Born in Leno, Tennessee, Wright, as a youngster, began singing in the church. In 1956, while still in high school, he joined The Sunset Travelers as one of the lead singers for the gospel group. He later fronted a gospel music group, the Harmony Echoes. It was during this time that he was discovered (along with James Carr) by Roosevelt Jamison a songwriter and manager. Their first pop recording in 1964 was "That's How Strong My Love Is," a ballad later covered by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. It was issued on Goldwax, the label Wright signed to after leaving his gospel career. It was later determined that Don Robey still had him under a recording contract, due to his gospel group having recorded for Peacock. After his contract was shifted to Don Robey’s Back Beat label, further R&B hits followed. Working with record producer Willie Mitchell, success continued on songs including "Ace of Spades" and "A Nickel and a Nail".
Wright's hits were much more popular in the deep South. His biggest hits were "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" (R&B #6, 1965), "Eight Men, Four Women" (R&B #4, 1967) "Ace of Spades" (R&B #11, 1970), "A Nickel and a Nail" (R&B #19, 1971). The remainder of his 17 hits charted higher than #20 on the R&B charts.
However, Wright was imprisoned for narcotics offenses during the mid-1970s, and, despite signing for Hi Records and releasing a series of recordings, his commercial success failed to recover after his release. A continuing drug problem weakened his health and he died from a heart attack, in Mobile, Alabama at age 41.
Wright is among the most remembered voices of soul music, perhaps mostly for being sampled frequently in hip hop music. In 1996, his song, "Motherless Child" was sampled on the Ghostface Killah album Ironman on a song also called "Motherless Child." It and another Wright recording, "Let's Straighten It Out" have been published on Shaolin Soul, a compilation of tracks that have been sampled by the Wu Tang Clan and its members. "Let's Straighten It Out" was sampled in a Wu-Tang Clan song called "America" from the charity compilation album America Is Dying Slowly. "Ace of Spades" was sampled by Slim Thug and the Boss Hogg Outlawz on a song named "Recognize A Playa".
Johnny Rawls joined Wright's backing band in the mid-1970s, and played together with Wright until the latter's death in 1980. The band then continued billed as the O.V. Wright Band for another 13 years, and toured and performed with other musicians over this time span. These included B.B. King, Little Milton, Bobby Bland, Little Johnny Taylor, and Blues Boy Willie.
I'm Going Home
O.V. Wright Lyrics
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Goodbye
Was all I had to say
Now I
I want to come again and stay
Oh my my
Smile, and that will mean I may
'Cause I've seen blue skies
And I realize I'm going home
I'm going home
Everywhere, it's been the same
Feeling
Like I'm outside in the rain
Wheeling
Free to try and find a game
Dealing
Cards for sorrow
Cards for pain
'Cause I've seen blue skies
Through the tears in my eyes
And I realize I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home
I'm going home
The lyrics of O.V. Wright's "I'm Going Home" speak about a journey from a place of despair to a place of hope. The song starts with the singer bidding farewell to a place where he has been unhappy, saying goodbye without any expression of regret. However, as he moves away from that place, he realizes that he wants to return - this time, to stay. He acknowledges that he has seen both good and bad times, with the blue skies of hope shining through the tears of his past sorrows. He experiences a sense of belonging that he has missed in his travels, a desire to be home again.
The second verse of the song goes on to describe the challenges he has faced in his journey. He feels like he has been outside in the rain, wheeling through life with no direction. But now, he feels free to try and find a game, and he deals with the cards of sorrow and pain that have been dealt to him. Through it all, he has seen the blue skies and come to the realization that he is finally going home. He repeats the phrase "I'm going home" several times in a final assertion of the strong desire in his heart to return to where he belongs.
Overall, "I'm Going Home" is a powerful expression of hope and a desire to return to a place of comfort and belonging. Its straightforward lyrics and simple melody make for a heartfelt and accessible message of positivity and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
On the day I went away
When I left that day
Goodbye
That was the only thing I said
Now I
But now
I want to come again and stay
I want to come back and stay here
Oh my my
I'm so excited about it
Smile, and that will mean I may
If I smile, I hope I'll be able to stay
'Cause I've seen blue skies
Because I've experienced good times
Through the tears in my eyes
Despite having cried
And I realize I'm going home
I understand that I'll be back where I belong
Everywhere, it's been the same
No matter where I've been
Feeling
I felt like
Like I'm outside in the rain
I was alone and exposed
Wheeling
Trying to find my way
Free to try and find a game
Without restrictions, I could explore my options
Dealing
Having to face
Cards for sorrow
Difficult circumstances that made me sad
Cards for pain
Challenges that caused me pain
I'm going home
I'm finally heading back home
I'm going home
I'm on my way home
I'm going home
I can't wait to be home
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Richard O'brien
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind