The band signed with Capitol Records and scored a Top 20 hit with their first single, "Leona," in 1984. That success was quickly followed by their first #1 hit, "Step That Step". The band had their ups and downs on the charts throughout the 1980s. But radio success was not really Sawyer Brown's strong suit. It never was. Rather, they have been successful due to their live performances. Fans flock to the band's concerts year after year, whether the band performs in a stadium, state fair, or casino. The live shows, more than anything, sustained the band until 1989's remake of the George Jones hit "The Race Is On" put them back near the top of the charts.
In 1991, after the release of their album Buick, guitarist Bobby Randall left the group to remain close to his family and host a short-lived TV talent show, You Can Be A Star. Duncan Cameron, formerly of The Amazing Rhythm Aces, was chosen as his replacement just as Sawyer Brown was about to become country music's "it" band. The band then switched labels, moving to Curb Records and releasing the albums The Dirt Road, Cafe On The Corner, and Outskirts Of Town, which saw hit after hit for the band in the early to mid-'90s.
Sawyer Brown was all over country music radio and television for much of the decade. After 1999's Top 10 hit "Drive Me Wild," however, the country music industry seemed to forget about Sawyer Brown in favor of newer acts like Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, and Keith Urban.
The band was having ups and downs in the charts again – mostly downs. In 2003, they parted with Curb, their record label of eleven years, and signed with Lyric Street Records. They released one single, "I'll Be Around", and then left Lyric Street as well. In 2004, they re-signed with Curb, but Duncan Cameron decided to leave the group to pursue a life-long dream of flying for Southwest Airlines.
Guitarist Shayne Hill was added to the lineup as they prepared for the release of their 20th album, Mission Temple Fireworks Stand. While Sawyer Brown is still looking to reclaim the top of the charts, their live shows continue to keep the band going strong.
The Dirt Road
Sawyer Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He said some folks don't-but that's okay
They won't know which road to follow
Because an easy street might lead you astray
[Chorus]
I'll take the dirt road-it's all I know
I've been walking it for years
Oh it ain't easy-it ain't supposed to be
So I'll take my time
And life won't pass me by
'Cause it's right there to find, On the dirt road
I have lived life in the fast lane
You gotta watch your back and look both ways
When I said and done the time we have is borrowed
You better make real sure you're headed the right way
[Chorus x2]
Sawyer Brown's song The Dirt Road is a reflective piece that encourages listeners to take a closer look at the paths they're currently on in life, while also giving them the courage to take a different, more challenging route if necessary. The first verse sets the tone and tells the story of the singer's father, who worked hard to earn his income and instilled the value of hard work and dedication in his offspring. He warns that an easy road is not always the right choice and may lead to unintended consequences or missed opportunities. In this way, the song reminds us to carve our own way, to blaze our own trail, and that a path less traveled has its own rewards.
The chorus of the song reiterates this message, continuing to emphasize that going down the dirt road, despite the challenges, is ultimately the right choice. By walking down the road that's less taken, we end up finding what we're looking for, we accomplish our goals—and we have the added benefit of experiencing life and the world around us. This is in stark contrast to living life in the fast lane, as the second verse points out, which implies that we sometimes rush through life too quickly and fail to take the time to appreciate what we truly have or to assess if the path we're on is the right one.
Overall, The Dirt Road is a song about the importance of taking control of one's life and following an instinct we often overlook: taking the road that is not the obvious or easy one. Sawyer Brown is encouraging us to find our own unique significance in the world while we still have the time and the chance to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy worked hard for his dollar
Sawyer Brown's father worked diligently for his money.
He said some folks don't-but that's okay
Daddy understood that not everyone wants to work hard and that's their choice.
They won't know which road to follow
Those who choose not to work hard won't have a clear path to success.
Because an easy street might lead you astray
Choosing the easy path could lead to trouble or failure.
I'll take the dirt road-it's all I know
Sawyer Brown prefers the harder, less-traveled path in life.
I've been walking it for years
He's been living this way for a long time and it's become a part of who he is.
Its gone where I need to go
The dirt road has taken him where he wants to be in life.
Oh it ain't easy-it ain't supposed to be
The less-traveled path is always going to be harder, but that's the way it's meant to be.
So I'll take my time
Sawyer Brown knows that life isn't a race and he takes the time he needs to get where he wants to go.
And life won't pass me by
He won't miss out on the important things in life by rushing through it.
'Cause it's right there to find, On the dirt road
All the things he wants in life are there for him to find on the hard path he's chosen.
I have lived life in the fast lane
Sawyer Brown has experienced the faster, easier path before.
You gotta watch your back and look both ways
The easier path requires more caution and less trust.
When I said and done the time we have is borrowed
We don't know how much time we have in life, so we need to use it wisely.
You better make real sure you're headed the right way
It's important to make sure you're on the right path in life or risk wasting that borrowed time.
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus from earlier in the song.
[Chorus x2]
Repeating the chorus again at the end of the song.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Queen
The best country band ever. So underrated. My uncle seen them in concert and said it was the best performance he's ever seen, and he has seen the Stones and other big rock bands.
S S
You hit the nail right on the head! I've seen them a handful of times, never once disappointed! Criminally underrated
LHORSE
"An easy street might lead you astray." What a great lyric!
james
Truth!
RazorBacksFan1980
one of my fav bands ever. I was a big SB fan back in highschool in the 90s. Back when country was country. And Mark Miller is one of the coolest guys ever. The clothes he wears and the goofy dancing. I have serious respect for him. Wish these guys were still makin records.
Brad W
Yea he's a unique cat
Darin Peterson
Simply amazing!!!! A true classic!!!
kcmet79
CRIMINALLY underrated band.
97 cobra
I could'nt agree more one of the best bands ever."The walk" is my favorite song by them
Chris Anderson
They were the one of the best ever.