Raised in Atlanta, Texas, in Cass County, Nat Stuckey attended Arlington State College, where he earned a radio and television degree. Nat established himself as a radio announcer, first at Radio Station KALT in Atlanta, Texas, then at Radio Station KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. While at KWKH, Nat became a member of the Louisiana Hayride and the last major act with beginning roots from the Hayride.
He became a hit songwriter after he co-wrote Buck Owens' number-one single "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" in 1965. Following this song, Stuckey wrote and recorded "Sweet Thang" on Paula Records.
Another of Stuckey's compositions, "Pop a Top", was recorded by Jim Ed Brown on RCA Records in 1967. A year later, Stuckey signed with RCA himself. Among his hits for RCA were "Plastic Saddle" and "Sweet Thing and Cisco".
Stuckey teamed with Connie Smith on the duet of "Young Love", followed by another single and two albums. The duo was in the final nominations for a Grammy for their version of "Whispering Hope".
After seven years with RCA, Stuckey signed with MCA Records. With Conway Twitty and David Barnes producing, his single "Sun Comin' Up" made the top 20, but none of his other MCA releases did. He last charted in 1978 with the number 26 single "The Days of Sand and Shovels".
Stuckey also went on to direct in producing sessions, along with announcing and singing jingles on hundreds of regional and national commercials. He wrote two jingles for Coca-Cola in the l970's, recorded twenty-two spots of McDonald's, and was the singing voice on the last Spuds MacKenzie commercial for Budweiser. He continued recording jingles into the 1980s.
Another project was the ownership of Music Row Talent, Inc., a booking agency in Nashville, which was in business for twelve years. Through his Texas Promise Land Development Company, Nat began acquiring land in Tennessee and Texas.
Shortly before Stuckey's death, Randy Travis released "Diggin' Up Bones", which Stuckey co-wrote.
One More Time
Nat Stuckey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the train just arrivin' that'll take me as far as fourteen dollars can
But the train won't take me far enough it never has before
I've got to find how far her memory reaches then go one mile more
I ain't never found a mountain that was high enough or a hole too dark and deep
Cause if I lose her mem'ry in a bottle of wine she finds me in my sleep
[ guitar ]
I think of me and that old suitcase places we've both been
And when I'll ride my money up and they won't let me ride no more
Then I'll wait by the track for a slow moving freight and watch for an open door
I ain't never found a mountain...
She finds me in my sleep she finds me in my sleep
The Nat Stuckey song "One More Mile" is a poignant tale of a man trying to forget his lost love by traveling as far away as his budget allows. The first two lines describe the singer's physical journey - a train ticket in his hand and an old beat-up suitcase on the platform. However, the third line reveals the real journey he is on - trying to escape the weight of his memories. He knows that taking the train won't be enough, as it has failed to take him far enough before. He needs to find out how far his ex-lover's memory reaches so that he can go a mile further.
The singer's determination is evident in the line "I ain't never found a mountain that was high enough or a hole too dark and deep," suggesting that he has searched high and low to escape the pain of his lost love. However, he knows that no matter where he goes, her memory will always find him, even if he tries to drown it in alcohol. The final line, "she finds me in my sleep," emphasizes the inescapable nature of his memories, haunting him even in his dreams.
Overall, "One More Mile" is a powerful testament to the lasting impact of lost love and the way it can follow us no matter how far we run. Nat Stuckey's emotive delivery of the lyrics reinforces the sense of desperation and longing that the song conveys.
Line by Line Meaning
Old beatup suitcase on the platform a train ticket in my hand
Narrator has an old, worn suitcase and a train ticket, standing on the station platform
And the train just arrivin' that'll take me as far as fourteen dollars can
The arriving train ticket is budgeted only for fourteen dollars
But the train won't take me far enough it never has before
The train has never gone far enough before, leaving the singer seeking more
I've got to find how far her memory reaches then go one mile more
The artist wants to find the extent of his lost lover's memory and go beyond it by one mile
I ain't never found a mountain that was high enough or a hole too dark and deep
Nothing is too difficult for the artist to overcome in pursuit of his lost lover
Cause if I lose her mem'ry in a bottle of wine she finds me in my sleep
Even after drinking, the singer cannot forget his lost lover and sees her in his dreams
[ guitar ]
Instrumental break
I think of me and that old suitcase places we've both been
The artist thinks about traveling with his suitcase and lost lover
Down the rails and the jails and the cheap hotels now we're gone again
They have traveled by train, been incarcerated, and stayed in low-budget hotels, but have parted ways
And when I'll ride my money up and they won't let me ride no more
The artist's money will run out, and he'll no longer be allowed to ride the train
Then I'll wait by the track for a slow moving freight and watch for an open door
He will wait for a slow-moving train and look for an opportunity to hop on
I ain't never found a mountain...
Reiteration of the previous stanza
She finds me in my sleep she finds me in my sleep
The lost lover continues to haunt the singer, appearing in his dreams
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sharon Pemberton
on Pop a Top
I don't think Stuckey wrote the origional. Can you verify?