After the guys worked on their sound for a while, inspired by gritty rock n roll, they finally recorded and released their first album, 1978's 'Molly Hatchet'. Then, in 1979, 'Flirtin' with Disaster' came out. The group's work earned them both critical praise and commerical success, the album hitting the #19 slot on the Billboard top 200 chart. Allmusic's Rob Theakston has spoken for many in writing that the "tour de force" of a record shows that " the band means business".
Yet the group's history would prove to be a rocky one. In 1980, Brown left the group to form The Danny Joe Brown Band (with future Molly Hatchet guitarist Bobby Ingram). He was replaced by vocalist Jimmy Farrar. After the release of Beatin' the Odds in 1980 and Take No Prisoners in 1981, Farrar left as well.
Brown rejoined the band in 1982 and Banner Thomas left and was replaced by Riff West. In 1983, a new album was released titled No Guts... No Glory. Steve Holland left and was replaced by keyboardist John Galvin.
In 1984 came the release of a new album The Deed Is Done. In 1985 Dave Hlubek left and he was replaced by Bobby Ingram. Then in 1985, the double live album Double Trouble Live was released.
The band continued to tour regularly, and then in 1989 the album Lightning Strikes Twice was released.
1990s
In 1991, the greatest hits collection Greatest Hits was released. Molly Hatchet was in ways similar to fellow Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd in that it paired strong guitar work with a pounding boogie beat. When Brown left the band after Flirtin' with Disaster and was replaced by Farrar, the band's sound turned more to jamming and free form. When Brown returned in time for No Guts...No Glory, the original sound returned as well.
In 1996 due to a stroke and illness Brown had to leave the band, bringing in lead singer Phil McCormack to finish the album Devils Canyon in 1996.
At this point, the band consisted of members: vocalist Phil McCormack, guitarists Bobby Ingram and Bryan Bassett, keyboardist John Galvin, bassist Andy McKinney, and drummer Mac Crawford.
In 1998 Silent Reign Of Heroes was released. And in 1999 the band traveled coast to coast with Charlie Daniels and the Volunteer Jam.
2000s
In 2000, the album The Kingdom Of XII was released in Europe. The band went on tour to promote this album. It was released in the United States in 2001. Locked and Loaded (2003) and Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge (2005) followed. In January of 2005, Ingram invited Hlubek to rejoin Molly Hatchet and in doing so became the only current member who was a part of the original band.
On Thursday, March 10, 2005, after Brown was hospitalized for four weeks, he died less than an hour after returning to his home in Davie, Florida with his family and friends at his side, at the age of 53 from complications from pneumonia. He had previously left the group due to the suffering from a massive stroke in 1995 while driving to his brother's house. After a long battle with diabetes and the effects of the stroke, Brown was able to take the stage one last time at the Jammin' for DJB benefit concert in 1998 where with the help of his friends he ended the show with "Flirtin' with Disaster."
On Monday, June 19, 2006, founding guitarist Duane Roland died in St. Augustine, Florida at the age of 53. He had been playing with the band Gator Country, consisting of former members of Molly Hatchet, as late as May of 2006. His death was listed as being of "natural causes".
Bruce Crump (July 17, 1957 – March 16, 2015) was the original drummer from 1976 to 1983 (including their 1980 hit song "Flirtin' with Disaster" ) and 1984 to 1991. He also played as a member of Canadian band Streetheart in the early 1980s, and joined several of his former Molly Hatchet bandmates in the band Gator Country in the mid-2000s. At his death, Crump was in the Jacksonville, Florida-based band White Rhino and the newly reformed China Sky.
Bass guitarist Banner Thomas died of complications of pneumonia, at 63, on April 10, 2017.
Dave Hlubek died of a heart attack on September 3, 2017, at the age of 66.
Jimmy Farrar, who was frontman from 1980 to 1982, died of heart failure on October 29, 2018, at 67. Singer Phil McCormack died on April 26, 2019 at 58 (McCormack had been sidelined in early 2019, after suffering from health troubles that affected his voice andwas replaced by singer Jimmy Elkins, who continued on with Hatchet after McCormack's death).
Steve Holland, the last original member of Molly Hatchet, died on August 2, 2020.
The Journey
Molly Hatchet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daddy liked to roam leave Mama alone
She just couldn't tie him down
He liked his gambling and whiskey
And mama just liked to cook and sew
It made me a man before my time
I felt many a cold wind blow
Bought a farmhouse out in the sticks
Set by the fire most every night
Working on my guitar licks
Before too long I was on my way
Playing from town to town
I guess I'm a little like Daddy was
Gotta keep on moving around
[Chorus:]
This journey takes me far away from home
Sometimes it makes me feel so alone
So alone
Now I look back on yesterday
Wondering what I'd done
Did I help somebody along the way
Or did I just look out for number one
I know I can't change a thing
So don't put me down
Cause I didn't cling to your heart
Oh I feel like dying when we're apart
This journey takes me far away from home
With nothing left to hold on to
But a voice from the telephone
It's taken me away from every love I've ever known
Sometimes it makes me feel so alone
So alone
Molly Hatchet's "The Journey" is a powerful song that tells the story of a man's life journey. The song's lyrics are beautifully written and are filled with emotion, and the music is equally powerful, with a combination of rock and country sounds that add to the song's impact.
The first verse of the song describes the singer's origins from a troubled family where his father had a gambling problem and a taste for whiskey. Despite his mother's best efforts to keep the family together, his father's habits made him leave their home often. The second verse shows the singer's resolve to make a better life for himself, investing his hard-earned money into renovating and living in a farmhouse located in a remote area. The third verse depicts how music becomes an essential part of his life, and he starts performing in different towns.
The chorus of the song describes the loneliness the singer feels every time he travels, leaving his past and loved ones behind. The final verse is particularly reflective as the singer looks at his life, pondering whether he achieved anything of lasting significance. The lyrics describe the sacrifice he made to pursue his dream of performing, leaving behind those he loved and wondering if it was all worth it.
One of the most interesting things about "The Journey" is that it was the last song Molly Hatchet recorded with the band's founding member, Danny Joe Brown, who died in 2005. Another remarkable fact about the song is that it was written by Bobby Ingram after he lost his brother, with the lyrics reflecting his brother's spirit and inspiration in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born one rainy morning in a little house across town
I came into this world in a humble abode on a gloomy day
Daddy liked to roam leave Mama alone
My father had wanderlust that kept him from settling down, leaving my mother to fend for herself
She just couldn't tie him down
My mother couldn't make my father stay put in one place
He liked his gambling and whiskey
My father had a fondness for games of chance and alcohol
And mama just liked to cook and sew
My mother found joy in culinary arts and needlework
It made me a man before my time
Their lifestyles forced me to mature rapidly beyond my age
I felt many a cold wind blow
I faced countless hardships and difficulties in my upbringing
Worked real hard most all of my life
I labored extensively throughout my existence
Bought a farmhouse out in the sticks
I acquired a far-flung residence in the rural countryside
Set by the fire most every night
I liked to relax by the hearth on most evenings
Working on my guitar licks
I practiced and refined my guitar-playing skills
Before too long I was on my way
Soon enough, I had hit the road
Playing from town to town
I performed my music in various localities
I guess I'm a little like Daddy was
I suppose I'm somewhat similar to how my father was
Gotta keep on moving around
I have to continue traveling and exploring
This journey takes me far away from home
My ventures take me too far places from my roots
Sometimes it makes me feel so alone
There are instances where I experience feelings of loneliness
Now I look back on yesterday
I reminisce about the past
Wondering what I'd done
I reflect on what I had accomplished
Did I help somebody along the way
Did I assist someone during my travels
Or did I just look out for number one
Or did I solely prioritize my own interests
I know I can't change a thing
I understand that I can't alter the past
So don't put me down
Thus, do not criticize me
Cause I didn't cling to your heart
For I wasn't deeply attached to you emotionally
Oh I feel like dying when we're apart
However, I feel intense anguish when we're separated
With nothing left to hold on to
With no mementos or keepsakes to retain
But a voice from the telephone
Aside from a voice from the other end of the line
It's taken me away from every love I've ever known
My expedition has distanced me from all the people I ever cherished
Sometimes it makes me feel so alone
The situation sometimes worsens my isolation
So alone
Thus, resulting in deep-seated loneliness
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: NILS LIEBICH, JULIAN N THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eraldkanxha3997
I was born one rainy morning in a little house across town
Daddy liked to roam leave Mama alone
She just couldn't tie him down
He liked his gambling and whiskey
And mama just liked to cook and sew
It made me a man before my time
I felt many a cold wind blow
Worked real hard most all of my life
Bought a farmhouse out in the sticks
Set by the fire most every night
Working on my guitar licks
Before too long I was on my way
Playing from town to town
I guess I'm a little like Daddy was
Gotta keep on moving around
This journey takes me far away from home
Sometimes it makes me feel so alone
So alone
Now I look back on yesterday
Wondering what I'd done
Did I help somebody along the way
Or did I just look out for number one
I know I can't change a thing
So don't put me down
Cause I didn't cling to your heart
Oh I feel like dying when we're apart
This journey takes me far away from home
With nothing left to hold on to
But a voice from the telephone
It's taken me away from every love I've ever known
Sometimes it makes me feel so alone
So alone
@MattiasA72
One of the best songs ever. If the solo hasn't got you playing air guitar, you're not normal.
@amazinggrace5503
I thought I was the only one who keeps thinking that same thing .
@amazinggrace5503
I ain't braggin , but this song has got my ass a waggin lol
@georgematthews3222
@@amazinggrace5503 me to at 78 and still rocking just a English fan
@rrahll
Definitely one of the best songs of all time
@coolroy4300
How can anyone who likes Molly Hatchet and southern Rock not love this ?
Open your mind and your ears this is great music my dears !!!
@coolroy4300
Definitely one of the best jams ever.
Back in the good ole days of multiple guitars players 🎸 guitar 🎸 guitar 🎸 Damn Straight!
@dougmarkus2730
One of my favourites Molly Hatchet ❤
@blackmorerules
One of my favorite songs in rock history...
@chiv705
I love all types of music. Metal. Rock. Rap. Top 40. Almost everything!! This song right here is one of the tops of all time. That ending guitar solo - what a masterpiece!! 🤘🏻