Receiving a hand up in this business of music from the likes of Ray Wylie Hubbard is no small accomplishment, and that mentorship – and sometimes harsh instruction – was not lost on Sam Riggs, who has had the fortunate opportunity to meander through Wylie’s cerebral countryside over the last few years. At the time of their meeting, Riggs was already a commercially-viable songwriter with an impressive root system, having sprung from his family’s musical genes; but he was still feeding off the unripe fruits of his youth. Through the songwriting school of Hubbard, he learned the time-honored virtue of patience and the aptitude for turning the rough and tumble falls to the ground into a steady, recovered gait.
“He opened my eyes to songwriting, and I could see the idiot I had been and the idiot I was going to be, and he helped me to navigate that. He taught me what it really is to be a songwriter.”
Those rough and tumble falls steadily began upon Riggs’ relocation in 2007 from his home base in Florida to Austin, Texas, after some friends brought him a CD from the prominent Texas-based band, Reckless Kelly. Their unprocessed lyrics and raw production hit Riggs squarely between the eyes, like hammer on nail, driving him to plant his personal flag in a place where he could be his own artist. His inception was less than spectacular, as he struggled to imprint himself on the hearts of Texas Music fans while also drawing heavy influence from commercial radio. With hard stares and indifferent responses, Riggs diligently worked to strip down the polish and bring out the more natural shine – a task that resulted from the truth that, as Riggs so accurately put it, “You can’t bullshit a Texan.” The experience was both a breath of fresh air and a simultaneous smack in the face, and it ultimately cultivated the signature collection that is his debut record release, OUTRUN THE SUN.
“The only thing that matters is how you interpret this life. I wanted this to be reflection of my intent and an echo of my soul as songwriter and artist.”
Following the release of the 2012 EP, Lighthouse, OUTRUN THE SUN is a perfectly ripened delicacy that will be available for the picking on October 29, 2013, on Nashville-based Vision Entertainment. Produced by Erik Herbst (Eli Young Band, Bowling For Soup, Josh Abbott Band), the debut album of Sam Riggs & The Night People signals a lyrical comprehension that reaches far beyond Sam’s years, and musical compositions that are both brave and progressive. The driving will in “Longshot”; the matter of abuse in “The Change”; and the love-provoked courage in “Lighthouse” are just a few of the towering giants included in this release.
The record is fully backed by a live show that comes out swinging and keeps the energy high. Having opened for acts that include Chris Knight; Joe Diffie; Kevin Fowler; Pat Green; the Eli Young Band; the Randy Rogers Band; and, of course, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sam Riggs & The Night People have become well-educated in the art of working a crowd. Riggs himself never fails to dazzle with his “musical chair” performances that never restrict him to one location on the stage. Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, fiddle, and even drums are all part of the magic that he hypnotically spins on a nightly basis.
“Your audience is like a dreamer, and the last thing you want to do is wake a dreamer. We try to draw them in with our music and keep them entranced in that dream.”
Lighthouse
Sam Riggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You might say I'm just a never was
I'm a little bit of both now and then
Never really stood to fight for much
But something happened when your eyes met mine
I became a different man
Heard a whisper screaming deep inside
You better ask that girl to dance
So when the lights went down
The band cranked up
We stepped out on that floor
Started out with one slow dance
I got something worth fighting for
()
Never been the kind to turn around
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
I'll be standing tall against the waves
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I had you
I drink my liquor from the bottom shelf
Smoke it if it burns
Know I'm gunna have the devil to pay
When it comes my turn
But I wouldn't ever do you wrong
I got everything to prove
Never wanted someone so strong
Until I saw you
So when the lights come on
The band tears down
I'll be the one to take you home
And when the night winds blow
You're never gunna be alone.
()
Never been the kind to turn around
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
I'll be standing tall against the waves
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I had you
In Sam Riggs's song "Lighthouse," the singer reveals a newfound purpose and strength after meeting someone special. Prior to this meeting, he has been called an "old has been" and "never was." He admits that he "never really stood to fight for much," but everything changes when he locks eyes with this person. He hears a "whisper screaming deep inside" that tells him to ask this girl to dance. From that moment on, the singer has something worth fighting for.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's newfound bravery and loyalty. He is now the kind of person who won't turn around when shots are fired, and he compares himself to a lighthouse during a hurricane - standing tall and strong against the waves. He is willing to lose everything for this person because he knows that they are worth it.
Overall, "Lighthouse" is a story about finding love and discovering strength because of it. The singer has always been a bit lost and unsure of himself, but he realizes that with this person by his side, he can be a better version of himself. It's a message of hope and determination, set to a catchy and upbeat tune.
Line by Line Meaning
You might say that I'm an old has been
Some believe that I am past my prime
You might say I'm just a never was
Some say I've never amounted to much
I'm a little bit of both now and then
There are times when I feel like I've succeeded and times when I feel I have failed
Never really stood to fight for much
I wasn't one to fight or push for anything I really wanted
But something happened when your eyes met mine
When I first saw you, my life changed in a significant way
I became a different man
Meeting you has caused me to change and become a better person
Heard a whisper screaming deep inside
I felt something deep within me telling me to take action
You better ask that girl to dance
The whisper was telling me to ask you to dance
So when the lights went down
When the environment became more intimate
The band cranked up
The music became more involved
We stepped out on that floor
We moved towards where the music was played
Started out with one slow dance
We began dancing at a comfortable pace
I got something worth fighting for
Because of you, I have something in my life that's worth striving for
Never been the kind to turn around
I never give up or back down
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
Even in difficult or dangerous situations, I'll stand my ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
If you ever needed me, I would be there to support you, no matter what difficulty you face
I'll be standing tall against the waves
I'll be there to protect you, even if there are many obstacles in the way
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
Like a lighthouse, I'll be a sturdy guide for you, even when the world is chaotic
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I didn't have you in my life, I would lose all the meaning and purpose you bring
If I had you
You are the most important person in my life, and I'm grateful to have you
I drink my liquor from the bottom shelf
I'm a simple man and don't need fancy things to be happy
Smoke it if it burns
I'll deal with the consequences if I make mistakes, because I won't go back on my word
Know I'm gunna have the devil to pay
I know I'll face consequences for my actions, but I'll still make choices I believe in
But I wouldn't ever do you wrong
Even with my flaws, I'll always treat you with the respect and love you deserve
I got everything to prove
I have a lot to offer and want to show you what I'm capable of
Never wanted someone so strong
I've never met someone as powerful and meaningful as you
Until I saw you
You have changed my life in ways I never could have anticipated
So when the lights come on
As the moment intensifies, and the music picks up
The band tears down
The musicians play with even more energy and enthusiasm
I'll be the one to take you home
I'll be there for you, to help you if you need it, and take care of you when you need to be cared for
And when the night winds blow
In the dark moments of the night
You're never gunna be alone.
I'll always be there for you, through thick and thin
Contributed by Anthony N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@scottydaleburton2393
You might say that I'm an old has been
You might say I'm just a never was
I'm a little bit of both now and then
Never really stood to fight for much
But something happened when your eyes met mine
I became a different man
Heard a whisper screaming deep inside
You better ask that girl to dance
So when the lights went down
The band cranked up
We stepped out on that floor
Started out with one slow dance
I got something worth fighting for
Never been the kind to turn around
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
I'll be standing tall against the waves
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I had you
I drink my liquor from the bottom shelf
Smoke it if it burns
Know I'm gunna have the devil to pay
When it comes my turn
But I wouldn't ever do you wrong
I got everything to prove
Never wanted someone so strong
Until I saw you
So when the lights come on
The band tears down
I'll be the one to take you home
And when the night winds blow
You're never gunna be alone
Never been the kind to turn around
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
I'll be standing tall against the waves
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I had you
Never been the kind to turn around
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
I'll be standing tall against the waves
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I had you
@scottydaleburton2393
You might say that I'm an old has been
You might say I'm just a never was
I'm a little bit of both now and then
Never really stood to fight for much
But something happened when your eyes met mine
I became a different man
Heard a whisper screaming deep inside
You better ask that girl to dance
So when the lights went down
The band cranked up
We stepped out on that floor
Started out with one slow dance
I got something worth fighting for
Never been the kind to turn around
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
I'll be standing tall against the waves
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I had you
I drink my liquor from the bottom shelf
Smoke it if it burns
Know I'm gunna have the devil to pay
When it comes my turn
But I wouldn't ever do you wrong
I got everything to prove
Never wanted someone so strong
Until I saw you
So when the lights come on
The band tears down
I'll be the one to take you home
And when the night winds blow
You're never gunna be alone
Never been the kind to turn around
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
I'll be standing tall against the waves
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I had you
Never been the kind to turn around
Shots fired I won't hit the ground
When your back's against the wall you know exactly where I'll be
I'll be standing tall against the waves
Just like a lighthouse in a hurricane
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
I'd have everything to lose and nothing left to gain
If I had you
@luisalovemalong1699
I freaking love his songs😘😘💗💗
@pennylynn8925
Not sure how I am just discovering you guys, but better late than never. I love, love, love this song and cannot wait to see y’all live when you come to Houston! Sam, you guys rock... and your drummer’s absolute awesomeness doesn't hurt either ;)
@paulajane9828
Love your song forever needs to be played on country good to hear real country music ♥️🤠🎸💯📻
@duangpornjensen3296
Love this song, thank you
@jarodlayton2206
Brilliant!!!!!! simply genius writing, comps, keep it up brother ......I love that REAL stuff.
@BestHypnotist
Sam, I was a dedicated "NOT fan" of country but you've fixed that. Great music.
@JimmiRaeGarland
Excellent song!
@itsyourparadigm1961
Love the video. Love the song. Love the band. Keep making amazing music SR&TNP.
@1983bigted
Amazing song just seen them live at guitars and cadillacs saloon in Springfield Il, if u get the chance to see them in person go see them they are worth the ticket fee
@heathervance-nelson7487
Great music...