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.”
The Heartbreak Girl
Sam Riggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Draw them closer in with every move, you got them buzzing like a neon.
And there you are a silhouette inside a smoky bar.
You string em up just like an old guitar and then you play them like a sad song.
And they do anything to keep you talking and you lead them all on one drink at a time.
I'm gonna sit back and watch this show unwind
oh a breakdowns coming it's a matter of time. the clock strikes midnight you'll have them out on the floor.
oh you're knocking em down with the swing of your hips.
They're fallin for you oh I've seen this all before.
Oh they'll give anything in this world but they just don't know, that you can't break the heartbreak girl.
It's no surprise
Honey I can see it in your eyes.
With every double shot of 90 proof lies you're dancing closer to the edge.
Way up on this tightrope blind you're walking you don't seem to give a damn about the fall.
I'm gonna sit back and watch this show unwind,
Oh a breakdowns coming it's a matter of time the clock strikes midnight you'll have them out on the floor.
Heart on the line and love on your lips
Oh you're knocking em down with the swing of your hips
They're fallin for you oh I've seen this all before.
Oh they'll give anything in this world but they just don't know that you can't break the heartbreak girl.
Sugar there you go in your black dress, black dress.
I'm doing what I can to make the best out of this, it took me a while to see, it's got nothing to do with me.
You set em up, set em up. Knock em down.
Should've known better when you came around, guess that I was hoping I would prove em wrong, you were breaking hearts all along.
I'm gonna sit back and watch this show unwind.
Oh a breakdowns coming it's a matter of time the clock strikes midnight, you'll have them out on the floor.
Heart on the line and love on your lips
Oh you're knocking em down with the swing of your hips
They're fallin for you I've seen this all before. Oh they'll give anything in this world but they just don't know, that you can't break the heartbreak girl.
Oh you can't break the heartbreak girl.
No you can't break the heartbreak girl.
In Sam Riggs's song The Heartbreak Girl, the singer is observing a woman who attracts the attention of every man in the room with just her presence. He paints a picture of her as a seductive force, almost like a predator, who lures men in with her charm and then breaks their hearts. The singer is almost helpless as he watches her draw her victims in with her teasing moves and sweet talk, knowing that she is playing a dangerous game that will end in heartbreak for all involved.
As the song progresses, the singer's observations turn into a warning. He knows that this woman is a heartbreaker and that sooner or later, she will destroy the men who fall under her spell. The clock is ticking, and he can see that the end is coming. He warns the men to be careful and not give their hearts to her, but they are blinded by their attraction to her.
The chorus reinforces this warning, with the phrase "you can't break the heartbreak girl," implying that this woman is unstoppable in her quest to seduce and destroy. The song ends with the singer resigned to his fate, watching as the woman he cannot resist continues to work her magic on those around her.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at you, you captivate em from across the room.
You have a strong presence and people are drawn to you from afar.
Draw them closer in with every move, you got them buzzing like a neon.
Your actions and energy make people feel attracted to you and energized in your presence.
And there you are a silhouette inside a smoky bar.
You have a mysterious quality that draws people in but keeps them at a distance.
You string em up just like an old guitar and then you play them like a sad song.
You attract people with ease and then proceed to play with their emotions like an instrument.
And they do anything to keep you talking and you lead them all on one drink at a time.
People are willing to do anything to keep your attention and you string them along with false promises and alcohol.
I'm gonna sit back and watch this show unwind
I'm not going to interfere in this situation or try to change your behavior.
oh a breakdowns coming it's a matter of time.
Your reckless behavior will eventually cause negative consequences for yourself and others.
Heart on the line and love on your lips
You are playing with people's emotions and portraying yourself as a romantic interest.
oh you're knocking em down with the swing of your hips.
Your physical appearance and movements are a powerful tool for manipulating and drawing people in.
They're fallin for you oh I've seen this all before.
People are becoming emotionally invested in you, but I know that your behavior is not genuine or sustainable.
Oh they'll give anything in this world but they just don't know, that you can't break the heartbreak girl.
People are willing to give you everything, but they don't realize that you are not capable of forming genuine emotional connections and will ultimately disappoint them.
Honey I can see it in your eyes.
Your true intentions are reflected in your eyes and are visible to me.
With every double shot of 90 proof lies you're dancing closer to the edge.
Your reliance on alcohol and dishonesty is pushing you towards a dangerous and unstable place.
Way up on this tightrope blind you're walking you don't seem to give a damn about the fall.
You are taking risks and are seemingly unconcerned with the potential negative consequences.
Sugar there you go in your black dress, black dress.
You are presenting yourself in a seductive and alluring way, but it is just a façade.
I'm doing what I can to make the best out of this, it took me a while to see, it's got nothing to do with me.
I am realizing that your behavior is not related to me and I am doing my best to detach myself from the situation.
You set em up, set em up. Knock em down.
You are intentionally manipulating and hurting people for your own gain.
Should've known better when you came around, guess that I was hoping I would prove em wrong, you were breaking hearts all along.
I should have recognized your manipulative behavior from the beginning and instead I foolishly hoped that you were different.
No you can't break the heartbreak girl.
You cannot truly hurt me or anyone else because we are aware of your true nature and are no longer emotionally invested in you.
Contributed by Zachary D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.