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.
Wanderin' This World
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sweats runnin' down from my hair
I walked 20 miles and I'm dragging my feet
And I'll walk 20 more I don't care
And I'll wander this world, wander this world
Wander this world, wander this world all alone
Others drive by and stare
A shadow that drifts by the side of the road
It's like I'm not even there
And I'll wander this world, wander this world
Wander this world, wander this world all alone
Well I've never been part of the game
The life that I live is my own
All that I know is that I was born
To wander this world all alone, all alone
Some people are born with their lives all laid out
And all their success is assured
Some people work hard all their lives for nothin'
They take it and don't say a word
They don't say a word
Sometimes it's like I don't even exist
Even God has lost track of my soul
Why else would he leave me out here like this
To wander this world all alone
And I'll wander this world, wander this world
Wander this world, wander this world all alone
The song Wanderin' This World by Jonny Lang is about a wanderer who has been walking for miles in the scorching heat. He wanders aimlessly, all alone and unnoticed by others. The lyrics capture the essence of loneliness, despair, and uncertainty that comes with living a transient life. The singer seems to be struggling to find a place in this world, or even have a sense of purpose, and is questioning whether he will ever find it.
The opening lines are about the physical exhaustion the singer feels from walking. He talks about the tar in the street melting from the heat, and the sweat running down his hair. The repetition of the phrase "And I'll wander this world, wander this world" in the chorus highlights the sense of aimlessness and uncertainty the singer is experiencing. He feels like a ghost, invisible to some people but watched by others. He is like a shadow that drifts by the side of the road, unseen and ignored by most. The verse "Well I've never been part of the game, the life that I live is my own, all that I know is that I was born to wander this world all alone, all alone" suggests that the singer has never really fit in with society and that he feels destined to continue wandering alone.
The song portrays a sense of isolation and hopelessness, highlighting the struggles of those who live transitory lives. It speaks to the human condition of searching for meaning and belonging, and the loneliness that can come with feeling like you don't fit in. The singer is questioning his place in the world and whether he will ever find peace and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
The tar in the street starts to melt from the heat
The road is so hot that the tar on the street is melting.
And the sweats runnin' down from my hair
The heat is causing me to sweat profusely.
I walked 20 miles and I'm dragging my feet
I've walked a long way and I'm exhausted.
And I'll walk 20 more I don't care
I'll keep walking even if it's difficult.
And I'll wander this world, wander this world
I'll continue to travel and explore this world.
Wander this world, wander this world all alone
I will do it all by myself, without any companionship.
I'm like a ghost some people can't see
In some situations, people do not acknowledge my presence.
Others drive by and stare
In some situations, people stare at me as if I were strange or peculiar.
A shadow that drifts by the side of the road
I feel like a shadow, barely noticeable and easily ignored.
It's like I'm not even there
In many situations, I am ignored or treated as if I am not present.
Well I've never been part of the game
I have never fit in with society's expectations and norms.
The life that I live is my own
I live my life on my own terms.
All that I know is that I was born
I don't know much except that I was brought into this world.
To wander this world all alone, all alone
To roam the world by myself, without any company around.
Some people are born with their lives all laid out
Some people seem to have everything figured out for them since birth.
And all their success is assured
They are already ensured of success in life.
Some people work hard all their lives for nothin'
There are people who work hard in their lives, but end up with nothing to show for it.
They take it and don't say a word
They accept their lot in life and do not complain.
Sometimes it's like I don't even exist
There are times when it feels like I do not matter or exist at all.
Even God has lost track of my soul
It feels like nobody, not even God is paying attention to me.
Why else would he leave me out here like this
This thought is causing me to wonder why God would inflict this kind of loneliness on me.
To wander this world all alone
Despite all of the thoughts and feelings, I still choose to continue experiencing and roaming this world all by myself.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRUCE B. MCCABE, PAUL DIETHELM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
THIS IS #MAGA COUNTRY
1) While my Guitar Gently weeps ( Tom Petty/Prince version)
2) Achilles Last Stand (Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page's fav song to play live)
3) Stairway to Heaven (Heart/Jason Bonham version)
4) Last in Line (Ronnie James Dio)
5) Riviera Paradise (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
6) Passage To Bangkok (RUSH)
7) LoveDrive (Scorpions)
8) Get Up, Stand Up (Bob Marley)
9) Breathe (Pink Floyd)
10) My Name is Human ( Highly Suspect)
RaVen DaWn
Maybe sometimes as Ian Anderson once alluded that the best of these will be left in echos. I know I have seen so many who will never be on any venue. As the Holmes Brothers sing it, now "Everything Is Free". So we do it coz we have to let it all out- like having wild tigers clawing at our insides trying to get back to this primal surreal jungle. I offer here a tale so true, yet only in code, and often so blue, so blinding blue..
โฆby RaVen DaWn, otherwise... just something I heard this in the savage winds. Smooth sailing. Hah! Destiny has bad odds for me, yet fortune favors the bold, and I truly am inspired by Jonny, this was transcribed at a paid event. I like to share. I do often get paid, I really don't care, life is like a crusade, a prominade, perhaps my wedding ring, from a hand grenade, I am just a twister lost in time.
"Dynamite To Light Your Candles"
Awake, aware and home at last!
3 days up and blasting past.
Out my cage and break my chains.
Give the sages my remains.
Canโt stop yet, and got to move it,
coming slow, you know you love itโฆ
Every next day I stay awake,
close the distance I must make.
Iโm here alone so send the dronesโฆ
call me on long distance saxophone.
Says sleep is urgent now I must be ready,
Nah, says I, Iโm rockinโ steadyโฆ
4 days up, eyes glazed and red.
Typhoon winds of fear and dread,
Blows so fast, this laughter in my head.
Tie me to the mast, or weโre all dead!
5 days awake and blasting past;
Got no worries, move me fast!
Out my cage and break my chains.
Give the sages my remains.
Canโt stop me yet, gotta move it;
coming slow and gotta love it.
Got no treason, got no reason;
just a longshot of the season.
Rebelle jusqu aโ la fin!!!
Hmmm, all this fun now hug your kittens.
Be back soon with oven mittens;
Iโm sizzlinโ hot and hard to handle.
Dynamite to light your candles.
~tentatio mortis honore~
by RaVen DaWn, transcribed by Chrissy the Amazon.
Starr
Love Jonny's music... We may walk through the crowds of Humanity unnoticed and or alone but in spirit we never truly are alone... Our Father and his Infinite Love always walks beside us... Always ๐๐ซ๐
Desireรฉ Arrington
Been listening to Jonny since I was 4! Love him still to this day, my dad was one of his biggest fans I remember going to the Co-Op to get this CD when it came out. RIP Dad and its on my bucket list to see him live!
Panna Chawangkul
Saw him in concert-TWICE! Worth the trips and the money. He's incredibly soulful.
stratocaster1greg
Sorry bout your Pops. He knew great music. God Bless.
JWmson
Iโve seen him 5 times, 3 at the HOB in N.O. at the stage, standing room only. The second show we saw was his acoustic tour and he is just unbelievable! R.I.P. Dad. Great taste in music. โฅ๏ธ
JWmson
Iโve seen him 5 times, 3 at the HOB in N.O. at the stage, standing room only. The second show we saw was his acoustic tour and he is just unbelievable! R.I.P. Dad. Great taste in music. โฅ๏ธ
Mateo Torgy
This is Lang's best song. Those into electric blues might want to check out the music of the song's writers (and Lang band members), Paul Diethelm and Bruce McCabe. For Diethelm, the bands Slip Twister and the Fabulous Armadillos, and for McCabe, Lamont Cranston and the Hoopsnakes.
Brenda Brown
I have loved Jonny since he was 14 years old. He was absolutely awesome then and still isโฅ๏ธ๐ธโฅ๏ธ
ckelley63
Just dosen't get much better than this!! Love you Johnny man!!
Geoff Forgie
Saw him in concert decades ago. He was fantastic!!!!