An anchored mindset that has led this Texas country music rising star from a drifter’s adolescence to the jeopardous game of the rodeo circuit to the punishing toil of the Texas oil fields, and on into the fickle arms of the music business. Some might argue whether it is having nine consecutive #1 hit singles in Texas under his belt that has garnered him staying power, or that he is killing it in the social media world with over 2 million views on YouTube and over 3 million streams globally on Spotify. Maybe it’s his 3 venerated album releases, or maybe because he can not only bat a full house on a 200 plus dates a year touring average, but also rope in crowds on a first time performance in an unfamiliar town. While impressive, all those distinctions can come and go in the world of music. The reason for his staying power turns out to be quite a simple one. And that is because Josh Ward is country music blood to bone, and both Josh Ward and country music are simply not going to go away.
Josh spent 2017 heavily touring off the strength of his previous album “Holding Me Together.” All six radio singles hit the #1 spot on the Texas Regional Radio Chart and Ward quickly found himself going from opening act to the headlining spot in a matter of months. But in the midst of his growing popularity, he gladly bent the knee to fellow country music artist and comrade Cody Johnson who introduced Ward to his West Coast audiences. Getting the chance to be endorsed by Cody Johnson and perform at sold out shows in brand new markets is the kind of opportunity music artists chomp at the bit to have. When Ward and his band returned to those areas a few months later all by their lonesome, he simply could not have guessed at the reception he would encounter. “When we went back to the West Coast by ourselves, it was sold out shows. I was literally blown away.” It was at that very point while far away from his familiar stomping grounds in Texas with new fans slapping him on the back that Ward knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his music was catching on in a big way.
The culmination of his radio success and his victories out on the road can easily be attributed to the actual man behind the music. In life, sometimes a person gets dealt a lean hand and has to choose his family from strangers along the way, people who make a conscious choice to take you under their wing and help guide you through life. Ward considers himself a very lucky man despite some rough teenage years. The love and support of his extended family and his chosen family was the concrete foundation he built
his life on, and his fans are a big part of that. It’s why they are drawn to him through the speakers, because he is what he sings. It’s why they are drawn to him from the stage, because he’s an old friend who’s come back to visit. He’s the animated truth of all he stands for, a self-made family man who always has a welcome smile and an open spot in the family. To his loyal fans he feels he owes everything. “Words can’t describe the emotion that gets put into these runs and the work that we do. And these people pay their hard earned money to see it every night. Thank you. Every time I step on stage, you guys remind me that I have more than I deserve.” And so his brand new album, so aptly named, is Ward’s dedication to his growing family.
“More Than I Deserve” marks Ward’s fourth full length album release and it will greet the fans on May 4, 2018. With the philosophy of “don’t fix what isn’t broken,” Ward went right back into the Rosewood studios where he recorded all his previous releases and joined producer Greg Hunt once again behind the board to create the next dimension of Josh Ward country music. The new album is 11 tracks strong featuring the signature instrumentation from guys like John Carroll (Cory Morrow) on guitar, Nate Coon (Aaron Watson) on drums, Milo Deering (The Eagles) on acoustic guitar, steel, dobro, fiddle, viola and mandolin, and Terry McBride (McBride and The Ride) on backing vocals and also writer of three of the tracks. The album is classic Josh Ward style on every front with just a little more gusto and a little more miles on it. Full bodied and emotionally fragrant, every song jumps out kicking up the kind of country music nostalgia Ward is revered for. The first single “All About Lovin’” (written by Brice Long, Terry McBride and Chris Stapleton) tells you everything you need to know about this album, a sexy tonkafied driver of a song that guarantees you’ll be lacing up your dancing shoes by the time you hit the chorus. “Home Away From Home” is country piled on top of more country, and is, as the song says, “a two steppin’ juke box heaven.” While Ward has never been afraid to sing other people’s songs due to his belief that a good song simply needs to be heard, his own savvy for the art just so happens to be represented on three of the most powerful tracks. “A Cowboy Can” is the true grit of this album and is what Ward says best describes himself. “One More Shot Of Whiskey” is a sobering tale told with 90 proof conviction, and then there is “More Than I Deserved” ringing out with its vulnerable steel and head hanging resolve. “More Than I Deserve” is country music addiction in its purest form. Josh Ward did not reinvent the wheel here, but damn, it’s polished surface sure rides smooth.
Josh and his band will be seeing a lot more of the country this year hitting a lot of new places on his never ending tour. It’s still hard for him to believe he has come this far and he doesn’t take one mile of it for granted. “I never thought I would be rolling down the road with one of the hottest bands in Texas playing shows across the United States. I’m happy to be here.”
The Josh Ward band is Josh Ward (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Steve Cargill (bass), Justin Cogneato (drums), Woody Woodruff (lead guitar) and Glen Shankle (steel guitar).
Getaway
Josh Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, we'll fire up that ol′ pick up truck
And head south on the interstate
Got a bottle of shine and some cheap red wine
Hey baby, what do you say?
Hey baby, what do you say? Let's getaway
So we've been puttin′ this off for a long time
Hey life ain′t what it used to be
But I remember your hair across your back
Sleepy little town right across those tracks
Ridin' around in your ol′ red Trans Am
Yes Ma'am!
Hey baby, what do you say? Let′s getaway
Yeah, we'll fire up that Dodge pick up truck
And head south on the interstate
Got a bottle of shine and some cheap red wine
Hey baby, what do you say?
Hey baby, what do you say? Let′s getaway
Oh, get on it son
Well your daddy said, "Son you look like a man
But I've got this gun that makes a lonesome sound"
Hey baby, what do you say? Let's getaway
Well I remember your hair across your back
Sleepy little town right across those tracks
Ridin′ around in your ol′ red Trans Am
Hey baby, what do you say? Let's getaway
Yeah, we′ll fire up that Dodge pick up truck
And head south on the interstate
Got a bottle of shine and some cheap red wine
Hey baby, what do you say?
Hey baby, what do you say? Let's getaway
Hey baby, what do you say? Let′s getaway
The song "Getaway" by Josh Ward speaks about the desire to escape from the mundaneness of everyday life and hit the open road. The lyrics "Hey baby, what do you say? Let's getaway, Yeah, we'll fire up that ol′ pick up truck, And head south on the interstate, Got a bottle of shine and some cheap red wine" clearly depict the idea of wanting to leave everything behind and spend time together, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The song suggests that life gets in the way, and it's necessary to take a break from time to time. The lyric "So we've been puttin' this off for a long time, Gotta a couple of kids and a hill to climb, Hey life ain't what it used to be" suggests that the couple has been postponing their getaway due to various responsibilities. However, the desire to escape and explore the world outside is too strong to ignore.
In conclusion, "Getaway" by Josh Ward is an ode to the freedom of the open road and the desire to break away from the banality of everyday life with a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey baby, what do you say? Let's getaway
I want to take a break from reality and run away with you. Are you ready for an adventure?
Yeah, we'll fire up that ol′ pick up truck
And head south on the interstate
Got a bottle of shine and some cheap red wine
We'll escape in a rustic, charming way by driving down South in an old pickup truck while sipping homemade alcohol.
So we've been puttin′ this off for a long time
Gotta a couple of kids and a hill to climb
Hey life ain't what it used to be
We've postponed this escape for a while now due to our parental responsibilities and ongoing struggles with life's challenges.
But I remember your hair across your back
Sleepy little town right across those tracks
Ridin' around in your ol′ red Trans Am
I cherish the memories of us together as a young couple, enjoying ourselves in a small town, driving around in your old and beloved red Trans Am car.
Well your daddy said, "Son you look like a man
But I've got this gun that makes a lonesome sound"
Your father acknowledged your maturity but warned you about the dangers and potential loneliness of adulthood through a metaphorical reference to a gun.
Hey baby, what do you say? Let's getaway
I repeat my desire to escape with you affectionately and confidently. Will you join me on this journey?
Yeah, we'll fire up that Dodge pick up truck
And head south on the interstate
Got a bottle of shine and some cheap red wine
We'll have a different vehicle but the same spirit of spontaneity and thriftiness on our trip.
Hey baby, what do you say? Let's getaway
I reaffirm my enthusiastic proposal to go away and invite you to share my playful and carefree mood.
Writer(s): Joshua K. Ward, Daniel Thomas Trew Barton
Contributed by Allison M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.