Early life
Whitley learned to play a guitar at a very young age, and became involved with a regional television show when he was eight years old. He and his friend, Ricky Skaggs, formed a bluegrass band, which landed both of them their first break in 1970, when they joined Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys. Whitley was singing lead for the band by 1974 at the age of 20.
In 1978, he joined J. D. Crowe and the New South as lead vocalist and guitarist. Critics were by then praising his vocals, and these reviews eventually caught the attention of RCA Records, who would sign him to a contract in 1984.
Solo years
Whitley's first solo album, ''A Hard Act to Follow,'' was released in 1984. However, the songs off of the album didn't get much airplay. Critics regarded the album as too erratic; while Whitley was working hard to achieve his own style, the songs he produced were inconsistent, and because of this, the follow up album would be more with pop sounds and a new producer as well who had been in the music buisness for sometime and had several hit records under his belt with other artists Blake Mevis.
L.A. to Miami, released in 1986. This album would give him his first Top 20 country hit single, "Miami, My Amy." The song was followed by three more hit songs, "Ten Feet Away," "Homecoming '63," and "Hard Livin." The album also had included "On The Other Hand" and "Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her." Both George Strait and Randy Travis waited to see if Whitley would release these two songs as singles; when he didn't, Strait grabbed "Nobody in his Right Mind Would've Left Her", and Travis did the same with "On the Other Hand." Both Strait and Travis scored big on both songs, landing both at number one on the country charts.
During his tour to promote ''L.A. to Miami'', he met and started dating Lorrie Morgan, a fellow country singer. The pair were married in November, 1986, and they had their only son, Jesse Keith Whitley, in 1987. Keith also adopted Lorrie's daughter Morgan from her first marriage.
During the new recording sessions in 1987, Whitley started feeling that the songs he was doing were not up to the way he wanted them,nal studio album, ''I Wonder Do You Think of Me''. The album was released three months after his death, on August 1, 1989. The album produced two more #1 hits, with the title track and "It Ain't Nothin'." "I'm Over You" also saw the top ten in the spring of 1990, reaching No. 3.
In 1990, a collection of Keith's greatest hits was released. It has gone on to sell more than three million copies over the years for RCA.
On the greatest hits collection was a demo record that Whitley made in 1987, called "Tell Lorrie I Love Her," and also a new song to which Lorrie Morgan added her vocals to and created a duet called "Til A Tear Becomes A Rose". The song rose to No. 13 and won them 1991's CMA award for Best Vocal Collaboration.
RCA also released a compilation of old performance clips (from his days in the Clinch Mountain Boys and the New South), interviews, and some previously unreleased material under the title "Kentucky Bluebird", a moniker that became Whitley's nickname. The CD has become a huge collector's item among fans over the years due to it being out of print.and is currently in production.
Almost twenty years after Keith's passing fans and fellow singers still wonder what would have happened if Keith had lived, some say Garth Brooks would have taken a back seat to Keith in the 1990's , Tim McGraw and many singers today still are influenced by the man who just wanted to be remembered.
In 2007, long time fan Kindall Wann will be launching an all Keith Whitley radio station on the internet site Live365.com, the station will contain every known public release of Keith's and also the live concerts, demos, and more that fans have has among them for years.
In the summer of 2007, Austin City Limits will be releasing like in past years, several DVDs of their concerts over the years, and Keith's "FULL" concert is one that will be released. The concert filmed is an hour long, but the television version is only 30 minutes long.
Keith's music video's and many rare performances have recently been showing up on the website YouTube.com, one of the performances is from Hee Haw in 1985, Keith singing "Miami, My Amy".
Would These Arms Be In Your Way
Keith Whitley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if you couldn't turn around without us touching, would you mind
You know there's something missing 'round your waist
Tell me would these arms be in your way
Would you mind another heart beating for you
Two ears that listen, you can talk to
Kisses filled with feeling on your face
Would you mind another heart beating for you
Two ears that listen, you can talk to
Kisses filled with feeling on your face
Darlin' tell me would these arms be in your way
Now tell me, would these arms be in your way
In Keith Whitley's song "Would These Arms Be In Your Way," the lyrics suggest a deep longing to be close to someone and to love them unconditionally. The lyrics ask questions that represent the fear of being rejected or pushed away by someone who does not reciprocate the same level of love. The singer asks whether expressing love and being close would bother the other person or be seen as an inconvenience to them.
The first verse asks whether hearing "I love you" all the time and constant physical touch would be too much for the other person. The second verse suggests that the singer will be there to listen and support the other person and that they will be filled with feelings of love and affection. However, the chorus asks whether these expressions of love would be too much for the other person and whether the singer's arms would be in the way of their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you like to hear I love you all the time
Would you appreciate consistent expressions of love from me?
And if you couldn't turn around without us touching, would you mind
If physical contact between us was frequent, would that make you uncomfortable?
You know there's something missing 'round your waist
There seems to be an empty space around your waist that I wish I could fill.
Tell me would these arms be in your way
If I were to wrap my arms around you, would it be a hindrance?
Would you mind another heart beating for you
Would you be open to the idea of me loving you deeply and wholeheartedly?
Two ears that listen, you can talk to
I will be there to listen calmly whenever you need to share your problems or feelings.
Kisses filled with feeling on your face
I want to shower you with physical affection and emotional tenderness, leaving you feeling loved and wanted.
Now tell me would these arms be in your way
Before I reach out to you, please let me know if my presence will bother you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HANK COCHRAN, RED LANE, VERN GOSDIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewsimpson1892
Would you like to hear I love you all the time
And if you couldn't turn around
Without us touching would you mind
You know there's something missing 'round your waist
Tell me would these arms be in your way
Would you mind another heart beating for you
Two ears that listen you could talk to
Kisses filled with feeling on your face
Tell me would these arms be in your way
Would you mind another heart beating for you
Two ears that listen you can talk to
Kisses filled with feeling on your face
Tell me would these arms be in your way
Now tell me would these arms be in your way
@Gratefulman1965
Damn I miss Keith,
His vocals and interpretation on this Vern Gosdin classic are just breathtaking! The guy could go from Bass to baritone to tenor vocally in the drop of a hat. Keith will always be remembered and never forgotten! Thanks for posting this. R.I.P. Kentucky Bluebird🎶
@NewHillbilly
A legend, a wonderful artist, and a true country singer! Thanks for your comment!
@sueaveyard9399
Such a soothing voice. Beautiful song
@mychaelpierce8049
Keith Whitley as a C&W singer is on the top shelf with the likes of Lefty Frizzell, George Jones & Merle Haggard. His versatility and vocal range is impressive! Lastly, like the other names mentioned he also sang with a lot of passion & soul.
@mikesmith1788
I loved this man. I could not believe the news about his death. Addiction doesn't discriminate,we have lost so many good people because of it. What a great talent he was,singer and song writer. Lorrie has been so strong ever since losing him. I wish I could have held her through it. Such a beautiful, talented lady. I really feel for her and her children. I am so happy that she was able to move on and find another to love and be loved.
They will be together again when her work on earth is done. Peace to you Lorrie and be safe sweet lady. Mike Smith from Charleston SC.
@debbielanclos2872
I too could not believe what the newscaster was saying. What a great loss🎶🕊️
@debbielanclos2872
There will never be another, Keith Whitley 🎶🕊️
@michaelvandyke6715
Alcohol robbed another soul! What an excellent singer!
@marythompson5458
KEITH SOUNDS SO LOVELY ON THIS SONG HE LEFT US TO SOON MISS HIM
@debbielanclos2872
Loved Every song that Keith Whitley sang. Gone way to soon 💙🎶🕊️