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.
Give Me Up Again
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be doing fine with or without you
I'm wasting my time letting you deceive me
The truth is in your eyes but I deny what I see
Time and time again
I let you get back under my skin
I let you break me down again
But I see through it
You gave me that smile and I gave in
And you knew that I would
Time and time again you pulled me in
Just to give me up, give me up again
What is a dream if it doesn't come true
I believe I'll find love but will it be with you
I never would have thought that such a pretty little face could
Offer me so much and take all that I had
Well I want it back
I let you get back under my skin
I let you break me down again
I let you get close, way too close
But I see through it
You gave me that smile and I gave in
And you knew that I would
Time and time again you pulled me in
Just to give me up, give me up again
I let you get back under my skin
I let you break me down again
I let you get close, way too close
But I see through it
You gave me that smile and I gave in
And you knew that I would
Time and time again you pulled me in
Just to give me up, give me up again
Time and time again you pulled me in
Just to give me up, give me up, give me up again
The lyrics of Jonny Lang's song "Give Me Up Again" tell a story of a relationship that has been unsteady from the start. The singer is trying to come to terms with the truth that he sees in his lover's eyes but chooses to ignore. He knows that he's wasting his time letting himself be deceived by her, but he can't help but be drawn in repeatedly. He's confused about his feelings for her- on the one hand, he's ready to move on from this toxic relationship, but on the other hand, he acknowledges that he could be powerless when faced with her charming smile.
The singer is frustrated with the situation and the inability of the other person to make up their mind about the relationship. He's stuck in a cycle of being pulled in and then given up again by her. He's questioning if the love that he believed in could ever come true, and if it does, would it be with her?
Overall, the song is about the struggle to let go of a relationship that is not working while still being pulled in by the charm of an influential partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Make up your mind, take me or leave me
You must decide whether you want me in your life or not
I'll be doing fine with or without you
I will be okay whether you stay or go
I'm wasting my time letting you deceive me
I am spending too much time allowing you to lie to me
The truth is in your eyes but I deny what I see
You are hiding the truth, and I am choosing to ignore the signs
Time and time again
This has happened repeatedly
I let you get back under my skin
I allowed you to get close to me again
I let you break me down again
I let you hurt me again
I let you get close, way too close
I let you get too close to my heart
But I see through it
I can see what you're really doing now
You gave me that smile and I gave in
I fell for your charming smile
And you knew that I would
You were aware that I would fall for it
What is a dream if it doesn't come true
A dream is not worth much if it doesn't become reality
I believe I'll find love but will it be with you
I have hope that I will find my true love but doubt that it will be you
I never would have thought that such a pretty little face could
I did not expect someone who looks as sweet as you to
Offer me so much and take all that I had
Take advantage of me and leave me with nothing
Well I want it back
I want back what you took from me
Just to give me up, give me up again
You keep leading me on just to break my heart again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARTI FREDERIKSEN, JOHNNY LANG
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.