His parents were battlers with a dream of one day rising from the dust and hard work they endured to owning their own property and sinking deep, long-lasting roots. It was to this end that young Steve spent most of his early childhood moving from town to town across NSW with his family. Where there was good work to be had, that's where the family would go. It was in these early years that simple life philosophies were deeply ingrained into this young man.
Discipline, hard work and the pursuit of ones dream were the life food served at the Forde's table.
Today Steve Forde is a farmer and landowner in his own right.
He is a singer, a songwriter and a serious touring country star. Although retired now, Steve was a successful bull rider and bareback bronc rider. What ever Steve sets out to do, he does it well and still today draws heavily on his family's ethos of: "Hard Work, Long Days, Hard Work, Hard Play".
Steve Forde is the real deal, make no mistake.
Moving to the South Coast, the rawboned 18 year old with fire in his belly joined his first band and tasted the life of a touring country musician, the late nights, the poor money, the long miles but he was loving it and knew this was something he wanted to do. It was also during this time that like all young, developing sensible, sensitive artists Steve decided that Bull riding looked like a good idea and a heap of fun and so without care or concern to his guitar hands or the rest of his body he climbed on his first angry beast and away he went. As a rising rodeo, singing star, overseas travel appeared on the young mans horizon and in 1998 he boldly said goodbye to the farm and his band and headed to the USA for a bit of a look. Landing in Texas, he did as you do and bought himself a whopping, great, clunky heap of '63 Dodge Polara, filled her up with fuel, checked the oil and set himself loose on the highways and open roads of the USA. Steve lucked into some top blokes, now good mates in Texas and joined their band playing country music and doing the fabled American miles through Colorado, South Dakota and into Canada. When the gigs were lean the young Aussie Bloke from Cowra could be found working in bars, building fences or riding bareback broncos in Lubbock Texas making a name for himself as fearless, tough or just that crazy Aussie guy.
Sadly, tragedy stuck Steve when his traveling mate from Brisbane broke his back riding bareback and had to be flown home to Australia leaving Steve concerned for his mate's welfare but also now short of a traveling companion and his rodeo buddy. That old Dodge was dying, blowing black smoke and money was tight but Steve made it to Kansas in search of Dorothy, but she was long gone so took up a contract harvesting corn instead. Cashed up again and armed with his guitar and a kit bag full of new songs Steve headed off to Nebraska.
On the way the old Dodge dropped its gearbox, curled up its toes and died. Like Woody Guthrie in the dustbowl and a long way from home Steve hitched a ride to Missouri where he met a bloke in a bar heading to a rodeo in Franklin, Tennessee. Steve took another lift to the rodeo and chanced his luck on winning some much-needed money.
A smashed thumb later, a lot of pain and some impressive Australian colloquialisms Steve headed back to Nashville where he was introduced to songwriter Dan Roberts. (Beaches of Cheyenne, The Old Stuff, The Fever, Dan also toured as opener for Garth Brooks for two years.) Hitting it off well with Dan he moved in for a time and had the pleasure of playing songs and working on new material with this wonderful writer and friend.
Steve headed back to Australia when he heard that his father needed help on the farm and he went to work head down bum up on the land only to disappear on weekends to compete in rodeo's around the country.
He bought his farm, near Grenfell and set about getting it cleaned up, stocked up and productive while still helping his father on his farm and finding time to getaway riding broncos.
In 2000 Steve started his band and a new day was upon the busy boy. The band started playing small shows throughout their immediate area, then moved on to Tamworth and then again onto the national Rodeo Circuit, people were talking and the talk was all good.
Steve Forde had arrived.
Enthused by the great response the band was getting Steve sent some demos to Nashville producer Mark Moseley who liked what he heard and contacted Steve and they set about recording the debut album.
Steve Forde's debut album "Livin' Right" was released in May 2002. The first film clip Rodeo Freak was released on the back of the successful debut.
The album continued to build momentum and attract both recognition and accolades including two Golden Guitar nominations at the Tamworth 2003 awards and the second single "What I'm talking about" spending twenty-six weeks in the CMC top twenty.
Overdrive is a good word for what happened next, with the release of "Livin' Right" and successful subsequent tours Steve decided the music was where his heart was and with consultation with his family, his younger brother took over running the farms so Steve could go hard on his rapidly rising popularity.
"Wild Ride" (album two) was again recorded in Nashville in December 2003 with Mark Moseley although this time Steve co-produced the recording process as well as penning all of the tracks. The first single "The Letter" was released and promptly entered the CMC charts in the top ten and it stayed in the No.1 position for three weeks.
"Wild Ride" (VES0001) which was released on July 15 2004, contains a bonus CD enhanced version of CMC's No.1 video clip, The Letter.
So climb on, hang on, close your eyes, and grit your teeth because we are all in for a wild ride.
Life's Getting In The Way of Living
Steve Forde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kick my motor into gear, should have been there by now
Life's getting in the way of living
I got a boss who's a jerkm worse then the worse
Gonna burst if I don't get my ass into work
Life's getting in the way of living
An open road with nowhere to go and a couple good friends
Life's getting in the way of living
I can't help it, the skinny like paycheck
It gets me drunk, but never gets me wasted
Life's getting in the way of living
Some days it feels like it's all give
It'd the grind you get from the same old thing
Life's getting in the way of living
Cause livings a Friday night at a football game
The feel good buzz of a suntan, from hanging out at the waves
Life's getting in the way of living
I got my eye on some dirt
One day I'm gonna own it
I got my plans but right for the moment
Life's getting in the way of living
Cause living's a lake, a six-pack a long weekend
An open road with nowhere to go and a couple good friends
Living's a Friday night at a football game
The feel good buzz of a suntan, from hanging out at the waves
Life's getting in the way of living
The lyrics of Steve Forde's song "Life's Getting in the Way of Living" express the frustration and struggle of trying to live life to the fullest, while dealing with the challenges and stresses that come with daily living. The opening lines describe the routine of starting the day with a cup of coffee and a cold shower, but despite trying to get moving, the singer feels stuck and behind schedule. He blames life for getting in the way of living.
The singer then describes some of the specific obstacles that he faces, including an unpleasant boss and the need to work to earn a living. However, he contrasts this with his vision of what real living should be like - carefree days spent with friends, enjoying a six-pack and the open road. He feels frustrated that he cannot seem to shake off the daily grind to truly live.
The song also touches on the idea that living life to the fullest requires the ability to dream and plan for the future, but that these aspirations can also hinder one from enjoying the present moment. The chorus repeats the idea that life is getting in the way of living, and that the singer is struggling to find a balance between the two.
Overall, this song speaks to the relatable struggle of balancing the demands of daily life with the desire to truly enjoy and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Up in the morning, cup of coffee, cold shower
Starting my day with a morning ritual, but feeling unfulfilled.
Kick my motor into gear, should have been there by now
Feeling time is slipping away as I begin the work day.
Life's getting in the way of living
Feeling like routines and obligations are preventing me from truly experiencing life.
I got a boss who's a jerk, worse than the worst
Feeling frustrated and stressed out at work.
Gonna burst if I don't get my ass into work
Feeling pressure to perform at work and meet expectations.
Cause living's a lake, a six-pack a long weekend
True living is experiencing simple pleasures and spending time with loved ones.
An open road with nowhere to go and a couple good friends
Feeling free and happy when exploring with friends.
I can't help it, the skinny like paycheck
Feeling stuck in a job that pays little but still needing to work to make ends meet.
It gets me drunk, but never gets me wasted
Not finding fulfillment in my job but still needing it for financial stability.
Some days it feels like it's all give
Feeling like I'm putting in a lot of effort and not getting much in return.
It's the grind you get from the same old thing
Feeling bored and unsatisfied with the monotony of daily routines.
Cause living's a Friday night at a football game
True living is found in enjoying simple joys and experiences with others.
The feel good buzz of a suntan, from hanging out at the waves
Finding happiness in the little things like spending time outside and enjoying nature.
I got my eye on some dirt
Having aspirations and dreams for the future.
One day I'm gonna own it
Hoping to make those aspirations a reality someday.
I got my plans but right for the moment
Focusing on the present and taking things one step at a time towards those goals.
Life's getting in the way of living
Feeling like current obligations are hindering progress towards those goals and aspirations.
Contributed by Julian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.