my life except for the bare minimum
Like a couple of fish flopping down on the floor
My life was in disarray, like fish struggling to survive on a dry floor
Wait a minute, engines and sirens all up in a roar
The chaos of my actions caused a commotion with noise and alarms
Fire chief said son, what you want to do this for?
Authority figures questioned my motives for such drastic measures
I am sorry sir I just can't take it no more
I apologized for my actions, but explained that I had reached my breaking point
You wouldn't have liked the man I was before
My previous self was not someone to be admired or respected
Now they check your pulse just to see if you can still breathe
I was barely holding on, and people wondered if I was even still alive
All this before I had been thinking the same way
Before I took drastic action, I was stuck in a negative thought process
Sometimes it's better just to start again
Starting fresh can be the best way to escape old patterns and problems
And it might take a while
Recovery or moving on may be a long process
I know I aint your kind of crazy
I am aware that my actions were extreme and not everyone's cup of tea
I'm so sorry baby
I feel regret about the hurt I may have caused to others
If I had a chance, I'd do it again
I stand by my decision, and would take the same action again if given the chance
Otta give it up (I had to watch my memories go up in a puff of smoke)
I had to let go of memories and possessions, even if it was painful
But I'm gonna give it up
I am committed to letting go and moving on
Gonna let it burn down
I am willing to let everything burn and start anew
Just to watch it burn (gotta start my life over)
I am fascinated and ready to witness the destruction and rebirth of my life
Gonna watch it burn
I look forward to the process of change and renewal
Gonna let it burn down
I am fully committed to the destruction and transformation of my life
Contributed by Ella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Crouch
Wow, went to see Jonny Lang 4 29 2017 in Naples Fl ... wow is all I can
say. I had no idea that his voice was as good as it gets... and of course his guitar
playing is probably the best ever... and the fact that he put on an
amazing show for 350 old farts, he gave 100% and blew me away. Kinda sad
I missed the meet and greet as i actually hung out with his Dad a
couple times in MN (Jonny had a house on Lake Minnetonka next to one of
my good friends). As a musician myself I can say, if you check out some
of his youtube stuff that is even a year or 2 old... he has gotten EVEN
BETTER!!!! Amazing.... big fan!
slash2jimi
I think he's one of the most under rated artists out there! His "Turn Around" album is my all time favorite albums.
Pario
That voice just rips through my soul. What a performance!!
Mike Mayco
I'm an old musician and I've never heard anyone sing with more passion than this guy absolutely terrific
Clinton Jones
Terrific vocalist and instramentalist.
Jelly-Rex ☕️
First time I saw Johnny Lang in person was in dc with B.B.King. 17 year old boy, bare feet , singing like a 60 year old blues singer: OMG!!!💥I’ve listened to him ever since. Damn that boys got talent!💞
MizzFknToxic
Just as much energy as the album! Love him!
Brian Holihan
He puts his whole heart into every note. What a joy to watch.
Blue Poppy
Incredible voice !! great guitar player !
David Crouch
Wow, went to see Jonny Lang 4 29 2017 in Naples Fl ... wow is all I can
say. I had no idea that his voice was as good as it gets... and of course his guitar
playing is probably the best ever... and the fact that he put on an
amazing show for 350 old farts, he gave 100% and blew me away. Kinda sad
I missed the meet and greet as i actually hung out with his Dad a
couple times in MN (Jonny had a house on Lake Minnetonka next to one of
my good friends). As a musician myself I can say, if you check out some
of his youtube stuff that is even a year or 2 old... he has gotten EVEN
BETTER!!!! Amazing.... big fan!
SweeneyTomm
'I Blew Up My House'... playing his albums so loud! He, and a few others, have a voice that can just stop you...and make you say..."DAMN!" (and then leave you silent, smiling, and Body-a-rock-in' for the remainder of the song.)