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.”
The Chase
Sam Riggs and The Night People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just how take my breath away
so let it breathe let it rise
let it tear me up inside
again
and tell me, why do you wait so long
why do you keep me hanging on to whispers in the dark
and tell me
what do ive got to do
to be on the winning side of your heart
oh it just aint right
to be one beat away from a heartbreak tonight
everytime you say my name
it feels like thunder in my veins
sweaty palms and shaky hands
we step on the floor to dance, again
and tell me, why do you wait so long
why do you keep me hanging on to whispers in the dark
and tell me
what do ive got to say and
what do ive got to do
to be on the winning side of your heart
oh it just aint right
to be one beat away from a heartbreak tonight
and tell me, why do you wait so long
why do you keep me hanging on to whispers in the dark
and tell me
what do ive got to say and
what do ive got to do
to be on the winning side of your heart
oh it just aint right
to be one beat away from a heartbreak tonight
(just aint right)
(just aint right)
to be one beat away from a heartbreak tonight
"The Chase" by Sam Riggs and The Night People is a song about the tension and uncertainty surrounding a romantic pursuit. The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply enamored with someone but can't tell if their feelings are reciprocated. The opening lines, "You don't know and I can't say, Just how you take my breath away," capture this sense of uncertainty and longing. The singer is swept up in their emotions, but they aren't sure if the other person feels the same way.
Throughout the song, the singer urges the other person to be honest about their feelings, asking, "why do you wait so long, why do you keep me hanging on to whispers in the dark?" They are desperate to know what they need to say or do to win the other person over, but they also acknowledge that they are "one beat away from a heartbreak tonight." This line suggests that the singer is aware of the fragility of their situation and is afraid of getting hurt.
The chorus is particularly emotive, with the singer asking what they need to do to be "on the winning side of your heart." This phrase captures the sense of competition and struggle that often marks romantic relationships. In the end, the song leaves the listener with a sense of longing and uncertainty, as the singer remains unsure of whether they will ever be able to win the heart of the person they desire.
Line by Line Meaning
You dont know and I cant say
I cannot express the depth of my feelings for you
Just how take my breath away
You leave me breathless and speechless
so let it breathe let it rise
Let our passion for each other grow
let it tear me up inside
Even though our love hurts, it's worth it
again
Our love story continues
and tell me, why do you wait so long
Why do you make me wait for your love?
why do you keep me hanging on to whispers in the dark
Why do you only give me fragments of your love?
what do ive got to say and
What else do I need to do to earn your love?
what do ive got to do
What actions must I take to prove my love for you?
to be on the winning side of your heart
To finally have your love
oh it just aint right
It's not fair to keep me waiting
to be one beat away from a heartbreak tonight
We are so close to a breakup, and it's terrifying
everytime you say my name
Your voice is music to my ears
it feels like thunder in my veins
Your love fills me with energy and passion
sweaty palms and shaky hands
Being close to you makes me nervous and excited
we step on the floor to dance, again
We keep coming back to each other, no matter what
(just aint right)
It's not fair to play with my heart
(just aint right)
It's time for you to make a decision about us
to be one beat away from a heartbreak tonight
We need to make things right or we risk losing each other forever
Contributed by Alyssa N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.