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.
Black Sky
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I sure take it with me wherever I go
And you might like to see it but it never does show
Like a wind in the valley that never does blow
Like the grass in the back you never did mow
It's a black sky formin' on the ridge
It's a woman waitin' standin' on the bridge
It's the price that you pay for walkin' on the ledge
(HARP & GUITAR DITTY)
Well you might see me drivin' in the wrong side of town
And you might see me shinin' when the rain's comin' down
Like a diamond that's hidin' in the lost and found
Like a coon that's runnin' from a red bone hound
It's a black sky formin' on the ridge
It's a woman waitin' standin' on the bridge
It's the price that you pay for walkin' on the ledge
It's everything you do and nothin' that you did
(HARP & GUITAR SOLO)
Well the wood keeps burnin' in the old wood stove
And the cows keep goin' where they done been drove
And a light keeps glowin' in a dead man's cove
And a loom keeps spinnin' where the weave getsa wove
It's a black sky formin' on the ridge
It's a woman waitin' standin' on the bridge
It's the price that you pay for walkin' on the ledge
It's everything you do and nothin' that you did
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils' 1975 single "Black Sky" contains lyrics that are difficult to interpret but open to multiple interpretations. The verse "Well, I sure take it with me wherever I go, and you might like to see it, but it never does show" indicates that the singer carries something intangible but important with him everywhere, but others might not see its value or even its appearance. This concept could illustrate the idea of carrying one's personal burdens or struggles with a situation that others cannot comprehend. It highlights the hidden nature of one's pain and how it might impact one's life.
The metaphor of the "black sky formin' on the ridge" might symbolize a sense of impending doom or danger looming over the singer's life that could break out at any moment. The woman "waitin' standin' on the bridge" could indicate an event in the future or a person the singer is waiting for, unsure of what actions to take. The lyrics "It's the price that you pay for walkin' on the ledge, it's everything you do and nothin' that you did" could indicate the idea that sometimes one's actions might have unintended consequences, and there is no way to avoid them when walking on the edge of right and wrong.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I sure take it with me wherever I go
I carry this burden with me everywhere
And you might like to see it but it never does show
You might want to see it, but it's invisible
Like a wind in the valley that never does blow
It's like the anticipation of something that never happens
Like the grass in the back you never did mow
Like a task left undone or unfinished business
It's a black sky formin' on the ridge
It's a looming sense of danger or impending doom
It's a woman waitin' standin' on the bridge
It's a feeling of being stuck or trapped in a situation
It's the price that you pay for walkin' on the ledge
It's the consequence of taking a risky or dangerous path
It's everything you do and nothin' that you did
It's the culmination of all your actions and decisions leading up to this moment
Well you might see me drivin' in the wrong side of town
I might be making bad choices and going down the wrong path
And you might see me shinin' when the rain's comin' down
But there's always hope, even in the darkest of times
Like a diamond that's hidin' in the lost and found
There's value and beauty to be found in unexpected places
Like a coon that's runnin' from a red bone hound
I might be running from my problems or trying to escape my past
Well the wood keeps burnin' in the old wood stove
Life goes on, even in the face of adversity
And the cows keep goin' where they done been drove
Even in the face of uncertainty, some things keep moving forward on their own
And a light keeps glowin' in a dead man's cove
There's still hope and life to be found, even in the darkest of places
And a loom keeps spinnin' where the weave getsa wove
Life keeps moving forward, even when it seems like everything is falling apart
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steve Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind