In 1975, following a series of earlier bands (including Bacon Fat) and some solo work, Piazza formed the Chicago Flying Saucer Band that evolved into The Mighty Flyers. As well as Piazza, the band comprised Bill Stuve (accoustic bass), Ed Mann, Honey Alexander, and Junior Watson (guitar).
The band recorded their first album as Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers, "Blues in the Dark", in 1991, then "Alphabet Blues" in 1992. The turning point was 1993 when the band's "Live at B.B. King's Blues Club" was the NAIRD (National Association of Independent Record Distributors) award-winning Album of the Year. The band signed with Tone-Cool Records in 1997 and released the critically acclaimed "Tough and Tender".
In 1998 the band received six nominations at the W.C. Handy Awards (considered the blues equivalent of the Grammys), with Piazza winning the Best Instrumentalist Harmonica award. The band was nominated for four awards in 1999 and four in 2000. The band won Blues Band of the Year in both those years.
After the departure of long-time bassist Bill Stuve in the early 2000s, the band continued touring as Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet.
Subsequent albums include Almighty Dollar (2011), Emergency Situation (2014).
Sleeping In The Ground
Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers Lyrics
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I would rather see you sleeping in the ground
Than to stay around here if you're gonna put me down
Well, I give you all my money, everything I own
Well, I give you all my money, everything I own
Well, some day I'm gonna get lucky, and down the road you know I'm goin'
Well, I would rather see you sleeping in the ground
Than to stay around here if you're gonna put me down
You know I give you all my money, yeah little girl, everything I own
Well, I give you all my money, everything I own.
Well, today I'm gonna get lucky, and down the road you know I'm goin'
The lyrics to "Sleeping in the Ground" by Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers express a longing to end a tumultuous relationship. The singer would rather see their partner "sleeping in the ground", or dead, than continue the cycle of being put down and manipulated. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song underlines the desperation and finality of this wish.
The singer also admits to giving everything they have to their partner, only to be left feeling used and under-appreciated. Despite this, they remain hopeful for the future and express a belief in finding better luck down the road. Overall, the message of the song is one of empowerment and the courage to leave toxic relationships behind.
Line by Line Meaning
I would rather see you sleeping in the ground
I would prefer for you to be dead and buried than to remain in my presence and continue to belittle me.
Than to stay around here if you're gonna put me down
I would rather not be in your company if you persist in criticizing and insulting me.
Well, I give you all my money, everything I own
I have given you all of my wealth and possessions without reservation.
Well, some day I'm gonna get lucky, and down the road you know I'm goin'
I believe that one day I will have good fortune and move on to a better situation elsewhere.
You know I give you all my money, yeah little girl, everything I own
I want you to understand that I have given you all of my material possessions, despite your mistreatment of me.
Well, today I'm gonna get lucky, and down the road you know I'm goin'
I remain optimistic that someday soon I will have a stroke of luck and be able to leave for a better situation.
Contributed by Adam N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.