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 September 17, 2013. 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”; the perfect vocal accompaniment by Hubbard himself on “Angola’s Lament”; 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.”
Long Shot
Sam Riggs and The Night People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aimin' strait for your heart
I strike a fuse in the fading light
Just as the summer goes dark
And everybody's got a fall back plan
A place to be when the lights go down
Girl you've always been my main event
A show stopper in this rip tide town
I know if feels like a long shot baby
Two broken hearts in a leap of faith
A faint heart never won fair lady
And loosin' you is more than I can take
And I won't sit on the shoreline
As love slips through our hands
And hearts break on the coast of California
They wash away like footprints in the sand
The bright colors of the boardwalk lights
Shine on your face
All of the noise from the carnival rides
Can't drown out the pain
But call me out on my hard luck baby
I need redemption tonight
Scatter your troubles like stars on the water
Let'em go with the tides
I know if feels like a long shot baby
Two broken hearts in a leap of faith
A faint heart never won fair lady
And loosin' you is more than I can take
And I won't sit on the shoreline
As love slips through our hands
And hearts break on the coast of California
They wash away like footprints on the sand
I know if feels like a long shot baby
Two broken hearts in a leap of faith
A faint heart never won fair lady
And loosin' you is more than I can take
And I won't sit on the shoreline
As love slips through our hands
And hearts break on the coast of California
They wash away like footprints on the sand
The song “Long Shot” by Sam Riggs and The Night People speaks about love slipping away and the fear of loss that comes with it. The opening lines evoke a sense of danger, as the waves sound like cannons aimed straight for the heart. This danger is amplified by the fading light of summer, signalling the end of a season and possibly the end of a relationship.
The singer is aware of the possibility of a fallback plan in the face of heartbreak, but remains steadfast in their pursuit of love, especially with the girl who has always been his “main event,” a show-stopper in this rip tide town. The chorus describes the leap of faith required in love, expressed through the long shot metaphor, with two broken hearts taking the chance in spite of the fear. The singer is determined not to just sit and watch love slip away as hearts break on the coast of California, the idyllic setting contrasting with the harsh reality of emotional pain.
Overall, “Long Shot” is a song that speaks to the universal truth of the fragility of love, the fear of loss, and the courage required to take risks. It captures the tension between the danger and beauty of love and the hope that it will prevail against the odds.
Line by Line Meaning
The waves sound like cannons tonight
The sound of the waves is intense and alarming.
Aimin' strait for your heart
It feels like the waves are directed at your heart, adding to the intensity.
I strike a fuse in the fading light
As the sun sets, I ignite a spark of hope.
Just as the summer goes dark
As the season ends, there's a sense of loss.
And everybody's got a fall back plan
People always have a backup option in case of failure.
A place to be when the lights go down
A safe haven to retreat to when things get tough.
Girl you've always been my main event
You're the most important thing in my life, my main priority.
A show stopper in this rip tide town
You stand out in this tumultuous town, despite the challenges.
I know if feels like a long shot baby
I understand that this is a difficult situation.
Two broken hearts in a leap of faith
We're taking a big risk, given our past heartbreaks.
A faint heart never won fair lady
You need to be brave and willing to take chances to succeed in love.
And loosin' you is more than I can take
I can't bear the thought of losing you.
And I won't sit on the shoreline
I refuse to be passive and let love slip away.
As love slips through our hands
Love is unstable and easily lost.
And hearts break on the coast of California
The location is a metaphor for the fragility of love and the pain that comes with it.
They wash away like footprints in the sand
Love, like footprints, can be washed away and forgotten.
The bright colors of the boardwalk lights
The vibrant lights create a sense of excitement and energy.
Shine on your face
I'm drawn to your beauty and brightness in the midst of darkness.
All of the noise from the carnival rides
Despite the distractions around us, I'm focused on you.
Can't drown out the pain
The pain of our pasts still lingers.
But call me out on my hard luck baby
I'm willing to face my struggles head on, with your help.
I need redemption tonight
I'm hoping for a fresh start and a chance to make things right.
Scatter your troubles like stars on the water
Letting go of your worries and fears can be freeing and beautiful.
Let'em go with the tides
Trust that the natural flow of life will carry your troubles away.
Contributed by Brooklyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frannie Henderson
This guy is AWESOME!!! Love the words :-)
Neil T
Fabulous -getting into his solo albums -found this -great album too -love his stuff
dsimondublin
Awesome song! Hope to see him at LJT one year
Alyssa Mae
<3