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.
Look Away
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or floating on your back in a deep blue sea
A wiser is the man who seeks new visions
And tries to keep his heart and mind toll-free
Look away, oh, Lord, look away, yeah
Look away, oh, Lord, look away
Just tryin' to find the Gospel, don't you know
I heard the sound of a cryin' down in the valley,
But what is there is only sticks and stones
Look away, oh, Lord, look away, yeah
Look away, oh, Lord, look away
A checking it out in town I'm feeling lonely,
You know that some of them women sure look good
A checking it up and down, now you should have told me
There ain't no pretty things in my neighborhood
Look away, oh, Lord, look away, yeah
Look away, oh, Lord, look away
Look away,
Look away,
Look away
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils's song Look Away is a reflection on the myriad distractions and temptations that can derail a person from pursuing their true passion or goal. The first stanza illustrates the idea of focusing on new experiences and expanding one's horizons while keeping one's heart and mind free from any burden. The second stanza appears to suggest the search for a deeper meaning in life, represented in the metaphorical image of trying to find the gospel. However, the search ends up being fruitless, as the only thing found in the valley is sticks and stones. The final stanza highlights the idea of succumbing to the temptations of the world and being misled by appearances. The singer notes the vain effort of finding attractive things in their neighborhood and advises to look away.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a commentary on the distractions and illusions that can prevent one from following their dreams or finding true fulfillment in life. The repeated phrase "Look away, oh Lord, look away" may serve as a plea for divine guidance and protection from these distractions. The theme of the song is contemplative, suggesting a sense of disillusionment with the superficial aspects of life and the yearning for something more profound.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, babe, you could be a standing in my kitchen
My love, you could be here with me right now, next to me in my kitchen
Or floating on your back in a deep blue sea
You could be far away, completely immersed in a vast body of water
A wiser is the man who seeks new visions
A smart person is always looking for new perspectives and experiences
And tries to keep his heart and mind toll-free
They also try to keep an open mind and heart
Look away, oh, Lord, look away, yeah
Turn away, Lord, please don't witness what I'm about to do
A running along, peeking down hole and alley
I'm wandering, looking high and low for truth or something else important
Just tryin' to find the Gospel, don't you know
I'm searching for the truth, whatever it may be and whatever form it may take
I heard the sound of a cryin' down in the valley
I heard a sorrowful, mournful sound coming from the valley
But what is there is only sticks and stones
But when I arrive and investigate, I find there's nothing there but lifeless objects
A checking it out in town I'm feeling lonely
I'm out and about in town and feeling quite lonely
You know that some of them women sure look good
Despite that, some of the women I see are very attractive to me
A checking it up and down, now you should have told me
I'm looking them over pretty well and thinking you should have warned me
There ain't no pretty things in my neighborhood
But the truth is that there isn't anything or anyone really worth looking at around here
Look away, oh, Lord, look away, yeah
Turn away, Lord, please don't witness what I'm about to do
Look away, oh, Lord, look away
Turn away, Lord, please don't witness what I'm about to do
Look away
Turn away
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RANDLE CHOWNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind