It was a song that dominated the airwaves and introduced country fans to the distinctive charms of the format's most eclectic new star. When he followed it up with the achingly poignant hit ballad She Doesnt Dance, it became apparent that country music had a new hitmaker with style and substance.
Just as McGuinns career was kicking into overdrive the unthinkable happened. His record label went out of business. Tied up with legal issues, he wasnt able to release music for several years. You cant, however, keep a great songwriter off the charts. So while he took a breather as a performer, he kept his writing chops in tip-top shape by penning the Lonestar hit Unusually Unusual.
When it came time to get back in the studio and record a new album, Marks maverick spirit exerted itself againafter careful consideration he made the decision to launch his own record label, Blue Flamingo Records. He co-found the label with veteran music publisher and songwriter Jim Foster (Meet In The Middle by Diamond Rio, Refried Dreams by Tim McGraw).
McGuinns latest album, One Man's Crazy, is an organic mix of country, pop, jazz and rock. It expounds upon the sounds found on his debut disc.
This album is more me, its similar to the last that in its eclectic, but its much more eclectic than the first recordings, says McGuinn, who co-produced the album and co-wrote all but one of the songs. I got a chance to play guitars, mandolins, and piano. Thats the major difference between this record and previous ones.
The new album is filled with songs of uncommon depth and intelligencetwo hallmarks of his distinct style. Its a showcase of a writer at the top of his game.
The emotional centerpiece of the album is current single More Beautiful Today. McGuinn and his band were on the west coast when the attacks of 9/11 took place. They watched the last commercial airplane land after the attacks. It was a moment of breathtaking beauty and unexpected serenity in the aftermath of unthinkable devastation. In the days that followed on the long trek back to Nashville in a rental car, McGuinn was able to find a sense of hope and put down in song a tender ode to Americas unbreakable spirit.
Throughout the rest of the album, McGuinn follows his muse wherever she fliesfrom straightforward modern country to jazz-infused folk. The one common thread is excellent songwriting.
One Man's Crazy is the title cut and its a song that says things about you and meabout us as humans, says Mark. We don't have to be alike or enjoy the same things and that's ok. Just be who you are. Its a way of saying one mans trash is another mans treasure, except in human terms.
Themes of life and its experiences are abundant throughout his current work. There are songs of love and loss, one of which is his duet with Georgette Jones (the only child of Tammy Wynette and George Jones). Their simple, haunting rendition of "Better a Painful Ending" echo traditional country break-up songs. "We Could Be" showcases McGuinn's versatility as he solos on the trumpet, the first instrument he ever learned to play.
He says, This one is mellow and jazzy and I get to play horn on it. Its a nod to an earlier era of songwriting that I love. I've written quite a number of songs in this style. I guess torchlight is what you'd call it.
One song in particular, Deep, has a special place in his heart. Its a song about embracing the deeper values that define a life well lived. Its a philosophy he wants to pass on.
This is more what people who call themselves traditionalist would consider a traditional country song with traditional instrumentation (except for the goat hooves), McGuinn. If there is one song I've ever written that I want my little one to take to heart its this one.
Marks never been afraid to push the boundaries as songwriter and performer. On this album he pushes the envelope sonically with Trampoline while still delivering a positive message.
This song is a little more hard edged in production style. It is a message of hope. No matter where we come from or what trials we endure, find something and believe in it with all your heart. Youve got to find the thing that lifts you up, your trampoline.
McGuinn was born and raised in Greensboro, NC and attended Appalachian State University where he played soccer while he pursued a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Mark says his most memorable experiences playing soccer were, Preparing for the season. I loved the little things like perfecting my skills; working out and feeling myself get into shape. Its a lot like the routine that you go through for performing and writing songs.
While it would have been easy to vanish along with his label 4 years ago, Mark McGuinn chose to take his experiences and meld them into his music, composing, performing, and producing a CD as engaging as his debut, but more musically complex and mature. Indeed, it is a reflection of the man and artist he has since become.
No Way
Mark McGuinn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So she drove whenever they went out
Her daddy owned half the town
He's in the slammer now
And that's raised up a few eyebrows
When they drove through town with the top rolled down
Everybody shook their head
When her daddy found out who she was hanging around
No way, you must be out of your mind
No way, I'm only gonna tell you one time
She didn't give in
'Cause she loved him
When her daddy told her, No Way
He bought a little rock from a little pawnshop
Put it on her little hand one day
Her daddy hated it so they flew to Vegas
And Elvis had to give her away
Her daddy told her, girl you can be sure
I'll write you right out of this will
If you don't leave him we'll never speak again
And still she said
No way, you must be out of your mind
No way, I'm only gonna tell you one time
She didn't give in
'Cause she loved him
Told her daddy, no way
Dropped a quarter in the slot
The day they tied the knot
Guess what, hit the jackpot
Now they got more money than her daddy's got
No way, you must be out of your mind
No way, I'm only gonna tell you one time
She didn't give in
'Cause she loves him
Told her Daddy, no way
The song "No Way" by Mark McGuinn tells the story of a couple who faces opposition from the girl's father because of the class differences between them. The girl drives a red Corvette while the boy drives a blue Chevette, and her father is a prominent figure in their town who disapproves of their relationship. When her father finds out about the relationship, he threatens to disown her and cut her out of the will if she doesn't leave him. Despite all this, the girl remains committed to the boy and doesn't give in to her father's demands.
The lyrics highlight the struggle that some couples face because of societal pressure and the expectations of their families. The girl's father represents the traditional and conservative values that are often prevalent in small towns, and he simply cannot accept the fact that his daughter is in love with someone who is not from a similar background. However, the girl's determination to stay with the boy shows that love can break through these barriers and overcome the obstacles that stand in its way.
Line by Line Meaning
She drove a red Corvette, he drove a blue Chevette
She had a cool car and he had a not-so-cool car
So she drove whenever they went out
She preferred to drive on their outings
Her daddy owned half the town
Her father was a wealthy and powerful figure in their town
He's in the slammer now
Her father is in jail now
And that's raised up a few eyebrows
People were surprised and suspicious of her connection to her jailed father
When they drove through town with the top rolled down
When they drove around town in her convertible with the roof down
Everybody shook their head
People disapproved of their relationship
When her daddy found out who she was hanging around
When her father discovered who she was spending time with
He looked at her and said
Her father spoke to her with disapproval and warning
No way, you must be out of your mind
Her father adamantly opposes her relationship
No way, I'm only gonna tell you one time
Her father makes it clear that he won't tolerate her defiance
She didn't give in
She didn't back down or abandon her relationship
'Cause she loved him
She was in love with him
He bought a little rock from a little pawnshop
He bought her an engagement ring from a pawnshop
Put it on her little hand one day
He put the engagement ring on her finger one day
Her daddy hated it so they flew to Vegas
Her father didn't approve of the engagement so they went to Vegas to get married
And Elvis had to give her away
They had Elvis Presley give her away at the wedding
Her daddy told her, girl you can be sure
Her father warned her that if she didn't end things with him, she'd be cut out of the inheritance
I'll write you right out of this will
She wouldn't receive any inheritance if she didn't end things with him
If you don't leave him we'll never speak again
Her father made it clear that he would cut all ties with her if she didn't end things with him
And still she said
Despite her father's warnings, she didn't give in
Dropped a quarter in the slot
They got married in Vegas in a simple and inexpensive way
The day they tied the knot
The day they got married
Guess what, hit the jackpot
They ended up winning big in life and love despite the obstacles they faced
Now they got more money than her daddy's got
They surpassed her father's wealth and status in life
Told her Daddy, no way
She refused to listen to her father's disapproval and stood by her choice to be with him
Lyrics © DistroKid, Ultra Tunes, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK A. MCGUINN, TREY MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind