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.
Second Guessing
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There you go again
Rushing off in all directions
Since I don't know when
All day long you're building walls
You're building walls all day
Putting ceilings on your feelings
When they should fly away
Don't you think it's time you quit it
Don't you think it's time you admit it
Your heart is more worthy of trust
Than the thoughts in your mind that sit there gathering dust
Everything you're looking for
You'll know when it's real
You'll know when you've found it
By the way you feel
Writing down your deepest emotions
With your pen in hand
Your piece of paper flew out the window
You watched it try and land
You felt bad as it flew out of sight
A part of your heart alone in the night
All of a sudden you didn't mind it
When you pictured that lonely stranger that would find it
Everything you're looking for
You'll know when it's real
You'll know when you've found it
By the way it makes you feel
In the song "Second Guessing," by Jonny Lang, the artist reflects on a person who struggles to trust their own instincts and emotions. They constantly rush off in different directions and build walls around their feelings, suppressing them instead of allowing them to blossom. The lyrics suggest that this person has been hurt in the past and is afraid of being vulnerable again.
The song's chorus is a call to action for the person to stop second-guessing themselves and start trusting their heart instead of their mind. It encourages them to be open to love and to recognize its true value when it manifests in their life. The lyrics suggest that love is not something that can be forced or found through an intellectual pursuit but is instead a feeling that is recognized through intuition and emotion.
Lang also reflects on the power of expressing oneself through writing, but the fear of vulnerability and the fear of rejection can prevent someone from fully sharing their emotions. The metaphor of the piece of paper slipping out of their hand and flying away represents the fear of losing control and surrendering to vulnerability. But at the same time, it also represents the hope that someone out there will find and understand their emotions and provide them with the love and understanding they need.
Overall, "Second Guessing" is a poignant and introspective song that highlights the importance of trusting your emotions and being open to love, even when it feels scary and vulnerable.
Line by Line Meaning
Second guessin' first impressions
Doubting your initial judgments about people or situations
There you go again
Repeating the same behavior or mistake
Rushing off in all directions
Acting impulsively without a clear direction or plan
Since I don't know when
For a long time, possibly without realizing it
All day long you're building walls
Closing yourself off emotionally from others
You're building walls all day
Continuously and actively putting up emotional barriers
Putting ceilings on your feelings
Limiting or repressing your emotions
When they should fly away
When your feelings should be expressed and released
Don't you think it's time you quit it
Is it not time to stop this behavior?
Don't you think it's time you admit it
Is it not time to acknowledge the truth?
Your heart is more worthy of trust
Your intuition and feelings are more reliable than your thoughts
Than the thoughts in your mind that sit there gathering dust
Than your stagnant, unhelpful thoughts
Everything you're looking for
All the things you seek
You'll know when it's real
You will feel it when it is genuine
You'll know when you've found it
You will be aware when you have discovered it
By the way you feel
Through your emotions and intuition
Writing down your deepest emotions
Recording your most profound feelings
With your pen in hand
Using a writing instrument
Your piece of paper flew out the window
Your recorded emotions were discarded or lost
You watched it try and land
You observed the paper falling
You felt bad as it flew out of sight
You experienced sadness when it disappeared
A part of your heart alone in the night
A portion of your feelings left unexpressed
All of a sudden you didn't mind it
Unexpectedly, you felt okay about the loss
When you pictured that lonely stranger that would find it
When you imagined someone else discovering it and empathizing with you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRUCE B. MCCABE, DAVID PKA DAVID Z RIVKIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
K Vandesjpen
Second guessin' first impressions
There you go again
Rushing off in all directions
Since I don't know when
All day long you're building walls
You're building walls all day
Putting ceilings on your feelings
When they should fly away
Don't you think it's time you quit it
Don't you think it's time you admit it
Your heart is more worthy of trust
Than the thoughts in your mind that sit there gathering dust
Everything you're looking for
You'll know when it's real
You'll know when you've found it
By the way you feel
Writing down your deepest emotions
With your pen in hand
Your piece of paper flew out the window
You watched it try and land
You felt bad as it flew out of sight
A part of your heart alone in the night
All of a sudden you didn't mind it
When you pictured that lonely stranger that would find it
Everything you're looking for
You'll know when it's real
You'll know when you've found it
By the way you feel
Gabrielle j
So much soul!!! I absolutely love it!
Joe M. Lemos Jr.
Back in 1998, I drove from Vegas to St George, Utah. Found this CD in Utah and blasted it continuously in my new Jaguar with the sunroof open, what a thrill! Man, I truly love his music!
Ty Bell
One of my favorites... seen this kid 3 times in concert. Can`t wait to see him again. He put`s all his heart and soul into every song he sings.(excellent guitar player as well,...unique style all his own) Sounds like a big black man singing the blues ... then you see this skinny barefoot white boy on stage. Love the two guitars synching up for the intro on this one... well written tune sweet as it gets. If you haven`t seen Johnny Lang live GO. You won`t be let down and you`ll be back for more.
monamakesmoney
This young man is tearing up the stage, he is unique and is diverse with style and and really puts out great music with lots of enthusiastic and soul!! With a mouth like Jager and a voice as big as Whitney Houston, he will impress anyone
Heather Langi
Played this song everyday since I first heard it..just love it.
Penelope Wesbrook
I seen Jonny in concert over 20 years ago and have been in love with his voice ever since...
Joe M. Lemos Jr.
Man, sure do love this song & my neighbors have no choice but to like it too.
thomas kunze
I love his lyrics
Mustang Sally
Just discovered Jonny Lang. Absolutely love his songs and voice!
Steve Evans
@JD Spears Hey. I think you might have the wrong guy. Jonny lang was born in early 80's . Interested to know who you saw though.