Lynne's first recording for Epic was a duet with George Jones, "If I Could Bottle This Up", which became a top-50 hit in 1988. In 2000 she won a Grammy award for "Best New Artist", despite the fact that she had been recording and releasing records for more than ten years
With Tears, Lies, and Alibis the follow-up to 2008's Just A Little Lovin' and the first release on her own label, Everso Records, Shelby Lynne affirms her position as a visionary, iconoclastic artist who deftly weaves country, soul, rock, blues, pop and folk influences to forge her own unique style. Like Identity Crisis (2003) and Suit Yourself (2005), this sparse, unguarded collection was produced by Lynne, who evokes a live-in-the-studio vibe from a stellar group of musicians. Born in Quantico, VA, she grew up in Jackson, AL and headed to Nashville at an early age. At 18, Lynne s demos landed her an appearance on TNN s Nashville Now series, which led to a Top 50 duet ( "If I Could Bottle This Up" ) with George Jones and a record deal. Following the release of the critically acclaimed I Am Shelby Lynne in 2000, she won the GRAMMY® for Best New Artist. She made her acting debut in 2005, playing Johnny Cash's mother in the Fox Searchlight motion picture Walk the Line.
Old Dog
Shelby Lynne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't get it right in my mind
There's a demon within me pulling at me
I wish I could leave the past behind
I drink whiskey and try to forget it
But that's just makes the pain even more
Maybe if I started out running
They must be out there somewhere
Peace of mind, serenity
[Chorus]
Somehow I'm just like an old dog
Searching for a porch to lie on
I'm lost and lonely for the answer
To the lies I've told to me for so long
I believe that highways hold solutions
That blacktop road can't be wrong
The bends and curves and unknown courses
See all the signs but never stop
Signals show themselves but I ignore them
Supposed to be some joy but there's not
[Chorus]
Confusion leads to aggravation
Meanness is making me blind
What bothers me today keeps me wondering
Damn this bloody state of mind
Misery is around me
I'm tired but I can't sit still
Crawling in my skin my body's aging
I think I hear the dog on the hill
They must but out there somewhere
Peace of mind, serenity
Somehow I'm just like an old dog
Searching for a porch to lie on
Somehow I'm just like an old dog
Searching for a porch to lie on
The lyrics of Shelby Lynne's song "Old Dog" convey a sense of restlessness, confusion, and angst that the singer is experiencing. The singer is struggling to come to terms with the past and seeking a way to find peace of mind and serenity. They feel lost and lonely, looking for an answer to the lies they have told themselves for so long. They attempt to forget their troubles by drinking whiskey but realize it only makes things worse.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is searching for something that they cannot seem to find. They believe that highways hold solutions and that the blacktop road cannot be wrong, but they appear to be ignoring the signs along the way that could potentially lead them to where they want to go. The singer references feeling like an old dog searching for a porch to lie on, which is a metaphor for seeking a place of rest and peace. They are tired and crawling in their skin, feeling lost and disconnected from the world around them.
Overall, the song illustrates the struggle of trying to find peace within oneself and the difficulty of letting go of the past. It is a poignant and emotional portrayal of the search for inner peace and serves as a reminder that sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking around here going crazy
I'm feeling extremely restless and agitated
Can't get it right in my mind
I can't seem to settle my thoughts and emotions
There's a demon within me pulling at me
I feel like there's a dark force within me that's urging me to do something harmful
I wish I could leave the past behind
I regret my past actions and wish I could move on from them
I drink whiskey and try to forget it
I try to drown my sorrows with alcohol
But that's just makes the pain even more
Unfortunately, this coping mechanism just exacerbates my emotional pain
Maybe if I started out running
Perhaps if I seek out new experiences, it will help me find what I'm looking for
I could find what I'm looking for
I hope to find peace and contentment in life
They must be out there somewhere
I believe that peace of mind and serenity must be attainable
Peace of mind, serenity
I desire to feel calm and emotionally stable
[Chorus]
Repeating the main idea of the song - feeling lost and searching for something that brings comfort
Somehow I'm just like an old dog
I feel like I'm wandering aimlessly, like an old dog looking for a place to rest
Searching for a porch to lie on
I'm looking for a sense of belonging and a place where I feel comfortable
To the lies I've told to me for so long
I've been lying to myself for a long time, and it's become a source of confusion and distress
I believe that highways hold solutions
I think that by going on different life paths, I might find the answers I'm looking for
That blacktop road can't be wrong
I believe that any road I choose to take will lead me to where I need to be
The bends and curves and unknown courses
I'm open to taking any turns in life and going down unfamiliar paths
See all the signs but never stop
I'm aware of the signs that guide my life, but I don't always pay attention to them
Signals show themselves but I ignore them
I ignore important cues and miss opportunities to find peace of mind
Supposed to be some joy but there's not
It's supposed to be a joyful journey, but I'm not finding much happiness along the way
Confusion leads to aggravation
My lack of clarity about my life is causing me distress
Meanness is making me blind
My negative attitude is blocking me from seeing the good things in life
What bothers me today keeps me wondering
I'm consumed with worries that keep me from feeling settled
Damn this bloody state of mind
I'm frustrated with my emotional state of being
Misery is around me
I'm surrounded by negative energy and emotions
I'm tired but I can't sit still
Despite feeling drained, I can't seem to relax and find inner peace
Crawling in my skin my body's aging
I'm experiencing physical and emotional pain
I think I hear the dog on the hill
This line is repeated from an earlier verse and suggests that the old dog could be a metaphor for the songwriter herself
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Shelby Lynne Moorer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind