The Lost Dogs have been called a country music supergroup, but they conside… Read Full Bio ↴The Lost Dogs have been called a country music supergroup, but they consider themselves to be a roots and alternative music group. They began in 1991 as a one-time collaboration between four very different vocalists and songwriters from four different bands at the behest of their label at that time. Terry Scott Taylor (Daniel Amos, the Swirling Eddies), Gene Eugene (Adam Again), Derri Daugherty (The Choir), and Michael Roe (The 77s) have over the last two decades released nine eclectic albums of traditional American music (country, folk, blues, rock) with a decidedly modern feel. The Lost Dogs' concert performances are filled with between-song jokes and one-liners between the band members (usually poking fun at each other).

Many of the Lost Dogs albums include at least one or two cover songs. Songs covered by the Lost Dogs include Bob Dylan's "Lord, Protect My Child," Leonard Cohen's "If It Be Your Will," The Beatles' "I'm A Loser," and Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More." They have also recorded a number of Traditional or Gospel standards such as "Dust On The Bible," and "Farther Along."

In March, 2000, shortly after the release of their Gift Horse album, Gene Eugene died in his sleep at The Green Room, his recording studio in Huntington Beach, California.

2003 saw the release of the band's first DVD, Via Chicago, a black and white concert film released by Lo-Fidelity Records. A follow-up DVD, Via Chicago (All We Left Unsaid), containing additional songs from the concert, was released in 2006.

Although the loss of Eugene is noticeable, the remaining three Lost Dogs members continue to tour and record new albums. In 2004, the band got together with longtime friend Steve Hindalong to produce a special album for their summer tour. The result was entitled Mutt, and included new acoustic versions of nine songs originally written and recorded for each band member's regular rock bands, with one new song. The following year, the band would release one of their most unusual recordings to date, the almost entirely instrumental Island Dreams.

The band's most recent project, Old Angel, was released May 2010. The band — including the newest official "dog," drummer Steve Hindalong — once again hit the road for a national tour in support of their new album.

Up In The Morning
Lost Dogs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Daybreak I'm half awake today is all there is
I'll be out the door but not before I've kissed the wife and kids
I whistled in the dark, I've known the broken heart
I've seen the red sea part

Now, this sunlight just might turn strangers into friends
A surprise for sore eyes another place I've never been
Might feel old Earth shake, could miss that lucky break

But I can hardly wait to get...

(Chorus):
Up in the morning, a new world is forming
Behind these tired eyes, I'm here and I'm breathing
Feel my heart beating, lucky to be alive

We'll see, could be, the check is in the mail
Or up on the slide that ends inside the belly of the whale
I've known the answered prayer, I've thought no one was there
It seems to clear the air, when I get...

(repeat chorus)

(Bridge):
I don't care if there's rain or a blue sky
Only know I survive, surprise, yeah-ah-ah-ah-ah

I whistle in the dark, another broken heart
I see the red sea part, when I get...

(repeat chorus)
(repeat bridge)
(repeat chorus)

Alive, yeah-ah-ah-ah
Yeah-ah-ah-ah-ah

Good morning...
Good morning...
Good morning...
Good morning...
Good morning...

Good morning...
Good morning...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Up in the Morning" by Lost Dogs describe a sense of hope and optimism. The singer acknowledges the struggle of the past and the possibility of more hardship in the future. However, he chooses to focus on the present, feeling grateful for each day he gets to wake up and experience life. He kisses his wife and kids goodbye and sets off to live the day. The stranger he will meet might become a friend and something new and exciting might happen to him. The singer has known heartbreak, danger, and disappointment, but he still keeps going, trusting that life will give him more surprises and that all will be well.

The chorus is about the joy of being alive and the wonder of what lies ahead. The singer is open to new experiences, ready to face the challenges, and not afraid of the unknown. The bridge emphasizes that the singer appreciates life, regardless of what happens. He may have his share of heartbreaks and disappointments, but he is grateful for every moment he gets.

The song "Up in the Morning" is an excellent example of folk-rock with its guitar-driven melody, harmonies, and simple chord structures. It is a part of the Lost Dogs' album "The Green Room Serenade Part One," which was released in 2003. The album features the collaboration between Doghouse Records' artists Terry Scott Taylor, Derri Daugherty, Michael Roe, and Steve Hindalong.

Line by Line Meaning

Daybreak I'm half awake today is all there is
It's morning and I'm partially awake; living in the present moment.

I'll be out the door but not before I've kissed the wife and kids
I won't leave home without showing love and affection to my family.

I whistled in the dark, I've known the broken heart, I've seen the red sea part
I have faced challenging moments in life, but I've found my way through them.

Now, this sunlight just might turn strangers into friends
Happiness and positivity can bring people together.

A surprise for sore eyes another place I've never been
Discovering new places and experiences can be exciting and refreshing.

Might feel old Earth shake, could miss that lucky break, But I can hardly wait to get...
There may be obstacles and missed opportunities, but I'm still eager to face the day.

(Chorus): Up in the morning, a new world is forming, Behind these tired eyes, I'm here and I'm breathing, Feel my heart beating, lucky to be alive
Every day is a new beginning with endless possibilities, and I'm grateful for the chance to live and experience it.

We'll see, could be, the check is in the mail, Or up on the slide that ends inside the belly of the whale
Anything is possible, even unexpected good fortune or challenges.

I've known the answered prayer, I've thought no one was there, It seems to clear the air, when I get...
Even in moments of doubt, I have found hope and clarity.

(Bridge): I don't care if there's rain or a blue sky, Only know I survive, surprise, yeah-ah-ah-ah-ah
I am resilient and grateful for the chance to experience all of life's surprises, regardless of the circumstances.

(repeat chorus)
Every day is a new beginning, and I'm thankful to be alive to experience it.

(repeat bridge)
I'm grateful for the chance to keep going, whatever life may bring.

(repeat chorus)
Every day is a new beginning, and I'm thankful to be alive to experience it.

Alive, yeah-ah-ah-ah, Yeah-ah-ah-ah-ah, Good morning...
I'm alive and well, and grateful for the chance to experience another day.

Contributed by Isaiah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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