Country-pop may have ruled the charts, but Kevin Fowler established himself… Read Full Bio ↴Country-pop may have ruled the charts, but Kevin Fowler established himself impressively throughout Texas by making modest honky tonk-style country for regular folks. Raised in the West Texas town Amarillo, the guitarist began his musical career on both drums and piano. He left Texas at age 20 for the bright lights of Los Angeles, where he studied music at the Guitar Institute of Technology. He returned to Texas soon after and settled in Austin, where he joined the hard rock band Dangerous Toys. Following this eye-opening stint, Fowler started his own Southern hard rock band, Thunderfoot. He soon came to the realization, however, that he couldn't shake his West Texas roots and gave up hard rock for country, the style of music he grew up with.

Fowler put together a country band in 1998 and began playing Tuesday nights at Babe's on Sixth Street in Austin. Within two years, he'd begun recording albums and struck big with his self-released Beer, Bait and Ammo (2000). The album sold around 30,000 copies in the Texas area and garnered an impressive amount of airplay, particularly for the album's title track. The song became somewhat of a Texas anthem; Mark Chesnutt made the song part of his live show, and Sammy Kershaw recorded it. Fowler returned in 2002 with his third album, High on the Hog, and boasted some impressive guests, including Willie Nelson and David Lee Garza.

Chippin’ Away
Kevin Fowler Lyrics

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Yeah, a lot people think
She's a little out of my league
Maybe I'm aiming too high, but that's okay
I'm chippin' away

Well, this morning, at the feed store
Walking in, I held the door
Saw the sweetest little smile sneak across her face

Oh, I'm chippin' away

Yeah, chippin' away, chippin' away
Gonna break through to her one of these days
That wall's high, but I know I'm
Chippin' away

Oh, chippin' away, chippin' away
I'm gonna do whatever it takes
Making her mine one swing at a time
Chippin' away

Oh, I'm chippin', chippin' away

It's kinda like a miner
Digging for a diamond
I know it's gonna take awhile, but it's worth the wait
I'm chippin' away

Yeah, chippin' away, chippin' away
Gonna break through to her one of these days
That wall's high, but I know I'm
Chippin' away

Oh, chippin' away, chippin' away
I'm gonna do whatever it takes
Making her mine one swing at a time
Chippin' away

Bought her a dozen red roses
Bet that'll do the trick
If that don't win her over
I'll be right back at it again
Yeah, right back it again

Yeah, chippin' away, chippin' away
Gonna break through to her one of these days
That wall's high, but I know I'm
Chippin' away

Oh, chippin' away, chippin' away
I'm gonna do whatever it takes
Making her mine one swing at a time
Chippin' away

That wall's high, but I know I'm
Chippin' away

Overall Meaning

The song "Chippin' Away" by Kevin Fowler is about a man who is pursuing a woman that he believes is out of his league. The lyrics describe his persistent efforts to win her over. He likens his pursuit of her to a miner digging for a diamond, acknowledging that it will take time and effort but will be worth it in the end. He is aware that the wall between them is high, but he is determined to keep chipping away until he gets to her.

The metaphor of chipping away is used throughout the song to describe the man's perseverance in pursuing the woman. He acknowledges that it may take time and that there may be setbacks, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to make her his. He buys her a dozen red roses in an attempt to win her over, but if that doesn't work, he is ready to try again. The song is an uplifting and hopeful message about the power of persistence and determination to reach one's goals.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, a lot people think
Many people believe

She's a little out of my league
She may be too good for me

Maybe I'm aiming too high, but that's okay
Perhaps my goals are too lofty, but that's fine

I'm chippin' away
I'm making slow and steady progress

Well, this morning, at the feed store
Earlier today, while at the feed store

Walking in, I held the door
As I entered, I opened the door

Saw the sweetest little smile sneak across her face
Noticed a lovely smile appear on her face

Oh, I'm chippin' away
I'm making progress towards winning her over

Yeah, chippin' away, chippin' away
Slowly making progress

Gonna break through to her one of these days
I will eventually win her heart

That wall's high, but I know I'm
It's a difficult challenge but I am determined