Shooter Jennings lived his first few years in a crib on his parents' tour bus. By age five, he was playing drums. Between tours, he took piano lessons. He started playing guitar at fourteen and sometimes played in his father's band. He and his father recorded a few things together when they happened to have some microphones set up and the tape recorder plugged in. At age sixteen, Jennings discovered rock 'n' roll.
As an adult, Jennings left Nashville, Tennessee to seek his fortunes in Los Angeles. He assembled and performed with Stargunn, a southern rock band whose sound he described as Lynyrd Skynyrd mutating into Guns N' Roses. Stargunn performed at local clubs for six years, built a rabid following and earned praise from the local music press. But the Hollywood party scene eventually began to bother him. He says, "I was posing as a rocker—a country guy trying to be something he wasn't."
On March 30, 2003, Jennings dissolved Stargunn and moved to New York City to spend time with his girlfriend and sort out what he wanted to do next. An unexpected gig at the House of Blues a few weeks later revived his creativity. He returned to Los Angeles to form another band, the 357s. After six weeks in the studio, he completed his first solo album, Put the O Back in Country. Universal South released the album in early 2005.
Jennings portrayed his father in the Johnny Cash biopic, Walk the Line. He is the host of Shooter Jennings' Electric Rodeo, a two-hour weekly music show on Sirius Satellite Radio's Outlaw Country channel. He currently dates Drea de Matteo. Shooter Jennings' second solo album "Electric Rodeo" was released on April 04, 2006.
Manifesto No. 1
Shooter Jennings Lyrics
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And you moved out of my old town
And my life has remained so lonely
Since you ain't been around
And to think how far I travelled, honey
Just to see you one more time
But if that's how you say hello
You can kiss my ass goodbye
[Chorus]
So let your hair down, get out of that skirt
But leave them high heels on
I'll be in the back of my black Cadillac
When Jesus finally comes to call his children home
[Chorus]
Gonna climb a mountain, when I get to the top
I'll find a honky tonk
Where I'll sit and I'll drink
Wondering where you've gone
And to think how far I've travelled
Just to get you off my mind
But if that's how you say hello
You can kiss my ass goodbye
[Chorus]
Oh, yeah, I'll be in the back of my black Cadillac
When Jesus finally comes to call his children home
The lyrics of Shooter Jennings's song Manifesto No. 1 revolve around the theme of heartbreak and the aftermath of a failed relationship. The singer is reflecting on how his life has changed after his partner left him, and he feels a profound sense of loneliness. He remembers traveling a great distance just to see his partner, but the coldness of their reception makes him feel humiliated. As a result, he decides that he is done trying to win back his love and that he deserves better than the way he has been treated. He becomes rebellious, seeking comfort in honky-tonks, alcohol, and driving his black Cadillac. He curses his ex-partner and claims he will never love again.
The chorus of the song is focused on the singer's rebellious attitude. He urges his ex-partner to let her hair down and get out of her skirt while keeping her high heels on. He expresses his intention to be in the back of his black Cadillac when Jesus comes to call his children home. This symbolizes his defiance and readiness to face any challenges or obstacles that come his way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you moved out of my apartment
You leaving my apartment was the start of my loneliness.
And you moved out of my old town
You leaving my town made me feel even more alone.
And my life has remained so lonely
My life has been incomplete and dreary without you.
Since you ain't been around
I have been unhappy ever since you left me.
And to think how far I travelled, honey
I went through great lengths just to see you one more time.
Just to see you one more time
I wanted to experience your presence again to alleviate my loneliness.
But if that's how you say hello
If this is how you welcome me, I don't want it.
You can kiss my ass goodbye
I'm done with you if this is how you treat me.
So let your hair down, get out of that skirt
Let loose and have some fun with me.
But leave them high heels on
You can still look sexy while being carefree.
I'll be in the back of my black Cadillac
I'll be waiting, ready to take you on an adventure.
When Jesus finally comes to call his children home
I'll take you wherever you want before we finally face judgment.
Gonna climb a mountain, when I get to the top
I'll go through great lengths again to find peace.
I'll find a honky tonk
I'll go to a bar to forget about you.
Where I'll sit and I'll drink
I'll drown my sorrows in alcohol.
Wondering where you've gone
I'll still think about you.
Just to get you off my mind
I'll do everything to forget about you.
Oh, yeah, I'll be in the back of my black Cadillac
I'll still be waiting in my ride.
When Jesus finally comes to call his children home
Until I am called to judgment, I'll be waiting for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: WAYLON ALBRIGHT JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind