Self-taught on the guitar, Otis Whitman worked at a shipyard in Tampa while developing a musical career, eventually performing with a band known as the "Variety Rhythm Boys". Whitman's first big break came when agent Colonel Tom Parker heard him singing on the radio and offered to represent him. Signed with RCA Records, he was billed as the cowboy singer, "Slim Whitman" and released his first 45rpm single in 1948. He toured and sang at a variety of venues including on the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride.
He only became a full time musician in the early 1950s after he recorded a version of the Bob Nolan hit Love Song of the Waterfall that made it into the country music Top 10 chart. His next single, Indian Love Call, was even more successful, going to the No.2 position (and actually saving the world in the 1996 movie Mars Attacks! where it proves fatal to the invading Martians). A yodeler, Whitman avoided the "down on yer luck-buried in booze" songs, preferring instead to sing laid-back romantic melodies about simple life and love.
In 1955, in the United Kingdom, he had a No.1 hit on the pop music charts with Rose Marie. With eleven weeks at the top of the charts, the song set a record that lasted for thirty-six years. Soon after recording this big hit Whitman was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and in 1957, along with other musical stars, he appeared in the film musical, Jamboree. Despite this type of exposure, he never achieved the level of stardom in the United States that he did in Britain where he had a number of hits during the 1950s and 60s. Throughout the early 1970s, he continued to record and was a guest on Wolfman Jack's musical television show, The Midnight Special. At the time, Whitman's recording efforts were yielding only minor hits and in 1974 he stopped making new records.
Added 01: Slim Whitman had actually recorded in Afrikaans for Afrikaners. I am actually listening to "Fluisterende Hoop" by Slim in Afrikaans as I write this.
I'm Casting My Lasso Towards the Sky
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoping my loop lands on a star
I'm casting my lasso way up there on high
Hoping it reaches that far
I'm going to keep on trying 'till I find my rainbows end
I know it's somewhere, hiding just around the bend
Someday, I'll be riding that new range by-and-by
I'm casting my lasso way up towards the sky
Hoping my loop will carry true
I'm casting my lasso way up there on high
Up toward the heaven so blue
Old pards that left before me all are watching while I ride
Up there in heaven's round-up, across the great divide
There, up there riding, I'm join them by-and-by
I'm casting my lasso towards the sky
The lyrics of Slim Whitman's song "I'm Casting My Lasso Toward The Sky" are a poignant expression of hope, determination, and faith. The song talks about the singer's aspiration to achieve something that seems impossible, just like catching a star with a lasso. He believes that with perseverance and patience he will eventually succeed in finding "his rainbows end" and riding "that new range by-and-by". The idea of the singer's departed friends watching him from heaven as he makes this journey makes the song even more heartfelt.
The lasso serves as a metaphor for the singer's longing for a better life and his unrelenting pursuit of his dreams. The image of the lasso reaching all the way up to the sky reflects the singer's belief in his ability to achieve the impossible. The song's hopeful message is that with hard work, faith, and perseverance anything is possible, even the catching of a star. The song is a powerful reminder for listeners to not give up on their dreams and to always reach for the stars.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm casting my lasso way up towards the sky
I'm reaching for a goal that seems distant and elusive.
Hoping my loop lands on a star
I'm aiming high and hoping for great success.
I'm casting my lasso way up there on high
I'm stretching myself beyond my limits.
Hoping it reaches that far
I'm determined to achieve greatness no matter how challenging it may seem.
I'm going to keep on trying 'till I find my rainbows end
I'm committed to persevering until I reach my ultimate goals.
I know it's somewhere, hiding just around the bend
I have faith that my goals are within reach if I stay persistent.
Someday, I'll be riding that new range by-and-by
I'm confident that my hard work will pay off and I will achieve my dreams.
I'm casting my lasso towards the sky
I'm reaching for the stars and nothing will stop me from pursuing my ambitions.
Hoping my loop will carry true
I'm determined to stay on track and not be deterred by failures or setbacks.
Up toward the heaven so blue
I'm striving to do something great, even if it seems impossible.
Old pards that left before me all are watching while I ride
I'm inspired by those who came before me and motivated to carry on their legacy.
Up there in heaven's round-up, across the great divide
Those who came before me are watching from above and guiding me towards success.
There, up there riding, I'm join them by-and-by
One day I will achieve my dreams and join those who came before me in their success.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY WAKELY, LEE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
THE ROCKABILLYFOX
I'm casting my lasso way up towards the sky
Hoping my loop lands on a star
I'm casting my lasso way up there on high
Hoping it reaches that far
I'm going to keep on trying 'till I find my rainbows end
I know it's somewhere, hiding just around the bend
Someday, I'll be riding that new range by-and-by
I'm casting my lasso towards the sky
I'm casting my lasso way up towards the sky
Hoping my loop will carry true
I'm casting my lasso way up there on high
Up toward the heaven so blue
Old pards that left before me all are watching while I ride
Up there in heaven's round-up, across the great divide
There, up there riding, I'm join them by-and-by
I'm casting my lasso towards the sky
Nocteyes
God Bless Slim Whitman; he saved us all from the Martian Invasion.
Bella donna
😂
이찬희
I like slim Whitman too
Arthur Giglio
A real American treasure!!
Gabriel Keown
World class act RIP Mr Whitman
Philomena Peterson
I've only recently discovered this yodel. I'm learning to yodel. Just love this unique voice of Slim Whitman
Dawn Damron
Love his music and he is a great guy too !
THE ROCKABILLYFOX
I'm casting my lasso way up towards the sky
Hoping my loop lands on a star
I'm casting my lasso way up there on high
Hoping it reaches that far
I'm going to keep on trying 'till I find my rainbows end
I know it's somewhere, hiding just around the bend
Someday, I'll be riding that new range by-and-by
I'm casting my lasso towards the sky
I'm casting my lasso way up towards the sky
Hoping my loop will carry true
I'm casting my lasso way up there on high
Up toward the heaven so blue
Old pards that left before me all are watching while I ride
Up there in heaven's round-up, across the great divide
There, up there riding, I'm join them by-and-by
I'm casting my lasso towards the sky
Arthur Mensor
The only thing better that listening to this recording by this fantastic artist, with the most fantastic band behind him consisting of Homer & Jethro, on guitar & mandolin, and Chet Atkins on electric guitar, from @1949, is/was seeing Slim Whitman back in the 1950's live and in person, fill a huge auditorium with his magnificent voice singing this song. I did, and I will never forget it as long as I live. God Bless you Slim where ever you are in Florida, I listen to you & this song often!
Barry Woolner
its easier to say all his music is brill, say no more.