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
Spank
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Lyrics
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Life has a way of making you pay to the club where we all belong
Now you're free to believe that the good life is guaranteed
But watch your step 'cos it's a safe bet, you're gonna end up on your knees
You're gonna get spanked, I'm warning you sister
You're gonna get spanked, life's gonna hit you
You'll never know until you get spanked, you're gonna be humbled
You'll never know until you get spanked
Some do want to prove that there are really just a chosen few
So test your fate, speculate that it can never really happen to you
I've been high, at least tried, I learned to sleep with an open eye
You crossed that line, better take the time to kiss your ass goodbye
You're gonna get spanked, I'm warning you sister
You're gonna get spanked, life's gonna hit you
You'll never know until you get spanked, you're gonna be humbled
You're gonna get spanked and you're world's gonna crumble
You'll never know until you get
When you're so sure you got it right
All alone in the spotlight
You'll never see it coming
You'll never see it coming
[Incomprehensible]
You're gonna get spanked, I'm warning you sister
You're gonna get spanked, life's gonna hit you
You'll never know until you get spanked, you're gonna be humbled
You're gonna get spanked and you're world's gonna crumble
You'll never know until you get spanked
I'm warning you sister
You're gonna get spanked, life's gonna hit you
You'll never know until you get spanked
The lyrics to "Spank" by Kenny Wayne Shepherd featuring Kid Rock speak to the idea that life can humble us all, regardless of how confident or successful we may feel. The opening lines acknowledge that feeling strong and successful is not inherently wrong, but that life has a way of bringing us down to earth. The chorus warns that everyone will experience this humbling at some point, and that it will come in the form of a spanking that knocks us off our high horse and leaves us with a shattered worldview.
The song also touches on the tendency for some people to believe that they are immune to life's difficulties or that they are part of a chosen few who will always have it easy. The lyrics caution against this kind of thinking and suggest that even those who believe they are above it all will eventually fall. The lines "You crossed that line, better take the time to kiss your ass goodbye" underscore this point, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's own fallibility and being prepared for whatever life may throw our way.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't wrong to feel so strong when you think you got it going on
It's not a bad thing to be confident when you believe you have everything under control.
Life has a way of making you pay to the club where we all belong
Living life has a tendency to make us all experience difficulties that we must face and overcome.
Now you're free to believe that the good life is guaranteed
You may think that living a good life is a given and will happen effortlessly.
But watch your step 'cos it's a safe bet, you're gonna end up on your knees
However, you need to be careful because it's likely that you'll face tough times and be forced to humble yourself.
You're gonna get spanked, I'm warning you sister
You will face difficult times and be humbled, and I'm warning you about it.
You're gonna get spanked, life's gonna hit you
You will be tested by life and experience hardships.
You'll never know until you get spanked, you're gonna be humbled
You won't understand the reality of these hardships until you experience them and learn to be humble.
You're gonna get spanked and you're world's gonna crumble
Your struggles will be so overwhelming that your world will feel like it's falling apart.
Some do want to prove that there are really just a chosen few
Some people aim to prove that only a select few can succeed in life.
So test your fate, speculate that it can never really happen to you
However, don't assume that you are immune to failure and test your limits.
I've been high, at least tried, I learned to sleep with an open eye
I've experienced success, but I've also failed, and I've learned to be cautious and aware of potential obstacles.
You crossed that line, better take the time to kiss your ass goodbye
If you push the boundaries too far, prepare to face the consequences.
When you're so sure you got it right, all alone in the spotlight
When you are certain that you are correct and in a position of power.
You'll never see it coming, you'll never see it coming
The hardships that will come your way will often be unexpected.
I'm warning you sister
I'm cautioning you to be prepared for the challenges ahead.
Contributed by Hunter H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.