She released her self-titled debut in 1987, and released "Mountain Soul II" on September 29, 2009.
Following throat surgery to repair her vocal chords, she released the album Only What I Feel in 1993 to the best reviews of her career and won multiple awards.
Patty Loveless has been one of the most popular country singers. According to her website, as of 2019 she has had 21 album releases, including 4 that went platinum and 3 that went gold, and nine #1 hits.
On Down The Line
Patty Loveless Lyrics
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That's the bottom line
It ain't easy tryin' to stretch
A nickle into a dime
Sweatin' for the dollar
Workin' for the man
Half goes to the
Landlord, Lord
I can't get no consolation
I don't get no paid vacation
I can't get no satisfaction
And my tractor don't get no traction
Just doin' the best I can
Tryin' to make a stand
Laughin' and cryin'
Livin' and dyin' on down the line
I'll leave my soul to Jesus
I'll give my heart to you
And if you want the rest of me
Well, darlin you can have that too
Only love can save me
So darlin don't be late
If I don't get your lovin soon
I swear I'm gonna die today
I can't get no consolation
I don't get no paid vacation
I can't get no satisfaction
And my tractor don't get no traction
Just doin' the best I can
Just tryin' to make a stand
Laughin' and cryin'
Livin' and dyin' on down the line
If I were a rich girl
It wouldn't be the same
I'd buy me a cadilac
And then I'd change my name
A poor girls dream inside me
And you by my side
We drive into the sunset
Ride sweet baby ride
I can't get no consolation
I don't get no paid vacation
I can't get no satisfaction
And my tractor don't get no traction
Just doin' the best I can
Tryin' to make a stand
Laughin' and cryin'
Livin' and dyin' on down the line
On down the line
On down the line
On down the line
The song "On Down The Line" by Patty Loveless speaks to the struggles of the blue-collar worker trying to make ends meet. The first stanza of the song sets the stage for the difficulties faced by those who are trying to "make a livin'" and are challenged by the economics of stretching "a nickel into a dime." Loveless captures the daily grind of work with the line "sweatin' for the dollar, workin' for the man." This line could be interpreted as the frustration of working long hours for someone else, with the bulk of the pay going to landlords or taxes. The second stanza of the song speaks to the desire for something more – "I can't get no satisfaction" and the vignettes of farming life – "my tractor don't get no traction." These lines could be viewed as a metaphor for wanting to break out of the monotony of daily worklife and achieve something deeper.
The final stanza of the song is a turning point, as Loveless speaks to the idea that money cannot ultimately bring happiness, only love. She speaks to leaving her soul to Jesus and giving her heart to someone special – "And if you want the rest of me, well, darlin you can have that too." The final lines of the song represent a glimmer of hope, as she imagines driving into the sunset with someone special by her side – "We drive into the sunset, ride sweet baby ride." The song is ultimately about the human experience of trying to make sense of the difficulties of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Tryin' to make a livin
Striving to earn a livelihood
That's the bottom line
Making ends meet is the primary goal
It ain't easy tryin' to stretch
It's hard to increase value
A nickle into a dime
Turning something of lesser value into more
Sweatin' for the dollar
Working hard to earn money
Workin' for the man
Working for an employer
Half goes to the
Fifty percent is paid to the
Landlord, Lord
Property owner
And half to Uncle Sam
Half is paid to the government as tax
I can't get no consolation
Unable to find comfort
I don't get no paid vacation
No leisure time to relax
I can't get no satisfaction
Not happy with the current situation
And my tractor don't get no traction
The means of making money aren't effective
Just doin' the best I can
Trying one's hardest
Tryin' to make a stand
Striving for something better
Laughin' and cryin'
Experiencing both joy and sorrow
Livin' and dyin' on down the line
Living and dying through life's struggles
I'll leave my soul to Jesus
Giving one's soul to God
I'll give my heart to you
Giving one's heart to someone they love
And if you want the rest of me
Giving someone everything
Well, darlin you can have that too
Offering all of oneself to their loved one
Only love can save me
Love is the only thing that can help
So darlin don't be late
Don't keep them waiting
If I don't get your lovin soon
If they don't receive love soon
I swear I'm gonna die today
It feels like everything is hopeless and nothing will improve
If I were a rich girl
If they were wealthy
It wouldn't be the same
Their life would be different
I'd buy me a cadilac
They would purchase a Cadillac
And then I'd change my name
Start over with a new identity
A poor girls dream inside me
Having dreams despite their current financial situation
And you by my side
Having someone they love with them
We drive into the sunset
Having a bright future ahead
Ride sweet baby ride
Wishing for a happy and successful life
On down the line
Through the ups and downs of life
On down the line
Moving forward with life
On down the line
Pressing forward with their dreams
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KOSTAS LAZARIDES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind