The Ozark Mountain Da… Read Full Bio ↴Alternative tag The Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils started in 1971 in Springfield, Missouri in an attempt by the singer/songwriter members to have a vehicle in which to display and promote their music. At first, they played in bars and on porches. However, a record executive from A&M records discovered the band, and they began their recording path.
The original members of the band consisted of:
John Dillion - (vocals, guitars, mandolin, fiddle, piano, harp, autoharp, dulcimer, jawbone, percussion, keyboards)
Mike "Supe" Granda - (vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion, chicken squawks)
Buddy Brayfield - (vocals, oboe, piano, harpsichord, organ, percussion, electric piano)
Randle Chowning - (vocals, lead electric & acoustic guitars, harp, national steel, mandolin)
Steve Cash - (vocals, harp, percussion, harpsichord)
Larry Lee - (vocals, drums, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, piano, percussion, saw, saw & board)
The Daredevils peaked commercially in 1973-1974 and were best known for "Jackie Blue" and "If You Wanna Get To Heaven", which both got national coverage. However, there was a wide range of music that the Daredevils produced that was widely missed. The influences of the locale and the talents of the band members produced some unique sounds that could be related to "rockabilly" influences. There was also a good body of music that could be classified as country, rock, ballads, folk or blues.
The band changed throughout the years, but played prevantly throughout the '70s and gained and lost members during that time. To this day, there is still a loyal and avid fan following. There are discs still being released by the group, mostly of past performances in the '70s. In addition, many of the members are currently still working on other interests including Randle Chowning, Larry Lee ("Beyond Reach") Mike "Supe" Granda, and possibly others.
A reunion concert was held in Springfield, Missouri at the refurbished Gilloiz Theatre, in May of 2007. The three nights they performed were entirely sold out, weeks in advance of the concert.
A Dollar's Worth Of Regular
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm always good for a jump or a joke
I take it easy even when I take a toke
but there's a memory and a story never wrote
I know it's crazy, but I swear it ain't a lie
it happened early in the pale morning light
a pretty girl in a foreign car drove in and winked her eye
and what she said right there and then - I'll hear until I die
She said all I need is a dollar's worth of regular
all I want is an hour's worth of love
but don't worry darlin', you can fill me up this evening
late in the evening when the stars are high above
Now some old boys are made of stone and some are made of steel
and some can live on luck alone and never miss a meal
and some are sellin' bargain love, but all they do is steal
but what the hell, who gives a damn - a deal is just a deal
Now I'm a country boy with a simple country mind
I'm workin' in the station every day from nine 'til nine
but if somebody tells me that my life ain't too sublime
I just tell 'em what she said - and then they know I'm doin' fine
She said all I need is a dollar's worth of regular
all I want is an hour's worth of love
but don't worry darlin', you can fill me up this evening
late in the evening when the stars are high above
late in the evening when the stars are high above
woo - wo - wo -woo
Lyrics are copyright 1976, Steve Cash
The song "A Dollar's Worth Of Regular" by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils is a song which tells the story of a man who remembers a particularly special encounter he had. He speaks about how he is always up for a laugh or a joke, but deep down he carries a memory which he has never shared with anyone. He then proceeds to tell the story of how one morning, a beautiful woman pulled up a foreign car and indicated that all she needed was a dollar's worth of regular gas, and an hour's worth of love. The man proceeds to muse about the different types of people out there, some of whom are made out of stone, while others live on luck alone, and some who peddle bargain love. The man then reflects on his own simple life, and how he tells anyone who thinks his life is not too "sublime" about the events of that one morning.
The song is a wonderful reflection on life and how sometimes we encounter events that are unexpected and special. It is also a commentary on the different types of people out there and how all of them have their own methods of surviving in life. The song uses simple imagery and storytelling to convey its message and is excellently brought to life by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm always good for a jump or a joke
I am a lighthearted person, always ready to make others laugh or engage in fun activities.
I take it easy even when I take a toke
I am relaxed and easygoing, even when I am smoking marijuana.
but there's a memory and a story never wrote
There is a memory and a story that I have never shared or put into writing.
and every time it's told, I get a lump in my throat
Every time I recount this memory or story, I become emotional and choked-up.
I know it's crazy, but I swear it ain't a lie
Although my tale may sound unbelievable, I promise that it is true.
it happened early in the pale morning light
This event occurred at dawn when the light was dim.
a pretty girl in a foreign car drove in and winked her eye
A beautiful woman in a car from another country drove in and flirted with me.
and what she said right there and then - I'll hear until I die
The words she spoke to me in that moment will stay with me forever, even until my death.
She said all I need is a dollar's worth of regular
The woman said that she only needs a dollar's worth of gasoline, the basic grade.
all I want is an hour's worth of love
She only desires an hour of romantic affection and attention from him.
but don't worry darlin', you can fill me up this evening
However, he can provide more than just those things if he is willing to.
late in the evening when the stars are high above
The ideal time for this to happen is late at night under the starry sky.
Now some old boys are made of stone and some are made of steel
Some men are tough and unmovable, while others are strong but flexible.
and some can live on luck alone and never miss a meal
Some people are lucky enough to get by on chance and never worry about their needs being met.
and some are sellin' bargain love, but all they do is steal
There are people who offer cheap love or companionship, but it is not genuine and they only take advantage of others.
but what the hell, who gives a damn - a deal is just a deal
Regardless of whether it is genuine or a facade, a deal is still a deal and can be beneficial to both parties.
Now I'm a country boy with a simple country mind
I am a man from the country with a simple way of thinking and living.
I'm workin' in the station every day from nine 'til nine
I spend most of my days working at the station from early morning until late evening.
but if somebody tells me that my life ain't too sublime
If someone were to criticize my lifestyle and tell me that it is unsatisfactory,
I just tell 'em what she said - and then they know I'm doin' fine
I would simply repeat what the woman said to me and let them know that I am content with my life.
woo - wo - wo -woo
This line is just a vocalization and does not contain any significant meaning.
Contributed by Carson B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.