Early life
Mila's mother, Diane, was a singer who had performed in Las Vegas, Nevada and toured throughout Europe. When Mila was seventeen years old, she and her mother moved to Nashville, Tennessee. It was there that Mason decided to pursue a career in songwriting. She later took up a job as a demo singer, before being discovered by record producer Blake Mevis in 1993. In turn, Mevis sent some of Mason's material to Bryan Switzer, who was then the vice president of Atlantic Records.
Music career
In 1996, Mason was signed to Atlantic Records, with her debut single "That's Enough of That" reaching Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. An album of the same name followed soon afterward, producing two more singles: a #21-peaking cover of Canadian singer Amanda Marshall's "Dark Horse", followed by "That's the Kinda Love (That I'm Talking About)" at #59.
Mason released her second album, The Strong One, in 1998. This album produced a #31 in lead-off single "Closer to Heaven", followed by the title track at #57 and then "This Heart" which failed to chart. Dissatisfied by the direction that her career had taken, Mila exited Atlantic's roster in 1998, taking time off to work on her songwriting. She also married Jason Grainger in the early 2000s, and co-wrote Mindy McCready's 2002 single "Maybe, Maybe Not".
By 2003, she signed to the independent Twinbeat Records label, recording the album Stained Glass Window. Grainger contributed to several of the songs on this album. This album also included her own version of "Maybe, Maybe Not." She also became one of the first songwriters signed to the Nashville division of the Brumley Music Group, an independent country music and gospel music publishing company.
Major Rising
In July 2007, Mila was one of several artists to contribute to an inspirational single called "Dare the World". Other artists on the single include Kevin Sharp, John Berry, Mark Collie, Linda Davis and Bryan White.
Dark Horse
Mila Mason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Abilene
You were new in town
I was nineteen
And sparks flew
They called us crazy
Behind our backs
We just let them laugh
Because we knew
It may be a long shot
We may be lonely down the line
But love knows no reason
And I won't let them make up my mind
My love is riding on this dark horse baby
My heart is saying it's the lucky one
And it's true color's gonna shine through someday
If we let this, let this dark horse run
Stars are brighter
In the desert sky
No need to wonder or justify
Where this will lead
I wear your locket
Our picture's inside
Inscription says "The joy's in the ride"
And I believe
Something so sacred
Is something worth this kind of fight
'Cause love knows no patience
You can't please everyone all the time
My love is riding on this dark horse baby
My heart is saying it's the lucky one
And it's true color's gonna shine through someday
If we let this, let this dark horse run
My love is riding on this dark horse baby
My heart is saying it's the lucky one
And it's true color's gonna shine through someday
If we let this, let this dark horse
My love is riding on this dark horse baby
My heart is saying it's the lucky one
And it's true color's gonna shine through someday
If we let this, let this dark horse run
Indian summer
Abilene
You were new in town
I was nineteen
The song "Dark Horse" by Mila Mason tells the story of two young lovers who are facing opposition and criticism from their community, but choose to follow their hearts and fight for their relationship. The lyrics begin with a reference to an Indian summer in Abilene, establishing a setting for the romance to unfold. The singer, who is nineteen years old, meets a new resident in town, and the two quickly fall in love. Despite others calling them "crazy" and "romantic fools," they are determined to see their relationship through.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's commitment to her lover, describing her love as "riding on a dark horse." She believes that their love is the "lucky one" and that it will eventually reveal its true colors. The lyrics also touch on the challenges of maintaining a relationship, describing it as a "kind of fight" that is worth fighting for. The singer rejects the idea that she should let others make up her mind about her relationship and instead asserts her own agency to decide what is right for her and her partner.
Overall, "Dark Horse" is a song about the power of love and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. It acknowledges that relationships can be difficult and that outsiders may not always understand or support them, but it affirms that love is worth the struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Indian summer
The singer met her lover during a warm fall in Abilene, Texas.
Abilene
The town in Texas where the singer met her lover.
You were new in town
The singer's lover had just arrived in Abilene when they met.
I was nineteen
The artist was nineteen years old at the time she met her lover.
And sparks flew
The artist and her lover hit it off immediately and had chemistry.
They called us crazy
Other people in the town thought the singer and her lover were foolish for falling in love so quickly.
Behind our backs
The town's people did not express these thoughts to their faces.
"Romantic fools"
The townspeople thought the artist and her lover were foolish for being in love.
We just let them laugh
The artist and her lover didn't care what others thought and continued to be in love despite the judgement.
Because we knew
The artist and her lover knew that their love was true and worth fighting for.
It may be a long shot
The singer knows that their love may not work out in the long run and there are risks involved.
We may be lonely down the line
The artist fears that they might end up alone, but they are willing to take the risk for love.
But love knows no reason
Love doesn't follow rational rules and is not dictated by common sense.
And I won't let them make up my mind
The singer will not let other people decide whether or not she should be with her lover.
My love is riding on this dark horse baby
The singer's love is uncertain and risky, like betting on an underdog racehorse.
My heart is saying it's the lucky one
The artist's heart tells her that her love could be the one in a million that succeeds.
And it's true color's gonna shine through someday
The strength and authenticity of their love will eventually be evident to others.
If we let this, let this dark horse run
If they stay committed to each other and don't give up on their love, they may succeed in the end.
Stars are brighter
The singer is emphasizing the beauty of the desert at night, when the stars are more vivid than in the city.
In the desert sky
The artist is in the desert with her lover, enjoying the beauty of nature together.
No need to wonder or justify
The artist feels no need to explain her love or constantly question it, as it simply exists and is real.
Where this will lead
The artist is unsure of where their love will go, but she remains optimistic and positive.
I wear your locket
The singer has a locket that her lover gave her, showing that they are committed to each other.
Our picture's inside
The locket contains a picture of the couple, symbolizing their love and unity.
Inscription says "The joy's in the ride"
The inscription on the locket means that the process of being in love and being together is joyful, even if there are bumps in the road.
And I believe
The singer has faith in their love and believes that it can overcome any challenges.
Something so sacred
The singer's love is sacred and important to her.
Is something worth this kind of fight
The artist is willing to fight for her love, no matter how hard it is.
'Cause love knows no patience
Love cannot be rushed or controlled; it will happen in its own time.
You can't please everyone all the time
The singer realizes that not everyone will approve of their love, and she cannot waste time trying to please them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Amanda Marshall, Dean McTaggart, David Michael Tyson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M Upton
Senior year in high school. 1997... Beautiful song. Love it now just as much as I loved it then. Brilliant rendition of an amazing song... Bravo Mila.
Sparkle Sparkle
My senior year too!! ❤️
wishiniwasfishin81
I was a sophomore that year :)
Saxon Webb
I was in fourth grade back then. Mila was at a show in Tennessee called Country Tonite LIVE in 2005 and she did this and That's Enough of That!
enoch289
Ha yes my senior year of high school to getting ready for my 20 year reunion this August loved this song then have not heard it in probably 19 years.
Dennis Mevis
My brother produced and started Mila’s career. Mila is a fabulous lady. Such a unique voice.
Mr. Theta
She has the voice, definitely.I have no idea why she she didn't skyrocket. Was it the band or songwriters? I don't know. Such an amazing voice.
Drew Kelley -WOOF
Saw her 22 times live , she is amazing and deserves to have tons of number one hits !!!
Crosswinds
Mila what a gem this is. You do this song the best. The sounds are wonderful. Keep creating good music. All the best.
euro Sami
I love this song! so many memories! I have this CD!