Steve recently released his second original CD "Hard to be Cool". His music is occasionally heard on Channel 955 radio, in addition to his performances at local venues - including headlining at the Magic Bag and guest performing at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. Steve has also sung the national anthem at home games for the Detroit Lions, Red Wings and Tigers. Steves original music has also been featured in TV and film projects, and his voice heard on corporate productions and national advertising campaigns for Ford Motor Company, Lifeway and others.
In addition to performing locally, Steve was honored to perform his original song "United We Stand" at a 9/11 Memorial Concert with Randy Travis, Roberta Flack and others. He has also given concerts as far away as Las Vegas, California and Japan.
DEAD OR ALIVE
Steve Acho Lyrics
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Everyday, it seems we're wastin' away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I drive all night just to get back home
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive
Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days
The people I meet always go their separate ways
Sometimes you tell the day
By the bottle that you drink
And times when you're all alone all you do is think
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive
Wanted (wanted) dead or alive
Oh, and I ride!
(Yeah!)
Oh, and I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
I walk these streets
A loaded six-string on my back
I play for keeps 'cause I might not make it back
I been everywhere, still, I'm standing tall
I've seen a million faces
And I've rocked them all
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive
I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side
I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive
And I ride, dead or alive
I still drive (I still drive) dead or alive
Dead or alive, dead or alive, dead or alive, dead or alive
The song "Dead or Alive" by Steve Acho contains lyrics that showcase the struggles of a lonely cowboy. It opens with the line, "It's all the same, only the names will change," which appears to indicate the monotonous nature of the cowboy's life, where he moves from one place to another yet encounters the same problems everywhere. He's on the road all the time and lives a transient existence, as expressed in the line "Everyday, it seems we're wastin' away." Despite his constant moving, he's unable to escape the cold faces he comes across every day.
Further, the song talks about the cowboy's desire to return home, as reflected in the line "I drive all night just to get back home." However, his life's adventures and wanderlust seem to be his destiny, and he repeats the chorus, asserting himself as a cowboy, and that he is wanted dead or alive. The line "Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days" depicts his battle with loneliness and how his lifestyle could be affecting his mental health. He meets people but is unable to form meaningful connections, as expressed in “the people I meet always go their separate ways.”
The song's message is that life can feel lonely and mundane, and it's essential to find meaning and purpose in the journey, even if it means keeping a loaded six-string on your back, playing for keeps, and "rocking" everyone you meet. It has been asserted that the song's lyrics were initially inspired by the autobiography of Bon Jovi, and the title and the chorus have been lifted from the Bon Jovi hit song of the same name.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all the same, only the names will change
Every person's story tends to have similarities despite the differences in names and places.
Everyday, it seems we're wastin' away
Time goes by so fast, that before we know it, we are much older and have yet to accomplish what we want.
Another place where the faces are so cold
In some cities, people are not friendly, and therefore it’s challenging to make friends.
I drive all night just to get back home
Despite traveling far for work or fun, there's no place like home, and one always longs to return.
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm a strong, confident person on my motorcycle, and I am living life my way.
I'm wanted dead or alive
People either want to take me down or support me, sometimes both for the same reason.
Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days
I have a demanding job, and I don't have much time to rest, so I sleep infrequently.
The people I meet always go their separate ways
I have met many people along my journey, but everyone has their way to lead, so our paths diverge.
Sometimes you tell the day by the bottle that you drink
There are times when the day is mundane, and the only way to cope is through alcohol or other means.
And times when you're all alone, all you do is think
When I'm going through a tough time, the only solace I have is to be alone with my thoughts.
Oh, and I ride! (Yeah!)
I ride with pride and joy, and it's the best feeling in the world.
I walk these streets, a loaded six-string on my back
I wander around the city with my guitar, ready to play and entertain anyone who will listen.
I play for keeps 'cause I might not make it back
Life is uncertain, and I play my guitar as if it is the last time, putting everything I have into it.
I been everywhere, still, I'm standing tall
Despite facing numerous challenges and traveling all over the world, I have remained resilient and steadfast.
I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all
I have played music for countless people, and I'm proud to say that I have been able to entertain and impress them all.
I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm still that same strong-willed person on my motorcycle, living life to the fullest.
I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive
My reputation precedes me, and people either love me or want to take me down.
I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side
I feel most alive at night, and I have a sense of control over what happens when it's dark.
And I ride, dead or alive
No matter what the future holds for me, I will continue to ride my motorcycle with pride and confidence.
I still drive (I still drive) dead or alive
Even though life continues to throw challenges in my way, I remain strong and resolute.
Dead or alive, dead or alive, dead or alive, dead or alive
No matter what, I will be remembered for my strength and resilience for generations to come.
Contributed by Dylan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.