Marion Bandy was born and grew up in Meridian, Mississippi, hometown of the country singer Jimmie Rodgers. He later stated: "My grandfather worked on the railroads with Jimmie Rodgers. He was the boss of the railway yard in Meridian and Jimmie Rodgers worked for him. He said that he played his guitar all the time between work."
He was nicknamed Moe by his father when he was a child. The Bandy family moved to San Antonio, Texas when Moe was six. His mother played piano and sang. Bandy was taught to play the guitar by his father who had a country band called the Mission City Playboys, but made little use of the ability until he was in his teens. His father's wish that Moe also play the fiddle never materialized.
He made some appearances with the Mission City Playboys but generally during his high school years he showed little interest in music and a great deal of interest in rodeos. He tried bronco-busting and bull riding and by the time he was 16, both he and his brother Mike were competing in rodeos all over Texas.
In 1962, tired of the bruises and fractured bones, he began to pursue a career in country music. He assembled a band that he called Moe And The Mavericks and found work playing small beer joints, honky-tonks, and clubs over a wide area around San Antonio. When he was young he tried to sound like Hank Williams and George Jones - "I even had my hair cut short like his."
Although work was plentiful, the pay was poor and during the day he worked for his father as a sheet metal worker, a job that lasted for 12 years, during which time he made a few recordings for various small labels. In 1964, he had his first single, "Lonely Girl", on the San Antonio based Satin label, but it made little impression. He did manage to get his band a residency on a local television program called Country Corner and in this capacity, he provided backing for several touring stars.
In 1973, he went solo when record producer Ray Baker, who had listened to his demos, suggested that he come to Nashville, Tennessee. Moe Bandy obtained a loan and recorded a song called "I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today". Initially released on Footprint Records with a limited pressing of 500 copies, it soon came to the attention of the Atlanta-based GRC label. In March 1974, it entered the US country chart, eventually peaking at number 17. Other minor hits followed, including "It Was Always So Easy To Find An Unhappy Woman (Till I Started Looking For Mine)" and "Don't Anyone Make Love At Home Anymore".
In 1975, a song written by his friend Lefty Frizzell and Whitey Shaffer gave him a number 7 country hit, firmly establishing his reputation. "Bandy The Rodeo Clown" was to become not only one of his own favorites but also one of his most popular recordings. (Shaffer was greatly amused by the way Bandy pronounced woman as "woh-min", and began to send him songs with the "woh-min" in them.)
Bandy sang in a simple style that extracted the utmost from his songs of lost love, sadness, and life. Although by no means a Hank Williams sound-alike, his method of putting across his honky-tonk songs showed the distinct influence of Williams. He met with immediate success at Columbia Records with Paul Craft's "Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life" and quickly added further hits, including "Here I Am Drunk Again".
From 1977 through 1979, he was a country chart regular with singles such as "I'm Sorry For You, My Friend" (the song Williams had written for their mutual friend Lefty Frizzell), "Cowboys Ain't Supposed To Cry", "That's What Makes The Jukebox Play", and a duet with Janie Fricke, "It's A Cheating Situation".
In 1979, he achieved his first solo number 1 with "I Cheated Me Right Out of You".
That same year, in 1979, Bandy joined forces with Joe Stampley and recorded a tongue in cheek novelty single: "Just Good Ol' Boys". The song went on to top the country chart and it led to a continuation of their partnership. The duo, commonly known as "Moe and Joe", had more novelty hits between 1979 and 1985, including "Holding The Bag", "Tell Ole I Ain't Here", and "Hey Joe (Hey Moe)". In 1984, they ran into copyright problems with their parody of the then-current Boy George/Culture Club phenomenon: "Where's The Dress" used the guitar-riff introduction from Culture Club's hit "Karma Chameleon".
During the 1980s, Bandy maintained a steady line of solo successes, including "Yesterday Once More", "Rodeo Romeo", "She's Not Really Cheatin' (She's Just Gettin' Even)", and "Till I'm Too Old To Die Young".
Bandy also registered duet successes with Judy Bailey ("Following The Feeling") and Becky Hobbs ("Let's Get Over Them Together"). Over the years, he maintained a touring schedule estimated at 250 to 300 days a year and appeared on numerous network television shows. In later years, he cut back considerably on his schedule. He was never a regular Grand Ole Opry member, but has made guest appearances from time to time.
Bandy summed up his music when he said, "I really think my songs are about life. There's cheating, drinking and divorcing going on everywhere and that's what hardcore country music is all about." He added: "If I'd done all the things I sing about, I'd be dead."
Critics reviewing some of his later recordings wrote that it was strange that at a time when more artists were actually recording his type of music, some of his recordings were spoiled by string and/or choir arrangements, and advised that an immediate return to his roots was necessary. Bandy opened his popular Americana Theatre in Branson, Missouri in 1991 and performs frequently there.
Moe, along with his brother, Mike Bandy, a six time NFR bull riding qualifier, were inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2007.
I Still Love You in the Same Old Way
Moe Bandy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A-wearin' bobby socks and old blue jeans
That was long ago, so I'd like to say
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
I love you in the same old way
Mmmmmm, I remember when we used to babysit your brother
And who was watching us?
That was long ago and I'd like to say
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
I love you in the same old way
Now, heaven, I'm in heaven again
And I still remember where and when
And I love you, you still love me, hah
And that's the way its gonna be
Ah, I remember when we were in school
A-learning how to live by the golden rule
That was long ago and I'd like to say
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
I love you in the same old way
Ho!
Mmmmmm, heaven, I'm in heaven again
And I still remember where and when
I still love you, you know you love me
And that's the way its gonna be
Ho! I remember when we used to be in school
A-learning how to live by the golden rule
That was long ago and I'd like to say
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
Moe Bandy's song "I Still Love You The Same Ol' Way" is a nostalgic look back at a long-lasting relationship. The lyrics describe the memories of the early days of the relationship, when they were teenagers wearing blue jeans and bobby socks. They reminisce about babysitting, being watched over by the girl's parents, and learning the golden rule in school. Throughout it all, the singer proclaims his unwavering love, saying that he still loves her in the same old way.
The repeated refrain of "heaven, I'm in heaven again" suggests that the memory of those early days brings the singer a great sense of joy and happiness, and that the love he felt then is still alive and well in their relationship. The song captures the comfort and familiarity of a long-term commitment, the way that even after years together, the love can still feel as fresh and exciting as it did in the beginning.
Overall, "I Still Love You The Same Ol' Way" is a sweet and tender tribute to a lasting love, and an ode to the power of nostalgia to keep the flame of love burning bright even after many years.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember when we used to be in our teens
Back when we were young and carefree
A-wearin' bobby socks and old blue jeans
Dressed in the fashion of the time
That was long ago, so I'd like to say
It's been a while, but I still feel the same
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
My love for you hasn't changed
Mmmmmm, I remember when we used to babysit your brother
Remembrance of the good old days spent together
And who was watching us?
Reflecting on the people who were responsible for us at the time
Your father and mother
It was our parents who were keeping an eye on us
Now, heaven, I'm in heaven again
Feeling blissful and content once more
And I still remember where and when
I can vividly recall the details of our past
And I love you, you still love me, hah
Our feelings for each other remain the same
And that's the way its gonna be
Our love is unchanging and will continue to be so
Ah, I remember when we were in school
Thinking back to our time in education
A-learning how to live by the golden rule
We were taught to treat others the way we would like to be treated
Ho!
An expression of excitement or agreement
Mmmmmm, heaven, I'm in heaven again
Feeling renewed happiness
And I still remember where and when
Our past memories are still fresh in my mind
I still love you, you know you love me
Our love is mutual
And that's the way its gonna be
Our love is and will always be constant
Ho! I remember when we used to be in school
Another happy reflection of our school days
A-learning how to live by the golden rule
Emphasizing our moral education
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
My love for you endures and remains the same
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
Repeat affirmation of my unchanging love
I love you in the same old way, uh-hah
Final declaration of my love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: VIRG WARNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel Burns
this song went to #19 on the country charts in 1983!!!
Lasse 1964
moe bandy he was one of the 30 greatest country male artist of the last century
Ruth Boykin
Love Moe and saw this in the sidebar had to listen again! Thanks for having it D.!
Jenny Sauvola
Thanks darl,beautiful song,that’s the first time that I’ve heard it.
graham bull
Moe is magic!...when I heard his first single in 1974,I was poleaxed!...just watched him sing “I’ve done everything Hank Williams did but die!” on Larry’s Diner,2015...talk about a lived in face!
Marryann Lamb
Thanks Bill Great song . Have a safe night stay warm . Still waiting on the snow❄️❄️❄️❄️ and praying 🙏 🙏🙏🙏 it don't snow much.
Keith Kimmey
Thanks nice song from Moe Bandy thumbs up,Keith
Marryann Lamb
@Keith Kimmey thanks Keith it been snowing here all day too
Keith Kimmey
@Marryann Lamb Hi Marryann been snowing here since 9 30 am or so God Bless You too will say hi to Gen Kat lives in another town but will tell her when I see her Cheers,Keith
Marryann Lamb
Hi Keith. Hope your staying warm Dear friend . Tell Gen and Kathleen hi for me. GOD bless you. Mary Ann nj