Josh Abbott founded the band in 2006 in Lubbock, Texas while attending Texas Tech University, where he was a member of the Texas Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta. He founded the band while in grad school with fraternity brothers Austin Davis, Neel Huey, and Andrew Hurt. The band recorded a 4-song demo including "Taste" in 2007 along with fiddler Preston Wait and began touring in 2008. Huey and Hurt dropped out to pursue careers while Preston Wait and Eddie Villanueva officially joined. The band then recorded their debut album "Scapegoat" in 2008 as well. Caleb Keeter and James Hertless joined in 2010, with Hertless eventually departing in 2018.
The sophomore album, She's Like Texas, followed in 2010 and entered the Top Country Albums chart. Michael Berick of Allmusic rated it 4 stars out of 5, comparing it to Steve Earle and saying that Abbott's songwriting showed "maturity". They had their first sell-out crowd at "Billy Bobs Texas" in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards on February 10, 2010, selling 6,000 tickets.
"She's Like Texas" includes the single "Oh, Tonight", which entered the Country Songs chart in early 2011 at #59 and peaked at #44. The song is a duet with Kacey Musgraves, the Nashville Star Season 5 finalist and Universal Music recording artist.
The band's third CD, Small Town Family Dream, was released on April 24, 2012. It was their highest charting album, debuting at #5 on Top Country Albums, selling 21,000 copies in the US in its first week. The second single, "Touch", was released in early February and was made available digitally on February 14. Its music video includes the reality TV star Melissa Rycroft and her husband Tye Strickland, another of Abbott's fraternity brothers. The single was featured in the motion picture The Longest Ride, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.
In August 2015, the band announced their fourth studio album, titled Front Row Seat, a concept album detailing Abbott's relationship and failed marriage. The first single off of the album, "Amnesia", was released in August 2015 with SiriusXM The Highway premiering the lyric video for the single. "Front Row Seat" was released everywhere on November 6, 2015, and debuted on the Top Country Albums chart at #9, selling 12,800 copies in its first week.
Josh Abbott Band's single "Wasn't That Drunk", featuring Carly Pearce, was released to radio on March 21, 2016. The second single from Front Row Seat, "Wasn't That Drunk", garnered attention from a national radio and media audience. The band made their national television debut with the single on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on May 31, 2016 and performed "Amnesia" on CONAN on January 18, 2017.
On August 18, 2017 Josh Abbott Band released their 5th studio album titled "Until My Voice Goes Out" which included a string and horn section. The string and horn section were also incorporated on the national "Until My Voice Goes Out" tour. "Until My Voice Goes Out is an eclectic album built from Abbott’s life experiences ranging from the birth of his daughter to the sudden and heartbreaking death of his father one month into the album-making process, all weaved together with striking strings and horns."
The band performed at the 2017 Route 91 Harvest, the scene of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
If You
Josh Abbott Band Lyrics
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Let it down, let it down, let it down
Tap your toes in the wind through the window
Keeping time with the radio
If it makes you feel good, use my lap as a pillow
Go on, go on, go on
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Don't start stopping cause it feels so right
There's a sweet kiss falling off the edge of your lips
Hot as any summer night's ever gonna get
Go on, go on, go on if it makes you feel good
You know I like it when you dance slow
Slow as we can go
Steaming up the windows
Dancing in the dashboard glow
Do what you wanna do, girl
You got the key to my world
So go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Oh, oh, oh
You got the moonlight rocking in your eyes tonight
Oh, oh, oh
Don't start stopping cause it feels so right
There's a sweet kiss falling off the edge of your lips
Hot as any summer night's ever gonna get
Go on, go on, go on if it makes you feel good
Oh, oh, oh
You got the moonlight rocking in your eyes tonight
Oh, oh, oh
Don't start stopping cause it feels so right
There's a sweet kiss falling off the edge of your lips
Hot as any summer night's ever gonna get
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
If it makes you feel good
If it makes you feel good
It's all about you, baby, tonight
I'm game for anything that crosses your mind
It's all about you, baby, tonight
I'm game for anything that crosses your mind
The Josh Abbott Band’s song “If You” is a romantic ode to letting go and embracing the moment with someone you care about. The song begins with the singer expressing his fondness for his love interest’s hair, suggesting that she let it down, and coaxing her to tap her toes along with the radio, implying that he is happy to be sharing space with her. He encourages her to use his lap as a pillow to relax and enjoy the moment. The singer then describes the sensuality of their connection, comparing the “sweet kiss” that they share to a summer night. He encourages her to keep going and doing what feels good, promising that he is “game for anything that crosses [her] mind.” The song ends with the repeated refrain that the moment is “all about [her] baby tonight.”
At its core, “If You” is a simple, straightforward song about being fully present with someone you care about. The lyrics are playful and romantic, with the song’s narrator insisting that the moment is entirely about making his partner feel good. The song is anchored by a catchy country sound that combines twangy guitars, steady drums, and upbeat rhythms. The song’s vibe is energetic and fun, making it a perfect anthem for a flirty, carefree date night. Overall, “If You” is an ode to celebrating the present and enjoying life’s simple pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, you know I like your hair down
I appreciate it when your hair is not tied up
Let it down, let it down, let it down
Unleash your hair and let it flow without inhibition
Tap your toes in the wind through the window
Playfully wiggle your toes while enjoying the breeze blowing in through the window
Keeping time with the radio
Move your body to the beat of the music on the radio
If it makes you feel good, use my lap as a pillow
If it brings you comfort and pleasure, you can rest your head on my lap
Go on, go on, go on
Don't be shy, continue doing what you're doing
You got the moonlight rocking in your eyes tonight
The moonlight is reflecting in your eyes and it's mesmerizing
Don't start stopping cause it feels so right
Don't stop what you're doing because it feels so good
There's a sweet kiss falling off the edge of your lips
A tender and passionate kiss is waiting to be shared with your lips
Hot as any summer night's ever gonna get
It's as steamy and passionate as any summer night can be
You know I like it when you dance slow
I find it attractive when you dance slowly
Slow as we can go
Let's take it really slow
Steaming up the windows
Our bodies heat up the space and cause the windows to fog up
Dancing in the dashboard glow
We're dancing in the car with the dashboard lights glowing
Do what you wanna do, girl
You have the freedom to do whatever you desire
You got the key to my world
You have the power to unlock my world and explore it with me
Oh, oh, oh
An expression of excitement and pleasure
If it makes you feel good
If it brings you joy and pleasure
It's all about you, baby, tonight
This moment is all about you and your desires
I'm game for anything that crosses your mind
I'm open to anything that you want to explore tonight
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAY CLEMENTI, RADNEY M. FOSTER, CHASE YAKLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind