He was also the lead singer for the power pop group The Semantics and was the guitarist for Amy Grant's band from 1994 to 2010.
It seems like such a phony platitude that doing things the hard way is the most rewarding. Of course, anyone with a shred of sense, or anyone who has done something the hard way can tell you that the spoils are greater, and so is the sense of accomplishment. But it’d be nice if things came more easily.
For singer-songwriter-rocker Owsley, it’s been a pretty easy ride. Music came to him naturally through a richly musical family. Now that’s typical for most talented folks—that the music comes easy—the hard part is getting folks to listen. That’s what he’s talking about on his new album, The Hard Way, even though the Anniston, Alabama native will tell you, “It’s about a lot of things.”
So is Owsley. As a youngster, he played guitar along to the radio bands like Wings, KISS, and The Cars, matching licks with his older brother, Bud. This morphed into writing songs of his own, 4-track bedroom recording sessions (his penchant for multi-tracking vocals explains the plethora of big choruses on The Hard Way), underage bar gigs with cover bands—he’d do anything to scratch the musical itch.
Eventually he made the pros: his guitar prowess landed him a gig with funk-pop pioneer Judson Spence with whom Owsley played around the world and appeared on MTV in Spence's videos. Subsequently, a pre-fame Ben Folds introduced him to Millard Powers, and the two would form the legendary power-pop trio The Semantics with Zak Starkey (their lone album, Powerbill, released only in Japan, is now hot property). This led to Owsley joining Amy Grant’s touring band in 1994, a gig he holds today. Playing with Grant enabled Owsley to create a musical playground/home studio, not to mention spend time off writing and recording his own music. In 1999, he released Owsley on Giant Records, garnering raves for the anthemic power-pop songs (“I’m Alright” was a minor hit) and a Grammy™ nomination for his engineering efforts.
Owsley next crossed paths with his musical hero, legendary producer Mutt Lange. Lange, equally enamored with Owsley, hired him to play guitar and sing the duet, “No One Needs to Know” with Lange’s wife, Shania Twain live on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Today Show,” “Regis & Kathy Lee” and “The American Country Music Awards.”
Then came the hard part: Giant fell victim to corporate mergers and boarded up the windows within a year of Owsley hitting shelves. Rather than be swept up in the swirling flush, Owsley began writing and recording another album, The Hard Way.
Again produced and performed almost entirely by Owsley in his home studio, The Hard Way continues Owsley’s fascination with perfect pop tunes—big choruses and big words set to lush, exhilarating arrangements. “I’m a sucker for an anthem,” says Owsley, explaining how the lead track “Be With You” is a love song to “God and woman, not just to woman,” and an expression of a yearning to for spiritual, interpersonal and terrestrial connections. You can’t help but ache with him when he sings:
“I wanna know how it feels to believe in something/ride on the heels of a good thing comin’/run to the one thing I know is something true…/I wanna live my life like I know the meaning/deep inside my soul I hear the music screamin’/eyes wide open so I’m awake and dreaming, too.”
“Undone” and “She’s The One” are likewise transcendent, explosive examples of songs you sing in the car or the shower, but also out loud at inopportune times because you just can’t help it. But Owsley is also a first-rate balladeer, able to convey as much sorrow in a sad song as he does joy in a fist-pumping anthem. “Matriarch,” written for Owsley’s departed grandmother, is a piano ballad in the great AM-radio style of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, with nods to Todd Rundgren and Jeff Lynne on the FM side. And like those songwriters, you feel every word and every note in your blood.
He’s also a startling analyst, able to extract the most significance from his surroundings and his and others’ situations, and pair it with vivid detail. For instance, the folksy title track, where he draws parallels between a gambling addict and his life in music.
“I hate casinos,” Owsley opines. “They’re gross, to me. You know, no clocks, drinks for free, pumpin' in oxygen through the air vents, no windows, call girls, smell of cigarettes.” Like the losers at the tables, Owsley is begging for a lesson—“Let me learn the hard way.” He explains, “I guess the message is I’ll never learn. I keep getting hit in the face, and keep getting back up to get it again.”
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In making The Hard Way, Owsley has experienced a lesson he skipped by performing side and session gigs and writing in the wings. He’s learned that he must be a master of the results. “I guess,” he says, “in a world of pretenders, I’m a contender. Sorry if that sounds egotistical; I still have so much to learn, but most of the people on the radio today probably started playing guitar last week. And I’ve been doing this and preparing for today since birth—no kidding. It’s all I ever wanted, to be a legitimate player, writer, producer, and performer.”
All this… on his terms. He says, “it feels good to make music again, and for the right reasons. I’m optimistic about the future but most importantly want to be loyal to the fans that have stuck by me through thick and thin. This record is really for them.”
Not that he’s opposed to doing it again, or consigned to indie life. He’s learned some lessons, but he’d still take another shot at the spoils. “The final chapter has not been written. Who knows what will happen? Right now, all that matters is we’re taking control and doing it our way. The Hard Way.”
Sadly, Will Owsley died on April 30, 2010 at the age of 44 of what the Tennessean reported to be "an apparent suicide". He is survived by 2 sons, his ex-wife and his wonderful music.
Matriarch
Owsley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see Christine Avenue every night
Through the kitchen down the hallway
To the bedroom on the right
I slide in my easy chair
Safe as can be
To the eyes of adoration
To say
Everything in life is gonna be okay
***chorus***
Matriarch of the family
More than a reverie
You were a friend to me
Sometimes I cry out for my Joan of Arc
To come back and lead the march
Gone is my Matriarch
***
I remember how the seats felt in her 225
And I can hear the engine purring as it pulls into the drive
She'd pick me up and take me down to Dawn's five and ten
And let me change my mind a thousand times
And take me home again
So cool
Wrote me letters everyday when I was off at school
***chorus***
(Spoken:) Thanks Sis
The lyrics of Owsley's "Matriarch" seem to be a tribute to a beloved family member who has passed away. The first verse describes the singer's routine of seeing "Christine Avenue" every night, which presumably leads to memories of their childhood home. The "kitchen down the hallway" and "bedroom on the right" suggest a specific layout that is familiar and comforting to the singer. They slide into their "easy chair" and feel safe in the presence of the "eyes of adoration" that seem to watch over them. These eyes could be a reference to a portrait or photograph of the Matriarch, or they could be a metaphor for the enduring love and support that she provided her family. The singer acknowledges that life is not always easy, but somehow the Matriarch's presence reassures them that "Everything in life is gonna be okay."
The chorus is where the song really hits home, as the singer proclaims the Matriarch to be "More than a reverie" and "a friend to me." There is a palpable sense of grief and loss as the singer calls out for their "Joan of Arc" to come back and "lead the march." This could be a metaphor for the singer's desire for a strong, inspiring figure to guide them through difficult times, or it could be a reference to the Matriarch's own leadership within the family. Either way, the chorus is an emotional tribute to someone who was clearly deeply loved and respected.
Overall, "Matriarch" is a poignant reminder of the importance of family and the impact that one person can have on the lives of those around them. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, but they are delivered with a heartfelt sincerity that makes them all the more powerful. Whether the listener has personally experienced the loss of a loved one or not, the song is likely to strike a chord and evoke feelings of gratitude for the people in our lives who have made a lasting impact.
Line by Line Meaning
I see Christine Avenue every night
Every night, without fail, I am reminded of my memories of Christine Avenue.
Through the kitchen down the hallway
As I traverse the path through the kitchen and down the hallway, something comes to mind.
To the bedroom on the right
Finally, I end up at the bedroom on the right where I feel safe.
I slide in my easy chair
I sink into the comfortable embrace of my easy chair.
Safe as can be
In my easy chair, I feel secure and protected.
To the eyes of adoration
As I look around, I see nothing but love and admiration in the eyes of those around me.
Simply starring back at me
They gaze at me with an air of simplicity and clarity that brings me peace.
To say
All of their adoration is displayed to convey one simple message.
Everything in life is gonna be okay
Life might be tough sometimes, but these people around me will make sure that it will be okay.
Matriarch of the family
The lady who held our family together and kept us strong and united.
More than a reverie
The memories of our matriarch are more than just recollections of the past.
You were a friend to me
To me, our matriarch was more than just a family member - she was a true friend.
Sometimes I cry out for my Joan of Arc
At times, I find myself yearning for my own version of Joan of Arc to come to my aid.
To come back and lead the march
I wish that she could return to lead me through these tough times.
Gone is my Matriarch
Unfortunately, our matriarch is no longer with us.
I remember how the seats felt in her 225
I clearly recall how her car's seats felt, giving me a sense of nostalgia.
And I can hear the engine purring as it pulls into the drive
It's possible for me to recall how the sound of her car's engine filled my ears as it pulled into our driveway.
She'd pick me up and take me down to Dawn's five and ten
Sometimes, she'd be the one to pick me up and take me to Dawn's five and dime.
And let me change my mind a thousand times
She was patient with me and allowed me to make up my mind without feeling pressured.
And take me home again
She was always ready to take me back home when I was ready.
So cool
I loved how patient and level-headed she could be in any circumstance.
Wrote me letters everyday when I was off at school
When I was away at school, she made an extra effort to keep in touch with me through letters.
Thanks Sis
Owsley acknowledges and expresses his gratitude to his sister for likely bringing up memories of their matriarch.
Writer(s): Will Owsley Copyright: Owsley Music Publishing, WB Music Corp.
Contributed by Bella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.