Flatt and Scruggs met as members of Bill Monroe's band, the Blue Grass Boys in 1946. They both left that band early in 1948, and within a few months had formed their own group, the Foggy Mountain Boys. Scruggs' banjo style and Flatt's vocals gave them a distinctive sound that won them many fans. In 1955 they became members of the Grand Ole Opry. Many of the songs on their albums are credited to "Certain and Stacey". These were in fact written by Flatt and Scruggs and various other members of the Foggy Mountain Boys. Certain and Stacey are the maiden names of the wives of Flatt and Scruggs. Louise Certain, wife of Earl Scruggs and Gladys Stacey, wife of Lester Flatt.
Scruggs, who had always shown progressive tendencies, experimented on duets with saxophonist King Curtis and added songs by the likes of Bob Dylan to the group's repertoire. Flatt, a traditionalist, did not like these changes, and the group broke up in 1969. Following the breakup, Lester Flatt founded the Nashville Grass and Scruggs lead the Earl Scruggs Revue. Flatt died in 1979, while Scruggs continued to perform until his death in March 2012. Flatt and Scruggs were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985
Flatt & Scruggs may be best known however as the performers of "The Ballad of Jed Clampit" the theme song from the sixties television show "The Beverly Hillbillies". Flatt & Scruggs made cameo appearances on the "The Beverly Hillbillies" as well.
Wanted Man
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanted man in Kansas City wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi wanted man on old Cheyenne
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
I might be in Colorado or Georgia by the sea
Working for some men who may not know at all who I might be
If you ever see me coming and if you know who I am
Don't you breathe it to nobody cause you know I'm on the lam
Wanted man by Nelly Johnson wanted man in this next town
Well I've had all that I wanted for a lot of things I had
And a lot more that I needed of something that turned out bad
[ banjo ]
I got sidetracked in El Paso stopped to get myself a nap
Went the wrong way into Juarez with Juanita on my lap
Then I went to sleep in Shreveport woke up in Abilene
Wonderin' why the hell I'm wanted at some town halfway between
Wanted man in Albuquerque wanted man in Siera Cruz
Wanted man in Tallahassee wanted man in Baton Rouge
There's somebody set to grab me anywhere that I might be
And wherever you might look tonight you might get a glimpse of me
Wanted man in California wanted man in Buffalo
Wanted man in Kansas City wanted man in Ohio
Wanted man in Mississippi mhm
The song "Wanted Man" by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs tells the story of a man who is on the run and wanted in several different places. The lyrics are full of geographical references, mentioning locations such as California, Buffalo, Kansas City, and Mississippi. The singer of the song is warning anyone who might recognize him not to reveal his identity, as he is on the lam from the authorities.
The lyrics also reveal that the man has made mistakes in his past and has had trouble with the law. He acknowledges that he has had all that he wanted for a lot of things he had, but also a lot more that he needed of something that turned out bad. The song is full of vivid imagery, with lines about getting sidetracked in El Paso, stopping to get a nap, and waking up in a different town wondering why he's wanted there. Overall, the song is a classic example of the genre of country music, with its focus on storytelling, catchy melody, and twangy instrumentation.
Line by Line Meaning
Wanted man in California wanted man in Buffalo
There is a fugitive who is being wanted in California as well as in Buffalo.
Wanted man in Kansas City wanted man in Ohio
The fugitive is also being sought by authorities in Kansas City and Ohio.
Wanted man in Mississippi wanted man on old Cheyenne
The fugitive is also being searched for in Mississippi and other places like old Cheyenne.
Wherever you might look tonight you might see this wanted man
The fugitive is on the run and could potentially be found anywhere.
I might be in Colorado or Georgia by the sea
The fugitive could be hiding out in any location, such as Colorado or Georgia by the sea.
Working for some men who may not know at all who I might be
The fugitive may be working for individuals who have no idea about his true identity.
If you ever see me coming and if you know who I am
If someone recognizes the fugitive when he approaches, it is best to keep this knowledge secret.
Don't you breathe it to nobody cause you know I'm on the lam
It is not advisable to share this information with anyone as the fugitive is currently evading capture by the authorities.
Wanted man by Lucy Watson wanted man by Jeannie Brown
Lucy Watson and Jeannie Brown are two of the many individuals who are seeking the fugitive's capture.
Wanted man by Nelly Johnson wanted man in this next town
The next town has also issued a warrant for the fugitive's arrest as he is being hunted down by Nelly Johnson.
Well I've had all that I wanted for a lot of things I had
The fugitive has had his fill of things that he once desired.
And a lot more that I needed of something that turned out bad
Unfortunately, some of the things that he needed have not turned out well and have contributed to his current predicament.
I got sidetracked in El Paso stopped to get myself a nap
The fugitive got distracted in El Paso and had to nap for a while before continuing his journey.
Went the wrong way into Juarez with Juanita on my lap
He took a wrong turn into Juarez and had a passenger, Juanita, with him.
Then I went to sleep in Shreveport woke up in Abilene
After sleeping in Shreveport, the fugitive woke up confused in Abilene, not knowing how he got there.
Wonderin' why the hell I'm wanted at some town halfway between
He is unsure why he is wanted in a specific town halfway between his previous locations.
Wanted man in Albuquerque wanted man in Siera Cruz
The fugitive is wanted in both Albuquerque and Siera Cruz.
Wanted man in Tallahassee wanted man in Baton Rouge
The authorities in Tallahassee and Baton Rouge are also hunting down the fugitive.
There's somebody set to grab me anywhere that I might be
As a wanted man, the fugitive is constantly in danger of being captured by anyone who recognizes him.
And wherever you might look tonight you might get a glimpse of me
The fugitive could be hiding out anywhere and could possibly be spotted at any time.
Wanted man in Mississippi mhm
The fugitive is currently being sought after in Mississippi and is still on the run.
Contributed by Adrian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.