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.
Not Right
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what little breath I breathe
Is near the end
See, I am the last of the wayfaring soldiers
And this hope that I′ve been holding
Is wearing thin
All he had on me was a story to tell
'Bout his own personal hell
From a ten-by-ten foot prison cell, he said
It′s not right to leave a dog for dead in the street
It's not right denying a wounded man his morphine
It's not right to pull the plug while the heart still beats
It′s not right, it′s not right
It's not right, it′s not right
Next sound I heard was the ground under me shaking
The earth it started breaking
All around us, hey, hey
Somewhere in a land far away, a little boy's crying
"That′s my momma and she's dying;
Can you save her?"
I know you might be asking, "Is this really my concern?"
As you watch the whole world turn
Its back as if it looked the other way
It′s not right to leave a dog for dead in the street
It's not right denying a wounded man his morphine
It's not right to pull the plug while the heart still beats
It′s not right, it′s not right
It's not right, it′s not right
It's all right to talk about it, but talk is cheap
When you could be the one who could meet the need
It′s not right to turn your head and pretend you don't see
It′s not right, it's not right
It's not right, it′s not right
Been sitting here thinking what the old man said to me
I was blind
But now I think I see
It′s not right to leave a dog for dead in the street
It's not right denying a wounded man his morphine
It′s not right to pull the plug while the heart still beats
It's not right, it′s not right
It's not right, it′s not right
It's all right to talk about it, but talk is cheap
When you could be the one who could meet the need
It's not right to turn your head and pretend you don′t see
It′s not right, it's not right
It′s not right, it's not right
Hey, hey
Oh, no
Haven′t we hurt enough people?
I wonder how we sleep at night sometimes
The first verse of Jonny Lang's "Not Right" describes a figure walking down a "dark and lonely street" struggling for breath as they near the end of their life. The character calls themselves "the last of the wayfaring soldiers" and their hope starts to dwindle. The song continues with Lang's storyteller addressing the listener, describing a friend in a ten-by-ten prison cell, who imparts a bit of wisdom that injustice, cruelty, and neglect are everywhere, from leaving a dog for dead in the street to denying a person their medication to pulling the plug on someone still living. The refrain, "It's not right, it's not right," rings out amidst a chaotic, apocalyptic scene and an anguished child's cry for help. The storyteller points out that even when things are at their worst, there's always hope for people to be compassionate, to do good, and not to look away; after all, the suffering of others should move us to action, not complacency.
"Not Right" advocates against complacency and apathy in a world that is full of cruelty and suffering. It exposes the heartbreaking impact of injustice and neglect on everyone who experiences it, emphasizing that nobody is immune to its impact. Lang's use of vivid imagery and poignant storytelling creates an emotional connection with the listener, pushing them to consider all the ways in which they might have turned a blind eye to the injustices around them.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk along on this dark and lonely street
The singer feels alone and hopeless as he walks down a dimly lit path.
And what little breath I breathe
Is near the end
The singer feels like he's running out of time and doesn't have much left to live for.
See, I am the last of the wayfaring soldiers
And this hope that I've been holding
Is wearing thin
The singer feels like he's fighting a losing battle and is close to giving up.
All he had on me was a story to tell
'Bout his own personal hell
From a ten-by-ten foot prison cell, he said
The singer is listening to someone's story about their difficult life experiences in prison.
It's not right to leave a dog for dead in the street
It's not right denying a wounded man his morphine
It's not right to pull the plug while the heart still beats
It's not right, it's not right
It's not right, it's not right
The singer believes that there are certain actions that are morally wrong and should be avoided at all costs.
Next sound I heard was the ground under me shaking
The earth it started breaking
All around us, hey, hey
The singer experiences a cataclysmic event that makes him feel even more helpless than before.
Somewhere in a land far away, a little boy's crying
'That's my momma and she's dying;
Can you save her?'
The singer is reminded of the pain and suffering that exists in the world, and he feels powerless to stop it.
It's all right to talk about it, but talk is cheap
When you could be the one who could meet the need
It's not right to turn your head and pretend you don't see
It's not right, it's not right
It's not right, it's not right
The singer believes that actions speak louder than words, and that people should take responsibility to help those in need rather than just talking about the problems.
Been sitting here thinking what the old man said to me
I was blind
But now I think I see
The singer reflects on the lessons he's learned from an older person, and comes to a realization about his own life.
Haven't we hurt enough people?
I wonder how we sleep at night sometimes
The singer questions why people continue to cause pain and suffering in the world, and wonders how they can live with themselves knowing the harm they've done.
Writer(s): Tommy Sims, Jonny Lang
Contributed by Aaliyah W. 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.