Using his own contacts in the record business, Shepherd's father and manager, Ken Shepherd, helped his son land a major-label record deal with Giant Records. In 1995, his debut album was entitled Ledbetter Heights and featured original material and a few covers.
He recently converted to Catholicism and overcame an addiction problem, and that's become a theme of his current work. He is married to Hannah Gibson, daughter of Actor Mel Gibson.
Discography:
1995 - Ledbetter Heights
1997 - Trouble Is...
1999 - Live On
2004 - The Place You're In
2007 - 10 Days out...Blues from the Backroads
2011 - How I Go
Last Goodbye
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Lyrics
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Busted walls and barbed wire cage
Tried to hold me down
Time was just a fist of change
Tossed in the water just incase
You ever came around
I could lose myself
But I've lost the will to even try
If you ever doubt listen to the sound
No lies
No, no, no
This is my last goodbye
Pardon me if I appear
To see beyond the now and here
To try and save myself
I'm not the kind of them to blame
I'm not the kind to pin the blame...
But I can take more of the same
But I can't take more of the same...
Livin' on your shelf
I could lose myself
I could curse like hell
But I've lost the will to even try
If you ever doubt listen to the sound
No lies
No, no, no
This is my last goodbye
Door closes
Another one opens
I feel the cold wind blowing
Over me
Long gone
But not forgotten
I might be lost
I might be finally free
I'm finally free
Long before your rusted chains
Busted walls and barbed wire cage
Tried to hold me down
Time was just a fist of change
Tossed in the water just incase
You ever came around
I could lose myself
I could curse like hell
But I've lose the will to even try
If you ever doubt
Listen to the sound
No lies
No, no, no
This is my last goodbye
This is my last goodbye
Yes, it is
Yes, it is
The lyrics of Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band's "Last Goodbye" reflect the emotions of someone who's been caged and limited by someone or something else's control. The imagery used in the lyrics is potent and vivid, using rusted chains, busted walls, and barbed wire cage to depict the limiting forces that once held the singer down. However, despite these hurdles, the singer has come out stronger, having let go of the desire to curse and lose themselves. They've "lost the will to even try" and accepted the reality of the situation, knowing that this is their final goodbye.
The singer reflects on their situation and acknowledges that they need to save themselves. They claim that they're not the type to blame others for their situation, but they refuse to live on someone else's shelf anymore. They're done with the same old things that have been holding them back, and they're ready to move on. The singer seems to have found peace and closure, and perhaps even a sense of freedom. As the door closes on what once held them captive, another one opens, and they feel the cold wind of change blowing over them.
Overall, "Last Goodbye" is a reflective and emotional song that's all about letting go of what's been holding you back and moving on towards a brighter tomorrow. The lyrics are particularly poignant, capturing the sense of frustration that comes with being held down, and the sense of release that comes with finally learning to let go.
Line by Line Meaning
Long before your rusted chains
From before the time you placed me in your captivity,
Busted walls and barbed wire cage
When you tried to fence me in and put me in captivity,
Tried to hold me down
You tried to limit my possibilities,
Time was just a fist of change
As time progressed, changes started to occur,
Tossed in the water just incase
You discarded me hopelessly to be forgotten,
You ever came around
And left me in the hope of my return,
I could lose myself
I could forget who I am,
I could curse like hell
I might have to express my anger and retaliation,
But I've lost the will to even try
But I have no interest in doing so now,
If you ever doubt listen to the sound
If you have any skepticism, just hear me out,
No lies
There is no deception here,
No, no, no
There is nothing left for you here,
This is my last goodbye
I am parting ways with you for good,
Pardon me if I appear
Please excuse me if it seems,
To see beyond the now and here
That I have a broader perspective than the present moment,
To try and save myself
And I am attempting to save myself,
I'm not the kind of them to blame
I don't typically apportion blame to others,
But I can take more of the same
But now I can't tolerate any more,
But I can't take more of the same
Repeating the same negative experiences is not tolerable to me,
Livin' on your shelf
Being kept under your control,
Door closes
One door has closed,
Another one opens
But another one has opened,
I feel the cold wind blowing
I can feel the frigid wind on my skin,
Over me
As it passes by me,
Long gone
I've been adrift for some time,
But not forgotten
But my memory is still with me,
I might be lost
I may not have direction,
I might be finally free
But maybe I am free at last,
Yes, it is
And that is a fact.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mountain Gator
Some of the greatest lyrics ever written, combined with truly amazing guitar work .. an absolutely perfect song and one of my all-time favorites. Reaches down deep into your soul .. this song is the absolute truth!!
Baba Lous
These lyrics come back to me to this day. I used to play this song over and over. Playing it now and I can see why I did. What a great combination of talents.
Alice in Chains
I absolutely love this song
Balto Games
That guitar tone is so beautiful; it is the sound of soul and tears.
stan clarke
When song lyrics literally speaks about how you felt at a certain point in your life.. it really hits Deeper than most other favourites. This song in Particular, is one of those rare few...
Angel Meyers
This is one of my all-time favorite songs....I love it...thank you and many blessings.
John Jaramillo
A masterpiece
Jeff Hunter
They are so good! Even better live
Brian
My father and I got to see Kenny two times. Best nights of my life. Miss, you pop...
Peter Torrez
Me and my pop saw johnny cash. I miss my old man too. It's the moments you hold on to that never let them die.