Shelton released his debut album, Wild-Eyed Dream, in 1987, and his first-ever single, "Crime of Passion," hit the country Top Ten. Its follow-up, "Somebody Lied," went all the way to number one; so did the album, and so did another single, "Life Turned Her That Way." Shelton quickly recorded a follow-up album, Loving Proof, which appeared in 1988 and also topped the country charts; it spun off three number one hits in "I'll Leave This World Loving You," "From a Jack to a King," and "Living Proof," while "Hole in My Pocket" made the Top Five. While readying his third proper album, Shelton also completed two specialty projects: the 1989 holiday album Ricky Van Shelton Sings Christmas and the 1990 gospel record Don't Overlook Salvation. Meanwhile, his official follow-up to Loving Proof, RVS III, was released in 1990 and became his third number one album. "I've Cried My Last Tear for You" gave him another number one single, while "I Meant Every Word He Said" and "Statue of a Fool" both topped out at number two; "Life's Little Ups and Downs" also made the Top Five. In 1991, Shelton teamed up with Dolly Parton for the chart-topping duet "Rockin' Years" and subsequently issued another album, Backroads. Though it just missed the top of the country charts, Backroads kept his hit streak going strong, producing two more number ones in "Keep It Between the Lines" and "I Am a Simple Man" (giving him a total of nine) and a number two hit in the title track.
Musical tastes can shift quickly, and by the time Shelton conquered the alcohol abuse that had begun to take a toll on his personal life, Garth Brooks was completely altering the contemporary country landscape. To hold fans over, he released Greatest Hits Plus in 1992, and its newly recorded track, "Wild Man," hit the Top Five. He returned in 1993 with A Bridge I Didn't Burn, but the album didn't spawn any huge hits, as had been expected; it went gold, but it was the only Ricky Van Shelton album to date that ultimately failed to go platinum. 1994's Love and Honor continued his commercial downturn, and tensions with Columbia led Shelton to part ways with his label a couple years later. He busied himself with, among other projects, a series of children's books centered around the character Quacker the Duck that he'd begun several years earlier. He also formed his own label, RVS, and recorded an album on his own called Making Plans, which he distributed via an exclusive agreement with the Wal-Mart store chain in 1997. The following year, Vanguard stepped in to give the record a wider release. Shelton subsequently signed with the Audium label, home to many veteran country artists, and recorded a new album, Fried Green Tomatoes, in 2000.
Backroads
Ricky Van Shelton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got the radio blastin'
I've got the windows rolled down
And I'm cruisin' these backroads
On the outskirts of town
I can feel the wind a-blowin'
Hear the big engines whine
All my troubles are behind
Well when I woke up this morning
Well I took me a look outside
It was plain to see it was one of those days
Tailor-made for taking a ride
So I went downstairs and cleared my head
With coffee and cigarettes
And when it hit me right there
Then my mind was set
Well I phoned work and told'em
They're going to be a man short today
I got the sunny day blues, there's only one thing
That's gonna make them go away
So I went out and I climbed in to my big ol' Chevrolet
And with a turn of the key and a cloud of dust
I was on my way
REPEAT CHORUS
Well maybe I did maybe I didn't
Go and lose my job today
But you can take my cares, take my worries
And blow them all away
For there comes a time in any man's life
When he's got to break free
I got four good wheels and an endless road
Stretched out in front of me
REPEAT CHORUS
REPEAT CHORUS
Ricky Van Shelton's song "Backroads" is a classic country song that tells the story of a man who is feeling stuck and overwhelmed by his daily routine. The song is about the freedom and healing that he finds when he hits the open road, blasting his radio and feeling the wind in his hair. The chorus of the song captures the feeling of freedom and release, as he cruises down the backroads on the outskirts of town.
The first verse of the song sets the scene for the rest of the song, describing a morning when the man knows that he needs to escape from his current situation. He takes his time to clear his head with coffee and cigarettes before he finally decides to hit the road. The second verse reveals that the man has likely skipped work to take this journey and that he has no regrets. He is free from his cares and worries as he drives down the endless road ahead.
The overall message of "Backroads" is one of escape and freedom. The man in the song is seeking refuge from the stresses of his life and finds it in the simple pleasures of cruising down the backroads. Through this journey, he finds a way to leave his troubles behind and embrace the open road ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the radio blastin'
I'm listening to loud music.
I've got the windows rolled down
I'm driving with the car windows open.
And I'm cruisin' these backroads
I'm driving on less-traveled roads.
On the outskirts of town
I'm driving on the outskirts of a city.
I can feel the wind a-blowin'
I can feel the wind blowing in my face.
Hear the big engines whine
I can hear the sound of the car's engine.
When I'm cruisin' these backroads
I feel relaxed and free when driving on these roads.
All my troubles are behind
I forget about my worries when driving on these roads.
Well when I woke up this morning
At the start of the day.
Well I took me a look outside
I looked out the window.
It was plain to see it was one of those days
It was obvious that it was a good day for driving.
Tailor-made for taking a ride
Perfect for driving around.
So I went downstairs and cleared my head
I went downstairs and relaxed.
With coffee and cigarettes
Drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.
And when it hit me right there
I had an idea.
Then my mind was set
I decided what to do.
Well I phoned work and told'em
I called work to let them know.
They're going to be a man short today
I won't be going to work today.
I got the sunny day blues, there's only one thing
I'm feeling down because of the nice weather, but I know what will cheer me up.
That's gonna make them go away
Driving will make me feel better.
So I went out and I climbed in to my big ol' Chevrolet
I got in my big Chevrolet car.
And with a turn of the key and a cloud of dust
I started the car and drove off quickly, causing dust to fly.
I was on my way
I started my journey.
Well maybe I did maybe I didn't
It's unclear if I actually lost my job.
Go and lose my job today
I may have lost my job on this day.
But you can take my cares, take my worries
My worries and cares can be forgotten for a moment during the drive.
And blow them all away
The drive makes me forget my worries completely.
For there comes a time in any man's life
At some point, everyone realizes they need a break.
When he's got to break free
When a person needs to escape their daily routine.
I got four good wheels and an endless road
I have a reliable car and the freedom to drive as far as I want.
Stretched out in front of me
The road ahead of me is long and open.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHARLES BERNARD MAJOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind