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 Lucky Ones
Sam Riggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody you just saw in the hallway
Got our Kicks between class
Spittin' dip Talkin' trash
Breaking rules and making
Bad Grades
taking the long way home
with the three six up
we didnt know back then
But I sure know now
We were the the lucky ones
Raised up to be fighters
Swinging at everything
That we could see
Through hungry eyes
We were the lucky ones
Hell bent and Full of fire
Giving it everything we had
to keep our dreams alive
We were poor and we were wild and we were young
We were the lucky ones
Between the blood and the sweat
calloused hands,
you can bet working hard
is all we had ever known
And all of the girls and the cars,
busted lips, broken hearts
Came alive out on those
Back roads
Just a bunch of small town kids
looking for trouble when the sun went down
The best nights of our lives was all we found
We were the lucky ones
Raised up to be fighters
Swinging at everything
That we could see
Through hungry eyes
We were the lucky ones
Hell bent and Full of fire
Giving it everything we had
to keep our dreams alive
We were the lucky ones
We were poor and we were wild and we were young
And it made me
into the man I have become
'Cause I was a Lucky one
Raised up to be fighter
Swinging at everything
That Icould see
Through hungry eyes
'Cause we were the Lucky ones
Hell bent and Full of fire
Giving it everything we had
to keep our dreams alive
We were poor and we were wild and we were young
We were the Lucky ones
We were the Lucky ones
The lyrics to Sam Riggs’s song The Lucky Ones depict everyday life experiences of a group of teenagers growing up in a small town. The singer of the song and his group of friends, the Drifters and Jokers, were characterized by talking trash, spitting dip, breaking rules, and making bad grades. However, despite all the rebelliousness and opposition against authority, they possessed an inherent ability to not only survive but thrive no matter the circumstances. The group depended on each other and gained a sense of purpose that helped them navigate through life’s challenges. Through hard work and determination, they were able to achieve their dreams, even if it meant taking the long way home with the windows down and the three six up.
Line by Line Meaning
We were the Drifters, Jokers
We were unfocused and playful, not taking life too seriously.
Somebody you just saw in the hallway
We were just regular people, nothing special about us.
Got our Kicks between class
We found ways to have fun during school, goofing off instead of paying attention.
Spittin' dip Talkin' trash
We were carefree and rebellious, doing things we weren't supposed to and acting tough.
Breaking rules and making bad Grades
We were not academically successful, choosing to break rules and misbehave instead of learning.
taking the long way home with the three six up and the windows down
We took our time getting home, enjoying music and a carefree attitude by playing our favorite songs loud and with the windows down.
we didnt know back then But I sure know now
We didn't fully understand how our experiences would shape us then, but with hindsight, we see how much they impacted our lives.
Between the blood and the sweat calloused hands, you can bet working hard is all we had ever known
We worked hard with our hands, often to the point of injury ('blood and sweat' and 'calloused hands').
And all of the girls and the cars, busted lips, broken hearts came alive out on those back roads
We found life in our adventures, often with reckless behaviors and experiencing the consequences of our actions.
Just a bunch of small town kids looking for trouble when the sun went down
As small town kids, we sought excitement and thrills when the day ended and nighttime began.
The best nights of our lives was all we found
Our most memorable and exhilarating experiences were the ones from our youth, when we were wild and free.
And it made me into the man I have become
These experiences, though sometimes reckless and dangerous, helped shape who I am today.
'Cause I was a Lucky one
I feel fortunate to have had these experiences, despite their risks and consequences.
Raised up to be fighter Swinging at everything That Icould see Through hungry eyes
We grew up with a fighting spirit, taking on any challenge or opportunity that came our way with a 'hungry' attitude.
'Cause we were the Lucky ones Hell bent and Full of fire Giving it everything we had to keep our dreams alive We were poor and we were wild and we were young
We lived with energy and passion, determined to achieve our dreams and goals, despite our challenging circumstances and limited resources.
We were the Lucky ones
Above all, we feel grateful to have had these experiences and memories that shaped who we have become.
Contributed by Samuel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@scottydaleburton2393
We were the drifters, jokers
Somebody you just saw in the hallway
Got our kicks between class
Spittin' dip talkin' trash
Breaking rules and making bad grades
Taking the long way home
With the three six up
And the windows down
We didn't know back then
But I sure know now
We were the the lucky ones
Raised up to be fighters
Swinging at everything
That we could see
Through hungry eyes
We were the lucky ones
Hell bent and full of fire
Giving it everything we had
To keep our dreams alive
We were poor and we were wild and we were young
We were the lucky ones
Between the blood and the sweat
Calloused hands, you can bet
Working hard is all we had ever known
And all of the girls and the cars
Busted lips, broken hearts
Came alive out on those back roads
Just a bunch of small town kids
Looking for trouble when the sun went down
The best nights of our lives was all we found
We were the lucky ones
Raised up to be fighters
Swinging at everything
That we could see
Through hungry eyes
We were the lucky ones
Hell bent and full of fire
Giving it everything we had
To keep our dreams alive
We were the lucky ones
We were poor and we were wild and we were young
And it made me into the man I have become
'Cause I was a lucky one
Raised up to be fighter
Swinging at everything
That I could see
Through hungry eyes
'Cause we were the lucky ones
Hell bent and full of fire
Giving it everything we had
To keep our dreams alive
We were poor and we were wild and we were young
We were the lucky ones
We were the lucky ones
@ring3143
I remind my brothers every time this song plays! We lived it!
@April212010
I love this song... I can't wait to hear it in concert soon
@acr5032
I love this song great job Sam
@leatherheart7081
Those of us who appreciate good music like this...we're the lucky ones.
@tresgarrett5487
So glad my local radio station played this song today, love it man
@sethc2305
Walked out to this song at graduation tonight and this fits us to a T i will always remember this night thank you to everyone I've met throughout my highschool years ❤😭😭😭😁😁😁😁😁 can't wait to see what's in store for me and my fellow graduates
@leatherheart7081
Congratulations on your graduation❣️ Blessed and happy turnouts be the path of your future.
@gabrielrealtalk3519
Seth C I graduate in 12’ my reunion is in 2 years....
@tameraburk8687
You’re so amazing! Thank you for playing a song for my murdered brother at the backyard ! You put on one hell of a show . Guess bubba had great taste in music
@kaylaweeks9240
Here goes nothing my Bubba would say 😆