Ricky Van Shelton was one of country music's biggest male stars during the … Read Full Bio ↴Ricky Van Shelton was one of country music's biggest male stars during the late '80s and early '90s, prior to the emergence of crossover sensations like Garth Brooks. Shelton's smooth baritone croon made him especially popular as a country-pop ballad stylist, but elsewhere he incorporated elements of rock, gospel, and classic honky tonk. Shelton was born in Danville, VA, in 1952 and grew up in the small town of Grit. He learned to sing at church and discovered country music as a teenager, performing at local gatherings whenever he could. After high school, he played the area club circuit and worked a series of day jobs, and in late 1984 he finally made the move to Nashville to make it in the business. He performed in nightclubs until a local newspaper columnist heard his demo and helped arrange a showcase that landed Shelton a deal with CBS in 1986.

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.

Just As I Am
Ricky Van Shelton Lyrics

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I was lost and aimlessly searching
Lord knows I was one lonely man
Then you came along like that old gospel song
You took me just as I am.

Just as I was about to lose hope
Just as I come to the end of my rope
You turned me around with one touch of your hand

And your love saved me just as I am.

It's amazing you saw the light shining
Though the darkness that life had left me in
And I thank heaven above you took me just as I was
And you loved me just as I am.

Just as I was about to lose hope
Just as I come to the end of my rope
You turned me around with one touch of your hand
And your love saved me just as I am.

You turned me around with one touch of your hand
And your love saved me just as I am...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ricky Van Shelton's song "Just As I Am" depict a man who was lost and had been aimlessly searching for something. It is clear that he was in a dark place in life, feeling lonely and hopeless. However, the man's despair was turned around when he met someone who accepted him for who he was, faults and all. The singer compares the person's love to the light shining through the darkness that surrounded him. The song's chorus repeats the theme that this person saved him just as he was by turning him around with one touch of their hand and loving him for who he is.

The song's message is one of unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness. It is a reminder that we are all human and fallible, but that there are people in our lives who will love us despite our imperfections. The gospel reference in the second line of the first verse reinforces this message, underscoring that the love shown to the singer is as powerful and transformative as an old gospel song.

Overall, "Just As I Am" is a touching and hopeful song that carries a powerful message. It reminds us of the importance of accepting and loving those around us for who they are, rather than judging them for their perceived flaws.

Line by Line Meaning

I was lost and aimlessly searching
I was wandering around without direction, feeling lost and hopeless.

Lord knows I was one lonely man
I was extremely lonely and had nobody to turn to for help.

Then you came along like that old gospel song
You came into my life like a beacon of hope, just like an inspiring gospel song.

You took me just as I am.
You accepted me for who I was, with all my flaws and shortcomings.

Just as I was about to lose hope
I was on the verge of giving up, losing all faith in myself and the world around me.

Just as I come to the end of my rope
I had reached the limit of my endurance, with no more strength left in me to fight.

You turned me around with one touch of your hand
You completely transformed my life, with just a single gesture of kindness and compassion.

And your love saved me just as I am.
Your unconditional love gave me hope and brought me back from the brink of despair.

It's amazing you saw the light shining
It is incredible that you were able to recognize the potential in me, despite all the darkness and negativity in my life.

Though the darkness that life had left me in
I was trapped in a state of deep despair and hopelessness, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

And I thank heaven above you took me just as I was
I am incredibly grateful that you accepted me unconditionally, just as I was at the lowest point in my life.

And you loved me just as I am.
You were able to see the beauty in me and love me for who I was, without any expectations or conditions.

You turned me around with one touch of your hand
Your simple act of kindness and compassion completely transformed my life.

And your love saved me just as I am.
Your unconditional love gave me hope and pulled me back from the brink of despair.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL NELSON, LARRY BOONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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