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.
Mustang Sally
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guess you better slow
Your Mustang down
Mustang Sally, now baby
Guess you better slow
Your Mustang down
You been runnin' all over town
Oh, I guess I have to put your flat feet
Sing it to me one more time girls!
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
(Ride Sally, ride)
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
(Ride Sally, ride)
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
(Ride Sally ride) hu'h
All you wanna do is a ride around Sally
(Ride Sally ride)
Well, listen
One of these early mornins', yeah
Woow!
Gonna be wipin' yo weepin' eyes
Alright!
I bought you a brand new Mustang
It was a nineteen sixty-five, h'uh!
Now you come around
Signifyin', now woman
Girl You won't, you won't
Let me ride
Mustang Sally now baby
(Sally my baby)
Guess you better slow
Your Mustang down
You been runnin' all over town
Oh, I guess I have to put your flat feet
On the ground
Oh better put your flat feet
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
(Ride Sally, ride)
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
(Ride Sally, ride)
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
(Ride Sally ride) hu'h
All you wanna do is a ride around Sally
(Ride Sally ride)
One of these early mornins', yeah
Woow!
Gonna be wipin' yo weepin' eyes
Alright!
Those weeping eyes...
The lyrics of Jonny Lang's song Mustang Sally are directed towards a woman who has been driving her Mustang all over town, with the singer urging her to slow down and put her "flat feet on the ground." The song tells of the singer's frustration with his lover's reckless behavior and his desire to bring her down to earth. He says that despite the car's allure and the woman's desire to ride around in it, he intends to win her back and make her see reason.
The repetition of the phrase "all you wanna do is ride around Sally" reinforces the focus of the song on the woman's preoccupation with pleasure and lack of responsibility. The chorus is catchy and fun with the backup singers urging Sally to ride on. However, the singer is ultimately trying to reclaim his girl, and the bridge of the song speaks to his determination to have her back. When he sings "One of these early mornins', yeah; Gonna be wipin' yo weepin' eyes," it is clear that he wants her to see the error of her ways and come back to him.
Overall, Jonny Lang's Mustang Sally is a classic blues song with an upbeat tempo and a humorous yet serious message. The song juxtaposes light-hearted verses and catchy choruses with lyrics that speak to a deeper frustration and a desire to make things right. The repetition of the chorus creates a catchy tune that sticks in the head, and the emotional sincerity of the bridge shows a glimpse into the singer's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Mustang Sally
Addressing the girl named Sally, who drives a Mustang car
Guess you better slow
Your Mustang down
Suggesting Sally to drive slow and carefully while controlling her Mustang car
You been runnin' all over town
Oh, I guess I have to put your flat feet
On the ground
Noticing that Sally has been driving recklessly all around the town, warning her to get back to reality
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
(Ride Sally, ride)
Pointing out that Sally is always driving around in her Mustang car
Well, listen
One of these early mornins', yeah
Woow!
Gonna be wipin' yo weepin' eyes
Alright!
Warns Sally that one day, in the early morning, she will cry and regret her actions
I bought you a brand new Mustang
It was a nineteen sixty-five, h'uh!
Now you come around
Signifyin', now woman
Girl You won't, you won't
Let me ride
Reminds Sally of the Mustang car he bought for her, expressing disappointment that she won't let him drive it anymore
Mustang Sally now baby
(Sally my baby)
Guess you better slow
Your Mustang down
You been runnin' all over town
Oh, I guess I have to put your flat feet
On the ground
Oh better put your flat feet
Reiterating the need for Sally to drive carefully and control her car before she causes harm
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
(Ride Sally, ride)
Repeating that Sally's only goal seems to be driving her Mustang all over the town
One of these early mornins', yeah
Woow!
Gonna be wipin' yo weepin' eyes
Alright!
Reaffirming the warning to Sally that she will eventually regret her reckless driving
Contributed by Anna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.