Run C&W was an American novelty bluegrass group that was active in the earl… Read Full Bio ↴Run C&W was an American novelty bluegrass group that was active in the early 1990s, playing mostly cover renditions of classic soul and R&B songs in a bluegrass or roots country style, including banjo, harmonica, washboard, and multi-part vocal harmonies. They also played a handful of original parody songs. The band's name is a mix of the abbreviation for the "country & western" music genre (C&W), and Run DMC, a popular hip-hop group of the time.

The band was composed of veteran musicians including lead vocalist Russell Smith, formerly of the Amazing Rhythm Aces; banjoist Bernie Leadon, formerly of the Eagles and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; along with Nashville songwriters Jim Photoglo and Vince Melamed, both of whom played various instruments. In performance and in the album artwork and liner notes, the members portrayed fictitious non-identical quadruplets The Burns Brothers, each with pun names: Crash'n Burns, G.W. "Wash" Burns, Side Burns, and Rug Burns. Their father was known as "Dad Burns" and their mother as Augusta "Au" Burns.

Run C&W recorded two albums, both on MCA Records: 1993's Into the Twangy-First Century, followed by 1994's Row vs. Wade, and filmed at least one music video.

In the tradition of Bands such as The Traveling Wilburys, Run C&W was a Band which had consisted of four key Musicians who pretended to be a Bluegrass Band who had no knowledge of modern day life and therefore would perform 1960's Soul Hits as if they were traditionally accurate Tunes in the Bluegrass or Country & Western Genres. One prime example is when you hear a herd of Cows in Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" with the Soul Brothers being replaced by Country & Western Singers instead for the Song: "Sweet Soul Music." Run C&W were as followed:

EX-Amazing Rhythm Aces Leader Russell Smith (Rug Burns), ex-Eagles and Flying Burrito Brothers guitarist Bernie Leadon (Crashen Burns), Vince Melamed (Wash Burns) and Jim Photoglo (Side Burns), collectively known as the Burns Brothers. The Background Vocals and Lyrics were hilarious too.

Their follow-up Album, dispensing with the dialogue from the previous set, added guest appearances from George Jones (Possum Burns) and Vince Gill (Sun Burns) on Joe Tex’s ‘Hold What You Got’. It was unquestionably obvious that the Band would split, with Russell Smith going on to reunite with the Amazing Rhythm Aces. Their two albums of Rhythm and Bluegrass still deserve to say in catalog to this very day.

My Girl
Run C&W Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

I've got so much honey the bees envy me

I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Ooh

I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I've got all the riches baby one man can claim
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
With my girl

I've even got the month of May
With my girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Run C&W's song "My Girl" is an ode to a special someone who brings joy and happiness to the singer's life. The opening lyrics, "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day, When it's cold outside I've got the month of May," sets the tone for the rest of the song which emphasizes that having this person in their life makes them feel invincible. They go on to say that they don't need money, fortune or fame, as having this person is all the riches they need. The chorus repeats the phrase "My girl (my girl, my girl), Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)" as an infectious and joyful way of expressing their affection.

The second verse, "I've got so much honey the bees envy me, I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees," not only speaks to the immense love and affection the singer has for his girl but also draws comparisons to nature to emphasize the joy that she brings into his life. The final verse reiterates the happiness that his girl brings into his life with the lines "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day, With my girl, I've even got the month of May, with my girl" which serves as a beautiful summation of the song.

Overall, "My Girl" is a beautiful and simple love song that celebrates the joy and happiness that a special person brings into one's life. It is a happy and infectious ode to love and affection that is sure to uplift anyone who listens to it.

Line by Line Meaning

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
Even when the day is gloomy, I am filled with happiness.

When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
Even when the outside is harsh, I feel warmth and joy in my heart.

I guess you'd say
You could say that...

What can make me feel this way?
What could be the reason for this happiness?

My girl (my girl, my girl)
It is because of my girl.

Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
I am speaking about my girl.

I've got so much honey the bees envy me
I have an abundance of good things that even the bees are jealous.

I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
My happiness is greater than even the birds' joyful chirping.

Hey hey hey
An expression of happiness and excitement.

Ooh
An expression of satisfaction and contentment.

I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I do not require material possessions, wealth or acclaim.