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.
Gonna Burn Some Bridges
Ray Price Lyrics
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Find a bar and drown a million memories what else is there left for me to do
This time I won't give in and let you put me through
Another day for you to play with a heart that worships you
Cause tonight I'm going out and burn some bridges
But only on the road that leads to you
[ steel - strings ]
Cause tonight I'm going out and burn some bridges across crazy river of regret
This time I won't give in...
The lyrics of Ray Price's song "Gonna Burn Some Bridges" depict a person who is determined to take control of their emotions and break free from a toxic relationship. The singer expresses their intention to burn some bridges, but clarifies that it will only be metaphorical bridges on the road that leads to the person they are singing about. The bridges symbolize the emotional ties and attachments that have been weighing them down.
The singer plans to go to a bar and drown their memories, indicating a desire to numb the pain and move on from the past. They have reached a point where they can no longer tolerate being manipulated and hurt by the person they once worshipped. The lyrics suggest that they have been taken for granted and their heart has been toyed with, leading to a sense of frustration and determination to break free.
In the second verse, the singer expresses their intention to burn some bridges across the "crazy river of regret." This line suggests that they want to sever the connection to their past mistakes and regrets, and find someone who will appreciate them for who they are. The hope is that by finding someone who values them, they will be able to let go of the pain and move forward.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of empowerment and a decision to no longer be a victim of a toxic relationship. The singer is taking control of their own emotions and seeking a fresh start.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight I'm going out and burn some bridges but only on the road that leads to you
Tonight, I am determined to sever connections with those who hinder my journey towards you. I will distance myself from anyone or anything that doesn't contribute to our relationship.
Find a bar and drown a million memories what else is there left for me to do
I'll seek solace in alcohol, attempting to suppress countless recollections of our past. It seems like the only option left for me to cope with the pain.
This time I won't give in and let you put me through
I resolve not to surrender this time and allow you to subject me to further emotional turmoil. I refuse to be a victim of your manipulations any longer.
Another day for you to play with a heart that worships you
I won't grant you another opportunity to toy with my adoring heart. You've had enough time to exploit my love and affection.
Cause tonight I'm going out and burn some bridges
But only on the road that leads to you
Thus, tonight I shall deliberately sever ties with certain individuals who hinder my connection with you. I will solely eliminate obstacles that interfere with our bond.
[ steel - strings ]
Instrumental break.
Cause tonight I'm going out and burn some bridges across crazy river of regret
For this evening, I am resolute in severing ties with individuals who amplify the sense of remorse within me. I aim to eliminate connections that intensify my feelings of disappointment and sorrow.
Find someone who thinks a little of me and maybe somehow then I can forget
Perhaps, I shall discover someone who appreciates me to some extent. By doing so, it might facilitate my ability to gradually forget about you and move on.
This time I won't give in...
I am determined not to succumb to your charms or manipulations this time. I won't allow you to have power over me any longer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MEL TILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind