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.
Signs
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's trying hard to drink it away
And I feel the rumble of the subway
Beneath the stage
And her eyes are screaming
And her lips are pursed
And this ain't her first heartache
But it feels like, it feels like the worst
Can someone tell me how this can happen
And I guess that God only knows
My heart used to be
The sweet shop of love
But now the sign on the door
It says sorry we're closed
And I hear myself tell her
Some old words I know they won't help
And then I feel guilty
'Cause I closed some sweet shops myself
And we all talk about timing
And lifestyles and such
But to a heart that's been shattered
Those words don't mean that much
And all of our pining
It just goes to show
Don't you enter a shop
With the sign on the door
Saying sorry we're closed
And she's been through all the pain
That one can endure
And her new man thinks she loves him
But he can't be sure
And his heart pines for Wendy
She says that's how it goes
How am I supposed to know
He can't read the sign saying
Sorry we're closed
Yeah we're closed
And she says
Can someone tell me how this can happen
And I guess that God only knows
My heart used to be
The sweet shop of love
But there's a sign on the door
There's a sign on the door (3 x's)
One more sign...
In "Signs" by Jonny Lang, the lyrics tell the story of a woman named Wendy who is trying to drown her sorrows and heartbreak through drinking. The rumble of the subway beneath the stage symbolizes the constant movement and chaos of life, mirroring the turmoil within Wendy herself. Her eyes are filled with pain and her lips are pursed, indicating that she has experienced heartache before, but this one feels particularly intense.
Wendy questions how such heartbreak can occur, seeking an explanation for her suffering. The line "My heart used to be the sweet shop of love, but now the sign on the door says sorry we're closed" suggests that Wendy's heart was once open and full of love, but now it has closed off and become unavailable for more heartache. She feels abandoned and defeated by love.
The singer, who may have experienced similar pain, tries to console Wendy with empty words, knowing deep down that they won't truly help. The mention of feeling guilty because the singer has closed off sweet shops themselves implies that they have also shut themselves off from love, possibly hurting others in the process.
The lyrics emphasize the inability of words such as timing and lifestyle to heal a shattered heart. The heartache experienced by Wendy and the singer renders such words meaningless. The repeated line "Don't you enter a shop with the sign on the door saying sorry we're closed" serves as a metaphorical warning to avoid pursuing love or entering a relationship when one's heart is closed off.
The lyrics also hint at a new man in Wendy's life who believes she loves him, but he is unsure. Wendy's heart still longs for someone else, indicating that she may not have fully moved on. Her new relationship may be a result of her own attempts to cope with her heartbreak rather than genuine love.
Overall, "Signs" explores the complexities of heartbreak, the effect it has on one's ability to love, and the inability of external factors to truly mend a broken heart. The lyrics provide insight into the emotional journey of Wendy and serve as a cautionary tale for those who may find themselves in a similar situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Wendy's sittin' next to me
I am sitting next to Wendy, who is dealing with her emotions
She's trying hard to drink it away
Wendy is attempting to numb her pain through alcohol
And I feel the rumble of the subway beneath the stage
I sense the metaphorical movement and chaos beneath the surface of our lives
And her eyes are screaming
Her eyes reflect her intense emotional distress
And her lips are pursed
She is suppressing her emotions and holding back her words
And this ain't her first heartache
She has experienced heartbreak before
But it feels like, it feels like the worst
This current heartache feels particularly painful for her
And she says can someone tell me how this can happen
She seeks understanding and explanation for her current situation
And I guess that God only knows
I recognize that there are some things beyond our understanding, only known by a higher power
My heart used to be the sweet shop of love
My heart was once open and filled with love for others
But now the sign on the door says sorry we're closed
Now, my heart is guarded and closed off to love and connection
And I hear myself tell her some old words I know they won't help
I find myself saying clichéd phrases to Wendy, knowing deep down they won't provide the comfort she seeks
And then I feel guilty 'cause I closed some sweet shops myself
I experience guilt because I have also closed off my heart to others in the past
And we all talk about timing and lifestyles and such
We often discuss the factors that contribute to relationships, such as timing and compatibility
But to a heart that's been shattered, those words don't mean that much
To someone with a broken heart, such discussions and explanations feel insignificant
And all of our pining, it just goes to show
Our longing and yearning for love only proves
Don't you enter a shop with the sign on the door saying sorry we're closed
It's futile to seek love and connection from someone who is emotionally unavailable
And she's been through all the pain that one can endure
Wendy has experienced the maximum amount of pain one can handle
And her new man thinks she loves him, but he can't be sure
Her new partner believes she loves him, yet he is uncertain due to her emotional state
And his heart pines for Wendy, she says that's how it goes
Her new partner longs for her, but she dismisses it as a natural occurrence
How am I supposed to know, he can't read the sign saying sorry we're closed
I am unsure how to answer his question because he fails to understand her emotional unavailability
Yeah we're closed
Our hearts are closed off and unavailable for love
And she says can someone tell me how this can happen
Wendy continues to seek an explanation for her emotional state
And I guess that God only knows
I acknowledge that only a higher power holds the answer
My heart used to be the sweet shop of love
My heart was once a place full of love and compassion
But there's a sign on the door
Now, there is a clear indication of emotional unavailability
There's a sign on the door (3 x's)
The sign indicating emotional closure is repeated for emphasis
One more sign...
Yet another sign that represents emotional walls and closed hearts
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aaronspeet2537
I have always loved and enjoyed hearing this guy sing! No matter what a song is written for it can take on a whole other meaning given the times!
@TRONX777
I've been following Jonny ever since David Letterman had him on. And as a Christian Chaplain, I was so thrilled when he came out with his first Christian Album. I used to have a business in Houston, and I would play along on one of my Harmonicas as he would just thrash his guitar~~~
@trishadonohue
Thank God I was starting to think I'm the only Christian and I've been persecuted for what I believe in
@stephaniesteck1975
He makes some good praise music. Get on my holy rollin. Oh My Goodness. Keep it comin Jonny
@darylfresno1032
Bitter ends is good but this is AMAZING
@garychapman3473
Still aweome!
@rebeccamizell1071
I love johnny Lang trying to find out if he is playing a concert in Tampa or in florida
@joehaines1344
last i heard he was still unable to sing without damaging his voice
@robertdiggins7578
Where'd you find that awesome bass player? 😎
@sebastienruffet3057
Finally back to roots.... <3