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.
Wild Man
Ricky Van Shelton Lyrics
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Oh, I know it so well I think I can drive and fly
I'm steady as a wall but underneath it all
I'm gonna blow the roof off one of these nights.
I can't deny that somewhere inside there's a wild man
Momma always said, "Son, don't you let it get out of hand."
If I go crazy now and then baby, you've got to understand
Coming through the door I know what it's all for
Why I'm walking the line as far as the line will go
Wound up so tight but I know tonight
I don't have to hold back when I'm holding you close.
I can't deny that somewhere inside there's a wild man
Momma always said, "Son, don't you let it get out of hand."
So if I go crazy now and then baby, you've got to understand
Oh, I'm a wild man, yeah, that's what I am, I'm a wild man.
I can't deny that somewhere inside there's a wild man
Momma always said, "Son, don't you let it get out of hand."
So if I go crazy now and then baby, you've got to understand
Oh, I'm a wild man, yeah, that's what I am
Oh, I'm a wild man, I'm a wild man...
In "Wild Man" by Ricky Van Shelton, the singer portrays himself as a steady and reliable man who has a wild side that he occasionally struggles to control. As the lyrics suggest, he is very familiar with the routine of life, driving down the same old road over and over again. He feels like he can almost do it with his eyes closed; he's that experienced. But the wildness within him is always brewing, and one day he knows it's going to break out. He hopes he can keep it under wraps and channel it in a more productive way, but the inevitability of it all is weighing on him.
The singer then shifts his focus to his romantic partner, who he needs to understand this about him. He has a wildness about him that he struggles to control but knows she can help him reign in. While he claims that he is a steady and reliable man, he acknowledges that he has a wild side. He frequently visits the edge of what is socially acceptable in his search for excitement but recognizes that this needs to be controlled. These lyrics raise the question of identity, control, and the acceptance of one's self in the face of society's expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Running down the road, same old, same old
Traveling, always the same routine.
Oh, I know it so well I think I can drive and fly
Very familiar with the routine, it's like second nature.
I'm steady as a wall but underneath it all
Appears calm and collected, but there's a wild side.
I'm gonna blow the roof off one of these nights.
Eventually, the wild side will come to the surface.
I can't deny that somewhere inside there's a wild man
Admitting that there's a wild side that exists.
Momma always said, "Son, don't you let it get out of hand."
Mother warned to keep the wild side in check.
If I go crazy now and then baby, you've got to understand
Asking for understanding if the wild side comes out.
Oh, I'm a wild man, yeah, that's what I am, I'm a wild man.
Acknowledging that the wild side is a part of who he is.
Coming through the door I know what it's all for
Knowing the purpose of why he's doing what he's doing.
Why I'm walking the line as far as the line will go
Pushing the boundaries, but not crossing them... yet.
Wound up so tight but I know tonight
Feeling tense but anticipating release.
I don't have to hold back when I'm holding you close.
Can let loose when he's with someone he trusts.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD C. GILES, SUSAN LONGACRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jeff Hardin
What a voice. Went to see him one time at a terrible venue. Coundnt see him at all from my seat, so i just relaxed and closed my eyes and listened to his voice. It was beautiful.
Marjorie Messer
As far as I can tell, Ricky Van Shelton has never recorded a "bad" son. He has a voice that is superb!
Joshua Brooks
One of the many songs that started the country music line dance craze in the early nineties. It's sad knowing that this was Ricky's last top five hit. Talk about going out on top, though.
Eddie Schwab
He had a few others hits after that but him and other artists like him such as Rodney Crowell got overshadowed by Achy Breaky crap.
Greg Griffeth
Can't help but love Ricky Van Shelton. Like his country music and voice. Thanks for the memories of the 80's
Mike Walsh
this may be aged but it will always be irrresistible ricky,s voice and the backing band the best
Ken Chisholm
I love Ricky voice. wish I could see him live.
Dave Wollenberg
ACC's #90 song of the '93 survey year. Ricky hit #5 in Billboard, 1-30-93. God bless you, brother Ricky!
Jennifer Dijames
Ricky is a great singer. Go ahead Ricky. I miss hearing your voice.
Danny Phelps
Yes im a wild MAN