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.
Words
Steve Forde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The kind that you can't
The kind you can't take back again
Even if you wanted to
Thoughts, running through my mind
Of each and everytime I tried to say
That I'm not the kind to just give up
I don't believe the things I say
I go on about what you do
And where it is we're heading to
I won't deny those feelings a man can't resist
Everytime it gets like this
Feelings, rising up inside my soul
I want to but I can't let go
I feel as if I'm gonna blow
They surely got a hold on me
Ain't love a funny thing
It keeps you from remembering
All the pain, the suffering
And the heartache it brings
Everytime it gets this way
I don't believe the things I say
I go on about what you do
And where it is we're heading to
I won't deny those feelings a man can't resist
Everytime it gets like this
A little time and apoligizing
A new sun on a new horizon
A touch of a hand, a kiss on the cheek
I know when she's looking at me
Everytime it gets this way
I don't believe the things I say
I go on about what you do
And where it we're heading to
I won't deny those feelings a man can't resist
The lyrics of Steve Forde's song 'Words' portray the struggle of a man who finds it hard to express his feelings to his loved one. His words keep bouncing down a hallway, and they are the kind that he cannot take back again, even if he wanted to. He is constantly battling with his thoughts, trying to muster up the courage to convey his emotions. The man is aware that he is not the kind who gives up quickly, but every time he tries, it gets tough to express himself. He cannot believe the things he says, and he goes on about what his partner does and where they are heading.
The singer describes the emotions that are rising up inside his soul and how he wants to let go, but he cannot. The feelings have a hold on him, and it's hard for him to control it. The song highlights how love is strange, as it makes us forget all the pain, suffering, and heartache that come with it. However, the man knows that he cannot resist these feelings and acknowledges that every time it gets like this, he cannot deny them. The song ends with a positive note that a little time and apologizing can make a huge difference. A new sun on a new horizon, a touch of a hand, or a kiss on the cheek can change everything for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Words, bouncing down a hallway
My words are echoing down an empty corridor. Perhaps they will bounce back to me, eventually.
The kind that you can't
These are the sort of words that can't be taken back once said. It's important to pause and think before speaking.
The kind you can't take back again
Once spoken, words are out in the world forever. It's impossible to retract them or undo their effects.
Even if you wanted to
Even if I regret or change my mind about what I said, there's no way to delete those words or convince others to forget them.
Thoughts, running through my mind
There are a million things I wish I had said or done differently, playing on a loop in my head.
Of each and everytime I tried to say
I keep rehashing all the conversations I've had or wish I could have, scrutinizing every moment for something different I could have done or said.
That I'm not the kind to just give up
Despite all the setbacks and hurt, I refuse to give up on love and relationships entirely. I still want to fight for connection.
Everytime it gets this way
When I start hyper-focusing on my own regrets and fears, I get trapped in negative thought patterns that are hard to escape.
I don't believe the things I say
In these moments, it's helpful to recognize that my thoughts and worries may not be based in objective reality. My anxious thinking can distort the truth.
I go on about what you do
I get caught up in blaming or resenting others for their actions or behaviors, instead of accepting my own responsibility for my thoughts and feelings.
And where it is we're heading to
My mind races with questions and uncertainty about the future of my relationship, causing me further anxiety and panic.
I won't deny those feelings a man can't resist
Despite all of this, I still can't help feeling a deep urge and desire for love, connection, and intimacy. These are basic human needs that can't be easily ignored or repressed.
Feelings, rising up inside my soul
I'm being consumed by confusing and intense emotions, which I don't know how to handle or process.
I want to but I can't let go
Even though it would be healthier and more productive to let go of certain feelings or thoughts, I can't seem to shake them off or move past them.
I feel as if I'm gonna blow
I'm on the verge of an emotional outburst or breakdown, which is terrifying and overwhelming.
They surely got a hold on me
My emotions have taken control of my mind and body, leaving me feeling powerless or trapped.
Ain't love a funny thing
Despite all the pain and heartache it can cause, love is still something we all crave and desire. It has a strange and powerful hold over us, even when we try to resist it.
It keeps you from remembering
Love has a way of making us forget or overlook the flaws, mistakes, and hurtful actions of those we care about. We idealize and romanticize our partners, even when it's not healthy or realistic.
All the pain, the suffering, and the heartache it brings
Of course, love can also hurt us deeply and cause us great pain or sadness. It's a complex, multi-faceted emotion that elicits a wide range of experiences and reactions.
A little time and apoligizing
Sometimes, all it takes to heal hurt or conflict is a genuine willingness to apologize and make things right. It's important to give ourselves and others space and time to heal and forgive.
A new sun on a new horizon
After a period of darkness, pain, or struggle, there's always the possibility for new beginnings and fresh starts. We just need to be open to them and embrace the opportunities they bring.
A touch of a hand, a kiss on the cheek
Simple gestures of affection and connection can go a long way towards repairing damaged relationships or hearts. We don't always need grand romantic gestures or words to show our love and care for others.
I know when she's looking at me
Despite all the confusion and doubt swirling inside me, there are moments of clarity and certainty when I just know that I love someone and always will.
And where it we're heading to
Despite all the uncertainty and doubt, there's still a part of me that wants to know and understand where my relationship is going. It's human nature to crave certainty and stability in our lives, even when it's elusive.
Contributed by Max W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.