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.
If I Only Knew
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I only knew
Then I would be outside walkin'
Through the morning dew with you
It shouldn't be too far
It shouldn't be far away, away, away
If I only knew which road went where
Then I would be outside walkin'
Through the morning air with you
It shouldn't be too hard
It shouldn't be hard to see, to see, to see
Hey you
Put some funny looking clothes on me too
Then we can run around and show our happy glow
If I only knew what it would take
If I only knew
Then I wouldn't make the same mistakes
That I usually do with you
It shouldn't be too hard
It shouldn't be hard to do, to do, to do, to do
The lyrics to Ozark Mountain Daredevils' "If I Only Knew" speak of the desire to know what it is that motivates and drives the singer in the morning. They express a longing to share this moment of awakening and clarity with a loved one, but the uncertainty and confusion about which decisions to make and which direction to go in are preventing them from doing so.
The lyrics suggest that the answers to the singer's questions are close at hand, but they simply can't see them yet. The imagery of walking through the dew and morning air with a loved one suggests a peaceful and harmonious relationship, but the questions that plague the singer's mind are preventing that moment from being realized.
The last verse suggests that the singer has made mistakes in the past that have prevented them from experiencing such moments with their loved one. However, there is a sense of hope and determination within the lyrics: if they only knew what it would take, they wouldn't repeat their mistakes.
Overall, the song speaks to the human condition of uncertainty and self-doubt, but also the desire for clarity and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
If I only knew what wakes me
If I could identify what motivates me.
If I only knew
If I had the necessary knowledge or understanding.
Then I would be outside walkin' / Through the morning dew with you
I would love to go for a walk with you in the fresh morning air, exploring nature's beauty.
It shouldn't be too far / It shouldn't be far away, away, away
Finding this motivation should not be too hard to achieve, as it is not too far away from me.
If I only knew which road went where
If I could determine the right path to take.
Then I would be outside walkin' / Through the morning air with you
I would love to be walking with you outdoors and breathing in the fresh morning air.
'It shouldn't be too hard / It shouldn't be hard to see, to see, to see
It should not be difficult to identify the right path and see where it leads us.
Hey you / Put some funny looking clothes on me too / Then we can run around and show our happy glow
Let's dress up in fun clothes and have a blast running around, showing off our joy and happiness.
If I only knew what it would take
If I had knowledge about what it would require.
Then I wouldn't make the same mistakes / That I usually do with you
I could avoid repeating the same errors I make when I am with you.
It shouldn't be too hard / It shouldn't be hard to do, to do, to do, to do
Avoiding those mistakes and doing right should be straightforward.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LARRY M. LEE, STEVE CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronnie Boucher
listening to this song when i was 19 and again now at 62 wow so good to sing along with this great tune and look back - such a fulfilling life and i did so many things thanks to music it kept me going = thank the ozark mountain daredeviles !
MrBTOBILL
This song brings back sooo many memories. when my kids were little we would put this song on and march around the house. Great song great album Car Over the Lake. thanks for posting the video
JHL JHL
Unique voice. I've always loved this song.
susanpittner123
the car over the lake album was my all time favorite growing up ---- grew up with a sister 5 years older than me, and a brother who's 10 years older -- got exposed to some seriously awesome groups and tunes. thankful for that.
Mark Eubanks
susanpittner123 i have an older sis who turned me on to this
Frederick Sehapayak
This song really stands out from the rest of the album. Very dreamy, sweet, melodic, and nostalgic.
Max Jordan
I first heard these guys back in high school (1976), man was I lucky! Thanks for the posting!
Dee Meyers
The Ozarks were an amazing band and listening to them now brings back memories of living on a farm in Huonbrook behind Mullumbimby (Byron Bay)in Northern NSW Australia
Thankyou for some beautiful music Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Blue House 176
One of my all time favorite songs! Such nice times....Thank you so much for uploading this song! Take care!
tdell1275
I have been thinking about this song on and off since it came out! Thank you!