The band formed by accident in 1989 (see 1989 in music), when a local band, the Salmon Heads, asked some members of the Left Hand String Band to fill some missing spots in its lineup. The synergy worked and the result was Leftover Salmon.
After the independent release of Bridges to Bert in 1993 (see 1993 in music) and the 1995 (see 1995 in music) live follow-up Ask The Fish, Leftover Salmon gained a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. festival tour and a contract with Hollywood Records. Their 1997 Hollywood debut and second studio album, Euphoria, continued to define their eclectic sound and introduced many songs that would become classics for the band.
In March of 2002 (see 2002 in music) founding member and banjoist Mark Vann lost his battle with cancer. He was later replaced by Noam Pikelny.
A documentary film of Leftover Salmon, titled "Years In Your Ears," was released on DVD in November 2006.
Troubled Times
Leftover Salmon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Take away your sorrow bring me back some peace of mind
Mama's gone away, join my Daddy up above
Mama's gone away, join my Daddy up above
Wouldn't have me nobody, if it wasn't for my own true love
So Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Take away your sorrow bring me back some peace of mind
Solo
Money's hard to come by but there's always bills to pay
Money's hard to come by but there's always bills to pay
But I know the time is coming there's gonna be a brighter day
So Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Take away your sorrow bring me back some peace of mind
Solo
Outside the rain is falling and the sun has lost the sky
Outside the rain is falling and the sun has lost the sky
Well I feel so dog gone lonesome and I can't tell you the reason why
So Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Take away your sorrow bring me back some peace of mind
Solo
Say the darkest night happens just before the dawn
Say the darkest night happens just before the dawn
I been waiting for the daylight to make these troubles move along
So Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
Take away your sorrow bring me back some peace of mind
The song "Troubled Times" by Leftover Salmon is a heartfelt plea for relief from the struggles and sorrow that life can bring. The chorus is a repeated request for the wind to blow away the troubles, to take away the sorrow and bring back some peace of mind. The verses tell of the singer's personal struggles, loss, and financial hardship. The first verse speaks of the loss of both parents and the importance of the love of a significant other. The second discusses the difficulty of making ends meet, but holds onto hope for brighter days. The third shows the singer feeling lonely and lost, without any specific explanation as to why. Finally, the fourth verse turns towards hope, with the saying that the darkest hour is just before dawn and waiting for the daylight to bring relief.
The chorus is the most important part of the song, as it ties everything together. The wind is a natural force that can’t be controlled, but the singer is asking it to cleanse and heal their troubles. The repeated use of "blow" amplifies the message of asking for relief, and the hope of a better future. The song paints a picture of someone who is struggling, but holding onto hope that things will improve. It's a message of endurance and resilience, of not giving up in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Troubled Times" is a powerful and emotionally resonant song that speaks to the human experience of suffering through hard times, but finding hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
The singer is asking for the wind to blow away their problems and hard times.
Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times
The singer repeats their request for the wind to blow away their troubles.
Take away your sorrow bring me back some peace of mind
The singer wants their sadness to disappear and to regain inner peace.
Mama's gone away, join my Daddy up above
The singer's mother has passed away and gone to be with their father who has also died.
Mama's gone away, join my Daddy up above
The singer repeats that their mother has passed away and joined their father in the afterlife.
Wouldn't have me nobody, if it wasn't for my own true love
The singer is grateful for their true love, as they wouldn't be who they are without them.
Money's hard to come by but there's always bills to pay
The singer is struggling financially and has bills to pay even though income is scarce.
But I know the time is coming there's gonna be a brighter day
The singer is optimistic that things will improve in the future and that brighter days are ahead.
Outside the rain is falling and the sun has lost the sky
The weather is gloomy and the sky is dark, which reflects the singer's mood.
Well I feel so dog gone lonesome and I can't tell you the reason why
The singer is feeling very lonely, but can't explain the reason behind their feelings.
Say the darkest night happens just before the dawn
The singer believes that difficulties often arise before positive change occurs.
I been waiting for the daylight to make these troubles move along
The singer is waiting for the arrival of brighter days to help them overcome their current hardships.
Contributed by Abigail H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.