Price, born in Perryville, Texas, served with the U.S. Marines from 1944–1946, and began singing for KRBC in Abilene, Texas during 1948. He joined the Big D Jamboree in Dallas in 1949. He relocated to Nashville in the early 1950s, rooming for a brief time with Hank Williams. When Williams died, Price managed his band, the Drifting Cowboys, and had minor success. He was the first artist to have a success with the song "Release Me" (1954), a top five popular music hit for Engelbert Humperdinck in 1967.
In 1953, Price formed his band, the Cherokee Cowboys. Among its members during the late 1950s and early 1960s were; Roger Miller, Willie Nelson, Darrell McCall, Van Howard, Johnny Paycheck and Johnny Bush, Buddy Emmons, Pete Wade, Jan Kurtis, Shorty Lavender and Buddy Spicher. Miller wrote one of Ray Price's classics in 1958, "Invitation to the Blues", and sang harmony on the recording. Additionally, Nelson composed the Ray Price song "Night Life".
Price became one of the stalwarts of 1950s honky tonk music, with hit songs such as "Talk To Your Heart" (1952) and "Release Me". He later developed the famous "Ray Price Shuffle," a 4/4 arrangement of honky tonk music with a walking bassline, which can be heard on "Crazy Arms" (1956) and many of his other recordings from the late 1950s.
During the 1960s, Ray experimented increasingly with the so-called Nashville sound, singing slow ballads and utilizing lush arrangements of strings and backing singers. Examples include his 1967 rendition of "Danny Boy", and "For the Good Times" in 1970 which was Price's first country music chart No. 1 hit since "The Same Old Me" in 1959. Written by Kris Kristofferson, the song also scored No. 11 on the popular music chart and featured a mellower Price backed by sophisticated musical sounds, quite in contrast to the honky tonk sounds Price had pioneered two decades before. Price had three more No. 1 country music successes during the 1970s: "I Won't Mention It Again", "She's Got To Be A Saint", and "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me." His final top ten hit was "Diamonds In The Stars" in early 1982. Price continued to have songs on the country music chart through 1989. Later, he sang gospel music and recorded such songs as "Amazing Grace", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "Farther Along" and "Rock of Ages."
In 2006, Price was living near Mount Pleasant, Texas and still performing in concerts throughout the country. In 2009, Price made two performances for the Fox News show Huckabee. The first was with the Cherokee Cowboys and host Mike Huckabee, and he performed "Crazy Arms" and "Heartaches By The Number". Weeks later he performed with the Cherokee Cowboys and Willie Nelson (again with Huckabee playing bass guitar). This time they performed duets of "Faded Love" and "Crazy."
Price worked on his latest album, Last of the Breed, with fellow country music singers Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. This album was released on March 20, 2007 by the company Lost Highway Records. The two-disc set features 20 country classics as well as a pair of new compositions. The trio toured the U.S. from March 9 until March 25 starting in Arizona and finishing in Illinois. This was Price's third album with Nelson and first album with Haggard. After the tour, Haggard remarked, "I told Willie when it was over, 'That old man gave us a goddamn singing lesson.' He really did. He just sang so good. He sat there with the mic against his chest. And me and Willie are all over the microphone trying to find it, and he found it."
On November 6, 2012, Ray Price confirmed that he was fighting pancreatic cancer. Price told the San Antonio Express-News that he had been receiving chemotherapy for the past six months. An alternative to the chemo would have been surgery that involved removing the pancreas along with portions of the stomach and liver, which would have meant a long recovery and stay in a nursing home. Said Price, "That's not very much an option for me. God knows I want to live as long as I can but I don't want to live like that." The 87-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer also told the newspaper, "The doctor said that every man will get cancer if he lives to be old enough. I don't know why I got it – I ain't old!" Price retained a positive outlook and hoped to play as many as a hundred concert dates in 2013.
As of early February 2013, the cancer appeared to be in remission. Sometime in May 2013, Price was hospitalized with severe dehydration. On December 2, 2013, Price entered a Tyler, Texas, hospital in the final stages of pancreatic cancer, according to his son, then left on December 12 for home hospice care. Price died at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, on December 16, 2013.
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Ray Price Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm on your side when times get rough and friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
When you're down and out when you're on the street
When evening falls so hard I will comfort you
I'll take your part when darkness comes and pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
[ strings ]
Sail on silver girl sail on by your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine oh if you need a friend I'm sailing out behind
Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind
The lyrics in Ray Price's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" convey a message of comfort and support for someone going through a difficult time. The singer promises to be there for the person, even when friends are not available and the world seems to be against them. The comparison to a bridge over troubled water suggests that the singer will be a stable, reliable source of support that can help the person navigate through their problems.
The lyrics also acknowledge the inevitability of difficult times in life, using imagery of tears, darkness, and pain. However, the singer emphasizes that they will be there to provide comfort and solace during these challenging moments. The strings that accompany the lyrics create a soft and soothing atmosphere that reinforces this message of support.
Overall, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is a powerful song that conveys a message of hope and comfort that is deeply meaningful for anyone going through a difficult time.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're weary feeling small when tears are in your eyes I'll dry them all
Whenever you face weariness and feel small and tears roll down your eyes, I will offer you all the comfort and support you need
I'm on your side when times get rough and friends just can't be found
I will always be there to support and be on your side, especially when times are rough, and you can't find your friends to help you out
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
Just like a bridge providing a solid foundation over rough waters, I am ready to provide unwavering support and be there for you when troubles arise.
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
I will always be there providing warmth and comfort, acting as a light in the dark, like a bridge over rough waters
When you're down and out when you're on the street
Even when you are out of luck and things seem bleak, and you find yourself on the street, I am willing to help you through these trying times
When evening falls so hard I will comfort you
When the sun sets, and darkness engulfs everything, I will provide you with warmth and comfort to help you through the hard times
I'll take your part when darkness comes and pain is all around
When darkness and pain surround you, know that I will be there to take your side and help you through your troubles
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
Just like a bridge provides a solid and stable foundation over troubled waters, I will always be present to offer support and strength to help you overcome difficult times
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
Just like a bridge acts as a savior over rough waters, I will be your saving grace and offer solace to help ease your mind
[ strings ]
This is not a line of lyrics, and hence, it's not associated with any emotional meaning
Sail on silver girl sail on by your time has come to shine
This line refers to the listener's inner beauty and strength, signalling a message of hope and optimism, that they should continue to shine like silver, despite the difficult times
All your dreams are on their way
This line emphasizes that the listener should keep dreaming and hoping for the future because all their dreams and aspirations are about to come true
See how they shine oh if you need a friend I'm sailing out behind
This line communicates that the listener is not alone, and assures them that they have a friend who will always be there for them, sailing alongside them through their journey
Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind
Just like a bridge helps to ease fears and worries over tumultuous waters, I will be there to ease your mind and comfort you during difficult times
Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind
I will always be there for you, providing you with a calming and tranquil environment, just like a bridge over turbulent waters
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Labaron26
This man could sing well into his 80s, better than most so called Country Western singers who were 50 years younger.....R.I.P..Ray Price.
Lonnie Christopher
+Labaron26 ...there is a crispness....an edge to his voice.....that is unique
jeriw
Yes, I love Ray's music also, I don't want it to slip away!
Charles Bennett
Ray Price has been a favorite singer of mine since 1952 saw him one time in concert in 1959 he came out on stage decked in his rhinestone suit turn his back to the audience got an ovation he had a Cherokee Chief on his back . We went 70 miles to see that concert it was worth.it all . Rest in peace Ray Price you are missed but we still have your music it will never die
1942ann
Love Ray, love this song. Thanks for sharing.
tenor man
Price does real justice to this tune. Makes it his own
kenneth cassada
I think this is the best version of this song.
spirag37
I think Ray Price could sing the yellow pages and make them sound beautiful.
Kent Buxton
you are absolutely right
Robert Goodall
Always been one of my favourite songs.