White began performing when she was a child, singing in a gospel group with her parents and brother. The group, called the White Family Singers, sang at local church and community gathering. After a while, the children began working pop music into the act, most notably Elvis Presley. As a teenager, Lari sang show tunes at talent contests and sang with a local rock & roll band. She earned a scholarship to the University of Miami, where she studied vocals and music engineering. After a while, she began writing her own songs, singing in local clubs at night and taking professional singing jobs. Upon graduating from college, she travelled around the United States, looking at various local music scenes. In 1988, she decided to move to Nashville and try to become a professional.
Later in 1988, she appeared on the Nashville Network's You Can Be a Star and won the first prize. The award led to a record contract with Capitol. Before the end of the year, she had released a single on Capitol, "Flying Above the Rain," which became a regional hit in the South but failed to break into the big time. Later that same year, she joined Ronnie Milsap's publishing house and began taking acting lessons. For the next few years, White continued in this vein, choosing to hone her talent, sing in local dinner theaters and wait for another break. That break arrived in 1991, after an ASCAP showcase revived interest in her talents. Following the showcase, Rodney Crowell asked her to sing backup vocals in his live band. In 1992, White signed a record contract with RCA and Crowell produced her debut album, Lead Me Not, which was released the following year.
Lead Me Not received strong reviews and produced three minor hit singles: "What a Woman Wants," "Lead Me Not," and "Lay Around and Love You." Wishes, White's second album, became her breakthrough release, producing the Top Ten singles "That's My Baby," "Now I Know," and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)." Don't Fence Me In, White's third album, wasn't quite as successful as its predecessor, but it continued her success. Stepping Stone followed in 1998. In 2004, after a lenghty hiatus that found the artist building her own home studio, White released the self-produced Green Eyed Soul on the UK based Mesmerizing Records.
Take Me
Lari White Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eldorado with a full tank of gas in it
It'll take us where it thinks we need to go
All we got to do is keep it in the middle of the road
Take me up to Wichita
Hold me in Niagara Falls
Rock me in Memphis
Marry me in the keys
Don't care where we go
As long as you take me
Baby, make a left on exit 98
My sister told me that the etoufee is great
Oh, we could split a cold one to wash it down
Watch the sunset on the face of a sleepy little town
Then
Take me up to Wichita
Hold me in Niagara Falls
Rock me in Memphis
Kiss me down in New Orleans
Marry me in the keys
Don't care where we go
As long as you take me
Ninety miles per hour
One kiss every minute
It's my favorite car
As long as you're in it
Kiss me down in New Orleans
Marry me in the Keys
I don't care where we go
I don't care where we go
As long as you take me
The lyrics to Lari White's song "Take Me" describe a couple's desire to travel together and experience different destinations. The first verse sets the scene: they have a full tank of gas and are ready to hit the road. "All we got to do is keep it in the middle of the road" implies that the couple is not too concerned with the exact route they take or the specific destinations they visit - they just want to be together and see where the road takes them.
The chorus is a series of romantic and iconic locations that the couple could visit together: Wichita, Niagara Falls, Memphis, and New Orleans. Each location is associated with a different type of romantic experience, from holding each other close in Niagara Falls to kissing passionately in New Orleans. The phrase "Marry me in the Keys" is particularly evocative, suggesting that the couple is so in love and devoted to each other that they could get married anywhere and it wouldn't matter - as long as they're together.
The final verse picks up where the first verse left off, with the couple driving fast and kissing frequently. The car they're in becomes a symbol for their relationship, with the singer saying "It's my favorite car / As long as you're in it." Ultimately, the song is about the enduring power of love and the joy of exploring new places with someone you care about deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
Forty miles outside of Houston city limits
We're starting this journey outside of the city of Houston, Texas.
Eldorado with a full tank of gas in it
We're in a car called Eldorado and it has a full tank of gas.
It'll take us where it thinks we need to go
Our car Eldorado will navigate us to where it thinks we should go.
All we got to do is keep it in the middle of the road
Our main responsibility is to keep our car in the center of the road.
Take me up to Wichita
I want you to take me to Wichita, Kansas.
Hold me in Niagara Falls
I want to be held by you while we're in Niagara Falls, New York.
Rock me in Memphis
I want to be rocked by you in Memphis, Tennessee.
Kiss me down in New Orleans
I want to be kissed by you in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Marry me in the keys
I want to marry you in a place called 'the Keys'.
Don't care where we go
I don't have any specific preference on other places we go to.
As long as you take me
I just want you to take me with you and I will be content wherever you take me.
Baby, make a left on exit 98
Please take exit 98 which is where we're supposed to go.
My sister told me that the etoufee is great
My sister recommended the etoufee in this place that we're going to.
Oh, we could split a cold one to wash it down
We could share a cold drink to go with the etoufee.
Watch the sunset on the face of a sleepy little town
After eating, we could watch the sunset in a quiet and small town.
Ninety miles per hour
We're going at a speed of 90 miles per hour in our car.
One kiss every minute
I want to be kissed by you every minute.
It's my favorite car
Eldorado is my favorite car.
As long as you're in it
As long as you're with me, I'm happy even if we're driving my favorite car.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB DIPIERO, STEPHONY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
it's definitely true
Rest in peace๐ and your music is really great and it will help your memory live on forever and and also bring smiles to Millionsโค
Honest Mark
Hello, how are you doing today
Scilla
My heart breaks.. RIP Lari!!! You will be solely missed, but your sweet music will live on.
Faith
Eternally
Bob Scott
Lari told someone to pronounce her name like "Starry Night". I thought that was a perfect way to describe her, she'll be with us as long as we keep playing her music. RIP.
Honest Mark
Hello, how are you doing today
Kevin Godfrey
I loved Lari White, and I'm so said to hear of her passing. I didn't know she passed until later on, and I'm sad about that. To all her family and friends I'm so sorry for your loss, but beautiful Lari is with the Lord now, and she has her wings. Once again know God is taking care of her.
RIP Dear Lari you are missed.
Marilyn Lacey
RIP to a beautiful woman inside and out. She truly had a heart of gold.
Honest Mark
Hello, how are you doing today
Chris la plant
LOVE IT!!!!!!