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.
The Truth
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love the way you smile
Every breath that I breathe
Like I breath you into me
I can't escape
You are the drug I need
Hopelessly chained
and I cannot be released
I'm a prisoner here
baby I don't want to leave
None of this is really real,
I know it's all make believe
[Chorus:]
But I don't want to know the truth,
I'd rather just believe the lie
Tell me this is who we are,
even if it's just a lie
Don't tell me when the morning comes
You can keep the secret if you try,
if you ever loved me baby,
then keep it for the rest of your life,
cause I don't want to know the truth
I take the stage
but I don't want to be there
when you pulling the strings
make them dance, make them sing
So long with the show
Yeah we know how the story ends
The curtain goes up oooh
I took the stage and I'll pretend
That this ain't my life
and this ain't by heart
and you're not the one tearing it apart
[Chorus]
Can we make a vow
We'll never confess
Could never get out
Be better if we let it rain
[Chorus]
In Jonny Lang's song "The Truth," the lyrics revolve around a toxic relationship that the singer is aware of but cannot bring himself to leave. The first verse begins with Lang expressing his attraction towards his partner even though he acknowledges that they are a "disease." He then talks about being hopelessly chained to this person, feeling like a prisoner but not wanting to leave. For him, this is all make-believe, but he cannot help himself from being caught up in the illusion. The chorus is an admittance of his preferred reality where he would rather believe in the lies his partner tells him than face the harsh truth. The second verse gives an insight into the world of a celebrity where the singer feels like he is pretending on stage, and his partner is pulling his strings. The song concludes with a plea to his partner to keep their love a secret for the rest of their lives.
The lyrics to "The Truth" is a poignant commentary on the human condition. It speaks to the idea of how people often know the truth about a situation, but they still continue to believe in lies because it is more comfortable to do so. Here, the singer knows that his relationship is bad for him, but he still chooses to believe in his partner's lies because leaving would be too painful. The song also highlights the dangers of toxic relationships, where the partner has control over the other person's life, and they are unable to break free. The lyrics are backed by upbeat instrumentals that work in contrast to the gravity of the song, accentuating the bubbly exterior of a troubled relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a disease
Although the object of the singer's affection is a destructive force in his life, he cannot help but be drawn to them.
I love the way you smile
Despite the problems caused by the person, the singer is still in love with them, even enamored by something as simple as their smile.
Every breath that I breathe
The person is so deeply ingrained in the singer's life that they are like air to him, impossible to live without.
Like I breath you into me
The person has become such a part of the singer's existence that they feel like they are inhaling them with every breath they take.
I can't escape
Despite recognizing that this person is dangerous to him, the singer is unable to break free from their grasp.
You are the drug I need
The object of affection is a source of addiction for the singer, and he cannot stop seeking them out.
Hopelessly chained
The singer is shackled to the person he loves, unable to escape even if he wanted to.
and I cannot be released
The attachment to this individual is so strong that the singer feels there is no way he could ever let them go.
I'm a prisoner here
Because of his love for the object of his affection, the singer is trapped in a place where he may not want to be.
baby I don't want to leave
Despite the difficulties of his situation, the singer is still deeply committed to this person and wants to stay with them at all costs.
None of this is really real,
The singer may be living in a state of denial, unable or unwilling to accept the reality of the situation.
I know it's all make believe
Although the singer is aware that his situation is not ideal, he is choosing to create a fantasy world in which everything is perfect.
But I don't want to know the truth,
Despite any misgivings he may have, the singer does not want to deal with the harsh realities of his situation.
I'd rather just believe the lie
The singer is more comfortable living in a fantasy world than dealing with the difficult truths he would have to face if he accepted reality.
Tell me this is who we are,
The singer is begging his love interest to keep up the fantasy, to help him live in a world where everything is perfect, if only for a moment.
even if it's just a lie
At this point, the singer is willing to hold on to anything that will help him avoid the harsh realities of his situation.
Don't tell me when the morning comes
The singer wants to avoid any conversations or realizations that would cause him to face the reality of his situation.
You can keep the secret if you try,
The singer is asking his love interest to keep their delusion alive, and not reveal the harsh truths of their lives together.
if you ever loved me baby,
In a desperate attempt to hold on to the fantasy, the singer is playing on his love interest's emotional attachment to him.
then keep it for the rest of your life,
The singer is asking for a lifelong commitment to keep up a charade, in the hopes of avoiding harsh truths.
cause I don't want to know the truth
In the end, the singer is willing to do anything to avoid confronting the painful reality of his situation, living and loving in the fantasy world he has created.
I take the stage
The singer is assuming a false identity or persona, in order to avoid confronting the painful truths in his life.
but I don't want to be there
Despite the effort to live in a world of make-believe, the singer is still not comfortable living in the reality of his situation.
when you pulling the strings
The singer is being manipulated by whatever person or situation he is avoiding.
make them dance, make them sing
The person or situation is in control, and the singer is merely a puppet under their control.
So long with the show
The charade must go on, but the singer is weary and tired of playing his part.
Yeah we know how the story ends
Despite the hopes and dreams of the singer or the person he loves, the outcome of their relationship is clear and perhaps painful.
The curtain goes up oooh
The fantasy begins anew, and the singer tries again to avoid the truths that may hurt him.
I took the stage and I'll pretend
The singer is pretending once again, assuming a false persona in order to avoid reality.
That this ain't my life
The singer is trying to deny the life he is actually living, choosing instead to live in a world of make-believe.
and this ain't by heart
The singer is trying to distance himself from the love he feels, as it is painful to confront.
and you're not the one tearing it apart
Despite the singer's attempts to avoid reality, he is still aware of the painful reality of his situation and who is causing it.
Can we make a vow
The singer wants to make a commitment to continue living in the fantasy world he has created, rather than confront harsh truths.
We'll never confess
The vow is one of secrecy, a promise to keep alive the illusion of perfection.
Could never get out
The singer feels trapped in his current situation, and is trying desperately to avoid confronting it.
Be better if we let it rain
The singer hopes that the rain is a metaphor for washing away the harsh truths, so that they will no longer have to be confronted.
Contributed by Addison N. 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.