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.
The Wayward Wind
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And I was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind
In a lonely shack by a railroad track
I spent my younger days
And I guess the sound of the outward bound
And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And I was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind
Oh I met a girl in a border town
I vowed we'd never part
Tho' I tried my best to settle down
She's now alone with a broken heart
And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And I was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind
The next of kin to the wayward wind
Slim Whitman's song, The Wayward Wind, tells the story of a person with an unbreakable yearning for the open road - a wind that's always on the move. The song starts with the opening refrain, "Oh, the wayward wind is a restless wind, a restless wind that yearns to wander, and I was born the next of kin, the next of kin to the wayward wind." The lyrics sing of being born into a family of wanderers, where the road is home and the next adventure is never too far behind. The restless spirit of the singer is something that they cannot shake off, no matter how hard they try.
The second verse of the song talks about a person's life spent in a lonely shack near the railroad tracks, where they would listen to the sound of trains passing by, filling their heart with a longing to go out and explore. They become a slave to their wandering ways and can never stay in one place for too long. The third verse tells of the singer's encounter with a girl in a border town, whom they vow never to leave. But despite their efforts, they know they can't stay in one place and leave her with a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the wayward wind is a restless wind
The wind is unpredictable and hard to control.
A restless wind that yearns to wander
The wind cannot be bound to one place and feels a constant desire for travel.
And I was born the next of kin
I share the same restless nature as the wayward wind.
The next of kin to the wayward wind
I am like the wind in that I cannot stay in one place for long.
In a lonely shack by a railroad track
I grew up in a desolate place near a transportation route.
I spent my younger days
I was young and inexperienced during this time.
And I guess the sound of the outward bound
The noise of departing vehicles had an impact on me.
Made me a slave to my wand'ring ways
I have become addicted to travel and am unable to resist the urge.
Oh I met a girl in a border town
I fell in love with a girl while I was near another country.
I vowed we'd never part
I promised her that we would always be together.
Tho' I tried my best to settle down
Despite my efforts to stay with her, I was unable to repress my wanderlust.
She's now alone with a broken heart
She is now by herself and sad because I left her.
The next of kin to the wayward wind
I remain restless and unable to be contained, like the wayward wind.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Herbert Newman, Stanley R. Lebowsky
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jonny chingas
Probably one of the most underrated and under appreciated singers What a great voice he had
Robert M. Trolinder
@Nim Boo I don't believe that statement for a second! Years ago he was very popular, as were many other singers,of different races. Now the only way you can here them is on places like YT, Sirius XM, specialty radio stations or your own devices!
Steve Roberts
Not be me, my friend. He was the greatest. Loved him ever since I saw him on Johnny Carson back in the early 1980s. Now I have all his records and play them every now and then. The great Slim.
Martin Doran
jonny chingas so true
Navillus 55
Slim Whitman was wonderful !!! I could listen to him sing for hours and hours. Thank you for posting this song....
kory wid
I agree and I do just that,listen for hours and hours...
Pam Barringhaus
A voice from my childhood, love it. Brings back so many wonderful memories.
Frank Leow
Where on earth any country singer can sing like Slim. . The best of all time . Adios Slim .
Janyce Janota
Just one of his greatest. Cannot single one out. They are all great wonderful, beautiful songs, such a beautiful voice....he is so blessed....
c stokes359
He lived close by at woodpecker paradise. Love to hear him sing. One oh the great voices of all time. RIP Slim