Young but uniquely experienced, Phillip LaRue has an admirable grip on how to live, and the proof is written all over his debut solo album, Let the Road Pave Itself. An organic set of songs for the digital age, it was tracked live in the studio to an old fashioned two-inch tape reel, warmly capturing the sound of Phillip and his friends playing real time rock that’s only ever concerned with life’s deepest matters of love and faith. Most everything else can take care of itself. Phillip’s path began in California. An athlete until sixteen, he picked up the guitar after getting sidelined by mononucleosis. Without premeditation, his new interest turned into a duo with his sister, Natalie, and they scored a record deal in Nashville where the family was about to relocate from Arizona. Three albums and four years of touring followed. “I grew up on the road at that point,” recalls Phillip. “It was strange having people look up to me who were twice my age, but a fun way to see the world and find my true faith in the process.”
LaRue, as the group was known, charted several pop hits and called it a day after Natalie wed. Phillip moved to Florida and produced notable indie acts like Over the Rhine and Dave Barnes for a worship project based on the Psalms. Now back in Music City, he has recently written and produced rising band Tenth Avenue North and penned a hit for Brandon Heath while pondering his own return to upfront artistry.
“I had always considered the solo thing but wanted it to be completely authentic in its expression,” he says. “So much music is focus-grouped to death for fear of not being successful, and that’s a tough place to be creative from. I’m fortunate to have found a label that said, ‘You do what you do, and we’ll do what we do.’ That was my goal: to make a vulnerable record of my experiences that finds its way to wherever God wants it to go.” Let the Road Pave Itself does indeed have an honest, freewheeling spirit that instantly sets it apart from the big machine. Catchy without trying to sound commercial, Phillip writes stay-in-your-head songs from the heart; real life musical stories about open-book faith, his closest loved ones, and struggling friends who don’t always believe as he does. The album dawns with “Chasing the Daylight,” a stirring mid-tempo rocker that has seen dark times but still declares I want to chase the daylight like it’s the last day of my life.
“It’s in the unraveling of life that we find God even more,” Phillip says of the ultimately soaring song that matches the integrity of great writers like Neil Finn and David Gray.
Continuing to build his theme, the anthemic “Home” declares you only have one life to try to find out what it means to be alive as Phillip tries to point a frustrated soul searcher toward something more concrete than the hectic city streets. On “Erase and Rewind,” a billowing melodic piece reminiscent of Snow Patrol, another buddy’s admission of suicidal thoughts further tests the singer’s resolve.
“It broke my heart that he’d lose sight of the value of his life, his identity in God,” LaRue confesses. “It left me wishing we could simply go back to the way it used to be. I just want him to know that he’s loved.”
A different type of love takes center stage on “Don’t Be Deceived” as Phillip serenades his wife (also the muse of “Sleeping Beauty” and “All I Want”). Waxing philosophical about their older years and begging her to stay with him, come what may, he reminds her all we have is this life, love. You know it’s more than enough. The performance brings out the finest charms of Let the Road Pave Itself. Musicians Tyler Burkum (guitar), Cason Cooley (keys), and Will Sayles (drums) play to match the country soul-tinged ballad’s raw emotions led by Phillip’s unvarnished vocalizations, comparable to other pleasingly imperfect singers like Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz or The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft.
“I miss the vocal nuances I used to hear in the music my parents would put on at home,” he says. “You feel what they’re singing. That’s another reason I wanted to record live with a band and keep a lot of first takes without fixing them up. The songs are here as they really happened. The whole process was a beautiful collaboration. As the songwriter I may have been holding the paintbrush, but everyone helped choose the colors.” For all these immediate songs on Let the Road Pave Itself, the most talked about tracks may ultimately be the commercially indifferent “Black and Blue” and “Mountains High and Valleys Low” for their unflinching takes on humanity and the heavenly.
The former was written by Phillip after reading a poem his sister, Natalie, wrote about their younger sister, Brianna, who has cerebral palsy and now an inoperable brain tumor. With duly poetic lyrics and equally emotive accompaniment, it says you deserve to walk to run to fly—all the things I wanted for you in this life.
“It’s crazy how we feel obligated by our beliefs to explain everything,” Phillip says. “We can’t always do that. Brianna’s situation doesn’t match up; I can’t connect the dots. But I still believe and have a hope for her. And she has impacted more people than I ever will.”
“Mountains High and Valleys Low” closes the album by summing up life itself, an unassuming epic of doubt and faith whose words literally go from I long to believe to I believe.
“I liked ending the record with that because it applies to all I’ve been singing about—faith, love, life—in a way that is vulnerable, sometimes broken, but always hopeful. I really want people to hear that honesty. If they don’t, what’s the point?”
Right there is the lasting appeal of Let the Road Pave Itself, an album unintentionally named by a friend who was convincing Phillip LaRue to share his personal yet universally relevant songs with the world once again after years outside the spotlight.
“I’m stepping back into this world, and I could care less about some of the details,” he says. “As far as being popular, I’ve kind of tasted and seen that. I still want great things to happen, but more importantly I just want to be me in the process. I still believe in the power of music and want people to find hope through this record. If I can throw a rock and make another ripple, then what a blessing.”
Carry You
Phillip Larue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The canyons may call but don't you dare listen to them
The earth, it may quake and your heart may break but know
I am where I stand and I will not let you go
Cause I will carry you, carry you, carry you away from it all
I won't let you fall
Cause I will lift you up, lift you up, lift you up into the light
And let it all begin, oh let it all begin
The wind on your back, a sonnet above your soul
There's so much you view that you still need to know
The rain, it is falling like a river sweet
I'm hoping the current will lead you right back to me
Cause I will carry you, carry you, carry you away from it all
I won't let you fall
Cause I will lift you up, lift you up, lift you up into the light
Don't close your eyes till the morning
And let it all begin, oh let it all begin
I will carry you, carry you, carry you away from it all
I won't let you fall
Cause I will lift you up, lift you up, lift you up into the light
So don't close your eyes till the morning
And let it all begin
Let it all begin 4x
The lyrics to Phillip Larue's song "Carry You" are a message of hope and encouragement to someone who may be experiencing trying times in life. The first verse describes a scene where the person is standing near a ledge they cannot see, but it's important not to listen to the call of the canyons. The canyons could represent a negative mindset or thoughts, and the person is advised to stay strong and not give in to them. The second part of the verse talks about how the earth may quake, and their heart may break, but the person singing the song will stand by them and not let them go. This means that no matter what happens, the person singing the song will be a constant source of support.
The second verse paints a beautiful picture of the world around the person, with wind blowing on their back and a sonnet above their soul. The person is reminded that there is so much more they need to know and experience in life. While the rain is pouring down like a river, they are hoping that the person will find their way back to them, and they can face the struggles of life together.
The chorus of the song repeats the message of support and encouragement. The person singing the song promises to carry the other person away from it all, lift them up into the light, and not let them fall. They encourage the person to keep their eyes open until the morning and let it all begin. This could mean that the person should not give up and keep pushing forward because a new day brings new opportunities.
Overall, "Carry You" is a beautiful and heartwarming song that encourages listeners to stay strong in the face of adversity and reminds them that they are not alone in their struggles. The lyrics inspire hope and provide comfort to those who may be going through tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
You cannot see but you're inches away from the ledge
You may not realize it, but you are very close to the edge of danger.
The canyons may call but don't you dare listen to them
The challenges may seem overwhelming, but don't succumb to them.
The earth, it may quake and your heart may break but know
Sometimes life can be tough and things can be uncertain, but remember that you are not alone.
I am where I stand and I will not let you go
I am here for you and I will support you through thick and thin.
Cause I will carry you, carry you, carry you away from it all
I will be there to lift you up and take you away from any negativity or danger.
I won't let you fall
I will ensure that you are safe and secure throughout any trials.
Cause I will lift you up, lift you up, lift you up into the light
I will be the one to bring positivity, guidance, and hope into your life.
Don't close your eyes till the morning
Don't give up or lose hope, stay strong and keep going.
And let it all begin, oh let it all begin
Embrace the start of something new, fresh, and positive.
The wind on your back, a sonnet above your soul
You are surrounded by beauty and inspiration, and the world is waiting for you to discover it.
There's so much you view that you still need to know
There is still so much to discover and learn about the world and yourself.
The rain, it is falling like a river sweet
Even in the midst of challenges, there can be moments of beauty and sweetness.
I'm hoping the current will lead you right back to me
I am here for you and hope that you will always find your way back to me.
Let it all begin 4x
Let the journey towards positivity, hope, and happiness begin!
Writer(s): Daniel Fernandez, Phillip Larue
Contributed by Arianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@drstephenwoods
Another beautiful song I heard on Heartland Season 10. Great to still hear great music still being crafted by a younger generation.
@dinibaby21
This song puts me at ease.
@courtneyhlavacek1878
Heartland brought me here. Love this song
@michellebecker7346
This song gives you the feels, soooo good!
@envy99.
Heartland season 10 episode 13 brought me here #iloveheartland
@heathernimeck6746
haha...same here!
@jhcequestrians5712
Nishant Varma same here! Such a good episode!
@0904Kaz
Same here!! Lol
@kaylar6884
Sameee
@ravindra5433
same here Heartland ❤️ fan