Bridges began performing in and around Fort Worth, Texas and stirred up music industry interest with analog recordings, produced by Justin Block and Austin Jenkins of White Denim, which were uploaded to his SoundCloud page. Signed to major-label Columbia, his first singles -- including a rich ballad written about his mother -- appeared in February 2015 with a sound that evoked mid-to-late '60s soul. The following month, Bridges caught more attention with performances at SXSW, roughly 200 miles south of his home base. His debut album, Coming Home, was released in June 2015.
Smooth Sailin'
Leon Bridges Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's smooth sailin'
These concrete seas
Now she's headed
East down the boule, the vard
Sugar
Said I like the way (Like the way)
You sail your ship down
Let me be your cargo
I won't wear you down
No honey I won't
Wear you down
I don't really know
Her destination
But I got a feeling I
Get to be your passenger
Sugar let me be your passenger
Sugar
Said I like the way (Like the way)
Said I like the way (Like the way)
You sail your ship down
Let me be your cargo
I won't wear you down
No honey I won't
Wear you down
She's smooth
Smooth sailin' (Smooth sailin' yeah)
She's smooth
Smooth, darling
Sweet pretty baby
Won't you be my lady, oh
Sweet honey, darling
You know I'm calling
I want you
Sugar
Said I like the way (Like the way)
Said I like the way (Like the way)
You sail your ship down
Let me be your cargo
I won't wear you down
No honey I won't
Wear you down
She's smooth
Smooth sailin' (Smooth sailin' yeah)
She's smooth, oh, darling
Sweet pretty baby
Won't you be my lady, oh
Sweet honey, darling
You know I'm calling
I want you
Sugar
Said I like the way (Like the way)
Said I like the way (Like the way)
You sail your ship down
Let me be your cargo
I won't wear you down
No honey I won't
Wear you down
The lyrics of Leon Bridges's song "Smooth Sailin'" are about being willing to travel with someone you are attracted to and trust, using a metaphor of ships sailing across "concrete seas." The singer describes the person he is attracted to as being "smooth sailin'" and notes that he does not know her destination, but he wants to be her passenger. He tells her that he likes the way she "sails her ship down" and asks her to let him be her cargo. He reassures her that he won't wear her down and repeats this phrase several times throughout the song.
The lyrics can be interpreted as being about forming a romantic relationship, where the singer is drawn to the person's confidence and sense of direction. The metaphor of ships sailing across concrete seas suggests that this relationship is taking place in the modern world and that some obstacles might stand in the way. However, the singer is willing to take the risk of traveling with the person he likes because he believes she is "smooth sailin'." He wants to be her passenger and let her take the lead, to the point where he will be her cargo.
Overall, the lyrics of "Smooth Sailin'" convey a sense of attraction and trust between two people, where one is more confident and in control than the other. The metaphor of ships sailing across concrete seas adds a romantic and adventurous touch to the song, suggesting that the relationship is not without its challenges, but that the singer is willing to take them on for the chance to be with the person he likes.
Line by Line Meaning
Over the horizon
Looking towards the future
She's smooth sailin'
The subject of the song is doing well and life is going smoothly
These concrete seas
Life can be difficult and challenging in a big city
Now she's headed East down the boule, the vard
The subject of the song is moving forward and progressing in life (East represents progress)
Sugar
Affectionate term for a partner or love interest
Said I like the way (Like the way)
The singer is expressing admiration for the subject's positive traits or behavior
You sail your ship down
The subject is navigating through life and making good decisions
Let me be your cargo
The artist wants to be a part of the subject's life and support them
I won't wear you down
The artist promises not to be a burden or drain on the subject's life
No honey I won't
The artist is reassuring the subject of their commitment
I don't really know
The singer is unsure or uncertain
Her destination
The subject's long-term goals or aspirations
But I got a feeling I
The singer has a sense or intuition
Get to be your passenger
The singer wants to be a part of the subject's journey or support them
She's smooth
The subject is doing well and life is going smoothly
Smooth sailin' (Smooth sailin' yeah)
The subject is navigating through life successfully and things are going well
Sweet pretty baby
Affectionate term for a partner or love interest
Won't you be my lady, oh
The singer is asking the subject to be their partner or love interest
Sweet honey, darling
Affectionate term for a partner or love interest
You know I'm calling
The artist is reaching out to the subject and expressing their interest
I want you
The artist desires the subject and wants to pursue a relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: AUSTIN JENKINS, CHRIS VIVION, JOSHUA BLOCK, TODD MICHAEL BRIDGES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cindyr5056
Old school soul perfection! His voice has such a beautiful tone, and his songs and videos are so classy.
@mongraalandewok3652
He is gay
@kharecegreen6095
Very interesting vocal choices. He didn’t do the next obvious thing. At first I couldn’t tell if I loved or hated it.
I love it
@onmywayto8083
Listen to his song called River. So in love 😍💕
@syndiaustin1449
I listen to this just about every morning to set my vibe for the day! Thank you Leon for having that "cool" effect on me!
@MrDeZohan
Literally been following Leon for the past 1.5 years. He's so much better than the music thats out now. THE INDUSTRY NEEDS THISSSS
@LaLaSayz762016
How can you not listen to this without dancing? !?!?!
@daves1488
Really lovin' this. Absolutely brilliant. And your drummer rocks!
@aGwEENapple
Are all his songs so good?! I can't stop listening! I'm going to be obsessed with him! He's amazing!
@tazaiyarahrayah9073
yes they are. especially a song called "river"