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.
Time Warp
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you think you hit the bottom, then you better find the key
Like Custer at the Horn when he turned around and said
"When you think you finally got 'em, you're just as good as dead."
[Chorus:]
It's a time warp puttin' wrinkles in your skin
It's a rockabilly music make you silly in the end
It's a rockabilly music that's a blessing in disguise
Like Ponce de Leon speakin' Spanish in the swamp
"I was lookin' for a fountain, but it's water that I want."
Like Pike at the top and every other freak
"I was lookin' for a mountain, I took a little peak."
[Chorus]
Like Buddha at the sermon when he didn't say a word
If you think you hear a flower, it's a flower that you heard
Like da Vinci on the roof with his arm in a sling
"A man's got the power, but a bird's got the wing."
[Chorus]
Like Vincent Van Gogh when he chopped off his ear
"I'd like to give her twenty, but I still gotta hear."
Like Crockett at the wall lookin' back to Tennessee
"The livin' costs you plenty, but the dyin's still for free."
[Chorus]
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils' song "Time Warp" is a unique exploration into the idea of time and the way humans react to it. The lyrics make it clear that time is mysterious and often unpredictable, with allusions to historical figures who found themselves in difficult or confusing situations despite their sense of certainty. The first verse describes Houdini, one of the world's most famous magicians, trapped in a river with a lock he cannot see. The lyrics suggest that even those who seem to have control over their surroundings can still find themselves in perilous situations.
The chorus contributes to the song's theme by calling attention to the way time affects the human body and mind. "It's a time warp puttin' wrinkles in your skin" implies that time is constantly at work, slowly but surely aging us as it passes. Yet the line "It's a rockabilly music that's a blessing in disguise" suggests that the song itself is a way to escape the effects of time, even as it acknowledges the inevitability of aging.
The rest of the song uses the same structure, with allusions to figures like Ponce de Leon, Buddha, and Vincent Van Gogh. Each of these historical figures represents a different type of struggle with the passage of time, and the song seems to use these references to underscore the idea that no one is truly immune to the mystery of time. Overall, "Time Warp" is a thoughtful and introspective exploration of one of the most fundamental aspects of human existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Like Houdini in the river with a lock he couldn't see
Sometimes we feel trapped without even understanding our limitations.
When you think you hit the bottom, then you better find the key
When we encounter seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we must search for the solution.
Like Custer at the Horn when he turned around and said
"When you think you finally got 'em, you're just as good as dead."
Even when we think we have won or succeeded, we must still be cautious and vigilant.
It's a time warp puttin' wrinkles in your skin
The passage of time can be unforgiving and have physical effects on our bodies.
It's a rockabilly music make you silly in the end
Music can have a transformative effect on our mood and make us feel lighthearted.
It's a time warp puttin' circles on your eyes
The stress and pressure of life can manifest physically as exhaustion and fatigue.
It's a rockabilly music that's a blessing in disguise
Music can also be a source of comfort and refuge from the chaos of life.
Like Ponce de Leon speakin' Spanish in the swamp
"I was lookin' for a fountain, but it's water that I want."
Sometimes we chase after something that we think we need, only to realize that what we really want is something else entirely.
Like Pike at the top and every other freak
"I was lookin' for a mountain, I took a little peak."
We must be careful when exploring beyond our limits, as it can lead to unexpected dangers.
Like Buddha at the sermon when he didn't say a word
If you think you hear a flower, it's a flower that you heard
Our perception of reality is often shaped by our own biases and preconceived notions.
Like da Vinci on the roof with his arm in a sling
"A man's got the power, but a bird's got the wing."
Even though humans possess incredible abilities, we must acknowledge that we are not the only ones with power and potential.
Like Vincent Van Gogh when he chopped off his ear
"I'd like to give her twenty, but I still gotta hear."
Our desires and wants must be understood in the context of our values and priorities.
Like Crockett at the wall lookin' back to Tennessee
"The livin' costs you plenty, but the dyin's still for free."
Life can be expensive and take a toll on us, but death is inevitable for everyone.
It's a time warp puttin' wrinkles in your skin
The passage of time can be unforgiving and have physical effects on our bodies.
It's a rockabilly music make you silly in the end
Music can have a transformative effect on our mood and make us feel lighthearted.
It's a time warp puttin' circles on your eyes
The stress and pressure of life can manifest physically as exhaustion and fatigue.
It's a rockabilly music that's a blessing in disguise
Music can also be a source of comfort and refuge from the chaos of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE CASH, RANDLE CHOWNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind