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.
Cherry Red
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watchin' you all the time
Watchin' you
Watchin' you all the time
Watchin' you destroy yourself
All you do is sit around drinking cherry wine
You worry me baby
You worry me baby,
I'm sitting here wonderin' what I'm gonna do
We've got so much to live for baby
I can't sit here doing nothing and watch that wine destroy you
I'm taking you to the doctor darling
Maybe the doctor knows
What's going on in your head
Maybe the doctor can help me baby
Maybe he knows
What's going on in your head
You see you're gonna keep on drinking that bad wine baby
Break
Even the glass that grows on your grave will be cherry red
Big ending
In Jonny Lang's song "Cherry Red Wine", the lyrics talk about the struggle of watching someone you care about destroy themselves with alcohol. The repetitive phrase "watchin' you" highlights the feeling of helplessness and constant vigilance that the singer feels towards the person in question. Their worry for the person is also conveyed in the lyric "You worry me baby, I'm sitting here wonderin' what in the world I'm gonna do". The singer acknowledges that the person drinking the cherry red wine is hurting themselves and recognizes that they need help to stop this self-destructive behavior. This is clear in the line "We've got so much to live for baby, I can't sit here doing nothing and watch that wine destroy you."
The singer is proactive in caring for the person and takes them to see a doctor with the hope that the doctor can help them overcome their addiction. The line "Maybe the doctor can help me baby, maybe he knows what's going on in your head" shows that the singer is invested in the person's well-being and is trying to do everything they can to help them.
Overall, "Cherry Red Wine" is a poignant and emotional song that highlights the pain and anguish of watching someone you care about suffer from addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Watchin' you baby
The singer is observing the subject closely
Watchin' you all the time
The singer is constantly observing the subject
Watchin' you
The singer is still observing the subject
Watchin' you all the time
The artist is still constantly observing the subject
Watchin' you destroy yourself
The subject's actions are self-destructive
All you do is sit around drinking cherry wine
The subject's main activity is drinking cherry wine
You worry me baby
The subject's actions are causing concern for the singer
I'm sitting here wonderin' what in the world I'm gonna do
The artist is feeling helpless and unsure of what to do
We've got so much to live for baby
The artist reminds the subject that they have more to live for
I can't sit here doing nothing and watch that wine destroy you
The artist is determined to take action to prevent the subject's self-destruction
I'm taking you to the doctor darling
The singer is going to take the subject to see a doctor
Maybe the doctor knows
The artist hopes the doctor will have insight
What's going on in your head
The singer questions the subject's mental state
Maybe the doctor can help me baby
The singer hopes the doctor can provide guidance and assistance
You see you're gonna keep on drinking that bad wine baby
The singer believes the subject is likely to continue their self-destructive behavior
Even the glass that grows on your grave will be cherry red
The artist predicts that the subject's self-destruction will ultimately lead to their demise
Big ending
The song concludes with a final statement
Lyrics © Exceleration Music Partners, LLC
Written by: LUTHER SYLVESTER ALLISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LizAndrsn
on Red Light
To me Red Light speaks of someone at the crossroads of taking their own life, questioning their life decisions and future.