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.”
Your Troubadour
Sam Riggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna breath you in
its gonna be so long till i come this way again
the leaves they start to turn
and fall softly to the ground
just like the tears you cry those nights im not around
()
the songs that i will write you will finally say the words that i can't find lying right here by your side
and i will leave a message engraved upon your heart
ill want you evermore
signed your troubadour
and the air is close tonight
just like velvet on your skin
so darling take my arms
and pull me in, pull me in
cause when the lights go down
thats when it starts to hurt
when all i have of you
is the faint smell of your perfume on my shirt
()
so when sleep finds you i will find my way from your bed and out into the night
the songs that i will write you will finally say the words that i can't find lying right here by your side
and i will leave a message engraved upon your heart
ill want you evermore
signed your troubadour
when sleep finds you
i will find my way
from your bed
and out into the night
songs that i will write you will finally say
words i can't find lying right here by your side
and i will leave a message engraved upon your heart
ill want you evermore
signed your troubadour
your troubadour
your troubador
signed your troubadour
The song "Your Troubadour" by Sam Riggs is a poignant reflection on the love of someone who must leave their loved one behind to live out their dreams. The lyrical message is somewhat tragic, and the melody is equally mournful. The song describes the difficulty of leaving someone behind, even when it is for a good reason. The lyrics are full of sorrow and regret, as the singer struggles with the fact that he has to leave the woman he loves.
The first verse of the song indicates the man's desire never to leave the woman he loves. He cherishes their time together and opens up about those moments when they won't be together anymore. The man brings up the fall season, which usually indicates the start of a long winter season. The metaphorical comparison of falling leaves to tears that flow down in their parting somehow shows a depth of emotion with which he's overtaken. Then, the chorus says he wants to write songs for her and engrave messages in her heart. He wants to bring closeness between them even when apart.
The second verse draws the couple's connection when they are together physically, and he describes how the air feels around them. When the lights go low, he describes how he yearns for her more. He wants to leave something behind by which she remembers him, his music - something that will last forever. The song implies the passing of time and memories that remain even when someone is gone, and the fact that there are always ways to hold onto what was shared. It's a bittersweet homage to the power of love, even when it's not always physical.
Line by Line Meaning
baby don't close your eyes
Please don't shut your eyes
I wanna breath you in
I want to take in your smell
its gonna be so long till i come this way again
It will be a while until I return
the leaves they start to turn
The changing of seasons is starting
and fall softly to the ground
And they gently descend to the earth
just like the tears you cry those nights im not around
Just like the tears you shed when I'm not there with you
so when sleep finds you i will find my way from your bed and out into the night
So when you're asleep, I will exit your bed and leave in the darkness
the songs that i will write you will finally say the words that i can't find lying right here by your side
The songs I write for you will convey the words I can't express while I'm by your side
and i will leave a message engraved upon your heart
And I will imprint a message on your heart
ill want you evermore
I will always desire you
signed your troubadour
Your troubadour, who signs off on this message
and the air is close tonight
The atmosphere is heavy and intimate tonight
just like velvet on your skin
It feels like velvet against your skin
so darling take my arms
So, my dear, please hold onto me
and pull me in, pull me in
And bring me close, pull me close
cause when the lights go down
Because when the lights dim
thats when it starts to hurt
That's when the pain begins
when all i have of you
When all I have left of you
is the faint smell of your perfume on my shirt
Is the lingering scent of your fragrance on my clothing
your troubadour
I am your troubadour
signed your troubadour
I sign off on this message as your troubadour
Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lucyporterfield7021
Saw them once now I can't get enough! Love, love, love Sam Riggs!!!! Seeing them again this Thursday!
@hersheykisses297
The lyrics to this song always gives me goosebumps. I LOVE this song. I can’t get enough of it. What an amazing writer
@AlysiaNoey420
WOW, I'M SO GLAD I FOUND THESE GUYS!!! AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!
@travisbrown9056
Sam Riggs is the best singer and musician that I've ever heard in my life he sings and plays about real life & heartbreak and love he goes straight to my heart when he plays because I've gone and still am going through this heartbreak and pain he's the only one that makes me feel like I'm not the only one who is going through what I am going through I just want her back but I don't know what to when they Don't Love you no More but you love them with more than your heart what do you do just move on or keep trying with everything you have inside of you or just give up your music gets me through every day feeling like there's Hope it makes me cry when I think about
@miagum5756
Damnit @samriggsmusic always kills me with his songs 😫 my man is away in the military and this song and One More Chance to Stay ALWAYS pulls on my heart strings... Those songs will definitely be the ones for our first dance ❤️
@paulajane9828
I love everything about this song forever so sweet needs to be played on country radio thanks for singing real country music 💯🎸🤠♥️📻
@iupfan352
This is one of my favorite songs!!
@ginamonceballez1063
Saw them preform a couple of times in Corpus Christi Tx! They were amazing! Definitely need to check them out when you can!
@_Dead_Man_Walking_
I like all of his music but this one is number one to me i listen to it on repeat alot thinking of "Her".
@samriggsmusic
Thank you!