Roy Williams of Nervous Records remembers well when our heroes were trying to get signed, in typical fuzzy rockabilly folklore style the details are just that, fuzzy, but he does recall a piss-up of monumental proportions at a gig downstairs at the Clarendon organised by a woman unknown who promised free booze for interested parties. A phone call to Ray Frensham of Northwood records later and the deadly duo were off ‘to have a laugh and milk the free booze for all they were worth’. Mission accomplished Roy does not remember getting home. He does remember with glee correcting the spelling on schoolteacher Mark Ds letter to him, the wise old sage!
Not long after and all things were rockin along quite nicely in the Texans camp with their growing legion of fans treated to the release of Sodbusters, a cracker of an album, hard to pigeon hole not psychobilly with not a hint of a graveyard, Zombie or Vampire not rockabilly, but a slap bass driven party album with what would become their trademark mix of all sorts of styles. A few other tracks appeared on Raucous and Nervous compilations to keep the Rockin underground hungry for more. Anyway it’s getting a bit serious again.
Hard touring with the fan base building and the Album selling soon followed hot on the heels by new releases Los Me Boleros which included all time Texans favourite ‘Indians’ and live blaster Five Beans In the Wheel. Saturnalia was released on Picture disc to wide acclaim and included classic Texans tunes Bloody, Cairo and No Tomorrow. One of the Texans great talents was to cover songs and make them totally their own, the other was to sing songs with pretty miserable lyrics like Bloody and make them sound happy and make you jump about even though the song was basically about getting dumped by your bird and you knew it.
Such was their live reputation the Long Tall ones soon found themselves on the end of the Jettisounds lenses where their show at the Night Of The Long Knives was captured in all it’s beer swilled glory and titled ‘Blood Sweat and Beers’ for all that couldn’t make it or weren’t born yet could see what they missed.
In the meantime the Texans had been embraced by the Psychobilly masses of Europe regularly trundling off with their van car or any other mode of transport they could get their hands on to play gigs the length and breadth of the continent to a fanatical following.
Singing To The Moon was another landmark direction for the Texans, a sharp move towards or rather away from what people expected, the Psychos listened, blinked, listened again and loved it. The title track a cool as cucumber echo laden reggae inspired sing along together with a dub version that sat just as well with the jazzy ‘Klub Foot Shuffle’ and the real life tragedy based rocker ‘Suicide at the Seaside’ Things looked as if they could be going even further for the Texans when Mark Denman ‘Boggles’ left the band, at least in a live performance role. It seemed for a while as if the wheels had come off of the bandwagon just when it was gaining speed. The band played at the Rumble that year with Gus (?) who was later replaced by Cellmate Leicester Kev, Steve(?) and then Doug Shepard formerly of the Rattlers.
With all the line-up changes that were going on with Mark and Theo trying to replace a mate that had been with them since day one you could have quite understood that things would have gone pear shaped and that the heyday of the Long Tall Texans was over. Guess again, they had yet more surprises up their sleeve. One gig I was at the curtains went back and the cry went up, ‘Who the fuck is the hippy?!’ Standing stage right with hair down to his arse and black trousers skin tight on legs that made Carew look stocky stood new Sax man Paul Mumford. The Texans with a sax? Though there had been guest instruments on recorded stuff but full time in the line-up playing old Texans favourites? It would never work, but it did.
Aces and Eights followed, Sax to the fore and once again a mix of styles and even a fender bass on what turned out to be one of the favourite tracks on the Album ‘lip Service’. The sax reworking of big time favourite ‘Bloody’ was an unthinkable improvement, with even a Levellers style track with Innocent Look and a guest guitarist laying down a bit of metal on the closing track. This album launched the band into the stratosphere, well a tour of Japan. That was the furthest they went on tour but the ones closer to home produced some cracking stories. Ready?
After too much booze as Theo remembers a free for all but good-natured scrap on the car deck of a cross channel ferry with The Klingonz (from Mars so what they were doing on the ferry god only knows). Other sources remembered that the police were waiting with good descriptions of the culprits, Klingonz are let’s say hard to miss and were apprehended while the more soberly haircutted Texans slipped through the net.
Another story was when the Texans had agreed to give a mate of Chuck Flintstone a lift home from Germany at some hardship to themselves, all the band plus hitchhiker were squeezed in a Ford Capri with Drums on laps and Double Bass on the roof. All was going well until the French/Belgian border where some over keen Customs officials on the French side decide to stop the intrepid carload. Almost as they opened the boot the assorted merchandise started to fall about. On noticing the rather nifty Geo Parkin designed Ts the customs guy made it known to Carew he would like one, faced with the prospect of having to load the car again after a full scale search he willing agreed, and handed over a shirt, only to be told ‘Non’ as the customs fella gestured to his three amigos who had appeared as if by magic at the roadside. They all got one, the last view from the Capri’s wing mirror was the four well chuffed Frenchmen holding up their new Long Tall Texans Ts for size.
The other thing the Texans and Carew especially are renowned for is the ability to sleep anywhere. At one gig in Devon they were playing a birthday party where the accommodation was the promoters two bedroom flat. Support was The Gazmen and a local two-piece with a t-chest bass and mullets, with even more mullet biker hangers on. At the after gig party invaded by the mullets and bikers who juggled their cider bottles for kix Carew was happily curled up on the kitchen floor along with Theo who had found some curtains to sleep in, trademark smiles on faces, oblivious.
And that just about sums up the story so far for the Texans, as at home playing to 2000 people at a festival as in a beer soaked boozer in the middle of nowhere as long as it is fun and with them it always is. The sight of Mark Carew slapping that Bass with a smile as big as Brighton on his face is one that anyone lucky enough to witness will cherish for a very long time.
Gotta Go
Long Tall Texans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I gotta go right now
The rise is so hard
Before I go
I just wanna thank those who got me here
First and foremost
I wanna thank the lord
Jesus Christ
Songbook baby
My man Troy Taylor
I love you nigga
Deesha
Quincy
Go Sooners
To my man Devante
Butta Murphy
What up D
Formula
D2 music management putting it down
Beat Bangers
Yeah we here
What up Zeke
To Mike Caren for bringing me to the world
To Craig Kallman and Ron Chaperl for believing in Mike Caren
My nigga Henry Singleton, Brian P
For getting that 25th floor rockin or 28th,
Ronnie Johnson, Big Drawls
Moe
James Lopes
Amber
Sharon
Sydney, Nappy Roots
Brian Ward
Eric Ford
Tehera
Crystal
Kushna
Jonathon Leonard
Luis West
Mama West what's up, what's up salaam
Andrew
Mark for getting that paper right
Robert Bracey for getting that paper right
G
Hip Hop
Al
Paul
Linda
Patty
To all the assistants for doing they thing
Man read the credits for all the rest
I gotta go
Last but not least my folks
Mama
I love you baby
I'm here
What up Forrest
Do your thang man
Take care of mama while I'm gone
I gotta go
Gimme a kiss Rose
Dale
Fee
Auntie Lisha
Aunt Marion
All my niggas
Jay, Red, Coop
Quest, Finch
Ya'll my heart man
Petersburg, VA
I gotta go right now
I'll be back before you know it
Show More
The lyrics to Long Tall Texans's song Gotta Go express the singer's reluctance to leave, even though he has to go. He thanks all the people who have supported and helped him along the way, including Troy Taylor, his D2 music management team, and Mike Caren who brought him to the world. He also pays tribute to his mother and all his friends, and promises to return soon.
The song is filled with references to people and places, demonstrating the singer's appreciation and love for his community. He mentions specific individuals by name, calling out his friends like Devante, Butta Murphy, and Quincy, and also acknowledges the teams and companies that have helped him with his music. Through his lyrics, the singer shows his gratitude and humility, recognizing that he did not get here alone, and that it takes a village to achieve success in life.
Overall, Gotta Go is a song that embodies the spirit of gratitude and community. The singer acknowledges all the people who have contributed to his life, and his decision to leave is not an easy one. Despite this, he promises to return and continue his journey with their support.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna leave
I am hesitant to depart from my current situation.
But I gotta go right now
Regardless of my reluctance, I must depart at this moment.
The rise is so hard
The climb to success is challenging.
Before I go
Prior to my departure,
I just wanna thank those who got me here
I wish to express my gratitude towards those who have helped me reach my current position.
First and foremost
Above all else,
I wanna thank the lord
I give thanks to God.
Jesus Christ
Specifically, I give praise to the Christian God, Jesus Christ.
For allowing me the chance to let ya'll know he's real
I am grateful for the opportunity to share my beliefs in God with others and make them aware of His existence.
Songbook baby
This refers to the record label or production company that produced this song.
My man Troy Taylor
Troy Taylor is a close friend and associate.
I love you nigga
This is an expression of love towards a close friend.
Deesha
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Quincy
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Go Sooners
This is a reference to a sports team, and the artist is wishing them good luck.
To my man Devante
This is a shout-out to a close friend.
Butta Murphy
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
What up D
This is a greeting to someone whose name starts with the letter D.
Formula
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
D2 music management putting it down
This is a shout-out to a music management company that has done well.
Beat Bangers
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Yeah we here
This is an affirmation of their success or presence in the industry.
What up Zeke
This is a greeting to someone named Zeke.
To Mike Caren for bringing me to the world
This is a shout-out to a prominent music industry figure who helped them gain exposure.
To Craig Kallman and Ron Chaperl for believing in Mike Caren
This is a shout-out to more prominent music industry figures who helped the artist gain recognition and success.
My nigga Henry Singleton, Brian P
These are names of individuals that the artist wants to acknowledge and express gratitude towards.
For getting that 25th floor rockin or 28th,
This is a reference to a specific event or performance in which these individuals were involved.
Ronnie Johnson, Big Drawls
These are names of individuals that the artist wants to acknowledge and express gratitude towards.
Moe
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
James Lopes
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Amber
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Sharon
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Sydney, Nappy Roots
These are names of individuals or groups that the artist wants to acknowledge and express gratitude towards.
Brian Ward
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Eric Ford
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Tehera
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Crystal
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Kushna
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Jonathon Leonard
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Luis West
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Mama West what's up, what's up salaam
This is likely an address to his mother and a greeting, also expressing gratitude.
Andrew
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Mark for getting that paper right
This is a shout-out to someone who significantly helped the artist make money or obtain financial success.
Robert Bracey for getting that paper right
This is another shout-out to someone who significantly helped the artist make money or obtain financial success.
G
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Hip Hop
This is a reference to the hip-hop genre.
Al
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Paul
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Linda
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Patty
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
To all the assistants for doing they thing
This is a general thanks to all of the assistants who have helped the artist in any capacity.
Man read the credits for all the rest
The artist is directing the listener to look at the credits for more acknowledgments and gratitude expressions.
Last but not least my folks
Before wrapping up the acknowledgments and expressing gratitude, the artist gives one last shout-out to their family.
Mama
This is a direct address of the artist's mother and an expression of love.
I love you baby
This is a compassionate statement to someone whom the artist loves.
I'm here
The artist is assuring their loved ones that they are currently present and doing well.
What up Forrest
This is a greeting towards someone named Forrest.
Do your thang man
The artist encourages the person they are addressing to continue doing what they are doing, likely referencing something specific.
Take care of mama while I'm gone
The artist is asking the person they are addressing to look after their mother while they are away.
Gimme a kiss Rose
This is a direct address to someone named Rose, asking for a kiss.
Dale
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Fee
This is a name of a person or an entity that the artist wants to express gratitude to.
Auntie Lisha
This is a direct address to someone named Lisha, who is likely related to the artist.
Aunt Marion
This is a direct address to someone named Marion, who is likely related to the artist.
All my niggas
This is a way of addressing all of the artist's close friends in a familiar and friendly manner.
Jay, Red, Coop
These are names of individuals who the artist wants to express gratitude towards.
Quest, Finch
These are names of individuals who the artist wants to express gratitude towards.
Ya'll my heart man
This is an expression of love and affection towards those being addressed.
Petersburg, VA
This is a reference to the artist's hometown, likely calling out their local community and expressing pride in its place of origin.
I'll be back before you know it
The artist is reassuring their loved ones that they will return relatively quickly.
I gotta go right now
The artist is reiterating that they must depart immediately.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: MARVIN SMITH, TREMAINE NEVERSON, TROY TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind