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.
Save Yourself
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody knows it but you
Never a problem here on the outside
You're good at disguising the truth
After you wake up out of the nightmare
How do you cast out the fear inside
Reaching out for someone's hand
Come with me if you want to save yourself
Where is the good life you always dreamed of
Where is the faith you once had
Sooner than later hope will be useless
Pushing you back where you began
All alone there you stand
Won't you let me take your hand
Come with me if you want to save yourself
DOn't let the past haunt your mind
You should leave it all behind
Come with me if you want to save yourself
There's something in the way
It's gotten into you
You've learned to love the chains
Through the needle's eye can you escape
All alone there you stand
Won't you let me take your hand
Come with me if you want to save yourself
Trust your heart not your mind
Cause you're running out of time
Come with me if you want to save yourself
The lyrics of Jonny Lang's "Save Yourself" tell the story of someone who is hiding a secret and struggling with fear and anxiety. The first verse sets the tone for the song as we become aware of the singer's secret that "nobody knows." There is a sense of shame and burden as the person must constantly conceal their true feelings or actions. Despite this inner struggle, the singer is adept at putting up a façade and disguising the truth. The second verse highlights the person's desperation and desire to break free from the constraints of their fear and anxiety. They know that they need to "cast out the fear inside" and seek salvation from their inner turmoil.
The chorus of the song offers the singer a way out of their situation. The lyric "Come with me if you want to save yourself" is a call to action for the person to break free from their chains and seek help. The third verse emphasizes the loss of faith and hope that is common when dealing with anxiety and fear. The person is stuck in a cycle of despair and as the chorus repeats, there is a sense of urgency to take action before it's too late. The final verse emphasizes the need to trust one's heart over their mind, as the mind often tricks us into staying trapped in patterns of negative thought.
Overall, "Save Yourself" offers a powerful message of hope and encouragement to those who are struggling with anxiety and fear. It reminds us that we don't have to deal with our problems alone and that there is always help available if we seek it.
Line by Line Meaning
You got a secret under the table
You are hiding something from everyone else.
Nobody knows it but you
Only you are aware of the secret.
Never a problem here on the outside
Externally, you seem to be doing just fine.
You're good at disguising the truth
You are an expert at keeping your secret hidden.
After you wake up out of the nightmare
When you finally realize the gravity of the situation.
How do you cast out the fear inside
How do you overcome the fear that grips you?
Where is the good life you always dreamed of
The life you've always hoped for seems out of reach.
Where is the faith you once had
You have lost your confidence and belief in yourself.
Sooner than later hope will be useless
If you don't act soon, hope will become pointless.
Pushing you back where you began
You are in danger of regressing to your old ways.
Won't you let me take your hand
Will you allow me to help you?
Don't let the past haunt your mind
Don't let the memories of the past continue to bother you.
You should leave it all behind
You need to move on from your past.
Trust your heart not your mind
Use your emotions instead of your intellect to guide you.
Cause you're running out of time
The clock is ticking, and you need to act fast.
There's something in the way
Something is impeding your progress.
It's gotten into you
You have allowed this obstacle to have power over you.
You've learned to love the chains
You are accustomed to your limitations and are afraid of breaking free.
Through the needle's eye can you escape
The way out is narrow and challenging, but it is possible.
Come with me if you want to save yourself
I can help you save yourself if you follow me.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JONNY LANG, MARTIN FREDERIKSEN
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.