[edit] Career
Wariner began performing as a youth in his father's band and in local clubs. In 1971, he was hired as a bassist for Dottie West's band. He also worked heavily with Chet Atkins (one of his childhood influences) and he played with Bob Luman's band.
His first major recording contract was with RCA Records in 1978. His first single releases failed to chart in the top 40 of Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart, although the song "I'm Already Taken" was re-released in 1999, peaking at #3 that year. His first No. 1 hit came in December, 1981, with "All Roads Lead to You."
However, his real popularity didn't take off until the mid-1980s, when he began recording for MCA Records. During his six-year stint with MCA, he scored 19 consecutive top 10 hits, eight of them going to No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart. The most successful of those songs included "Some Fools Never Learn" (1985, his second No. 1 hit), "What I Didn't Do" (1985), "You Can Dream of Me" (1986), "Lynda" (1987) and "I Got Dreams" (1989).
In the early 1990s, Wariner continued his success with Arista Records, with several of his songs reaching the top 10. But his success soon tapered off, as radio programmers became more interested in newer performers.
Wariner, however, continued to maintain his popularity through his instrumental talents. One example was 1991's "Restless," a collaboration with Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill and Mark O'Connor (from O'Connor's album The New Nashville Cats). "Restless" won Wariner (as well as Skaggs and Gill) his first Grammy Award in 1991 for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. In 1996, Wariner released an album of all instrumental tracks called No More Mr. Nice Guy. Though well-received by critics, it proved to be Wariner's last album for Arista.
Wariner also remained in the public eye with his songwriting talents. His composition, "Longneck Bottle" (a No. 1 hit by Garth Brooks), along with a No. 1 duet from early 1998 with singer Anita Cochran called "What If I Said" (his first No. 1 in more than eight years) reinvigorated Wariner's career.
The highlight of Wariner's career came in the spring of 1998. Now recording for Capitol Records, his song "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" - a song about dealing with grief of close friends and relatives - promptly shot to No. 2 and won the Country Music Association awards for Single of the Year and Song of the Year.
Wariner also collaborated with other well-known singers and songwriters, including Clint Black and Bill Anderson; he also scored several more hits, most notably 1999's "Two Teardrops" and "I'm Already Taken" (the latter a re-recording of his 1978 debut release).
[edit] Discography
Main article: Steve Wariner discography
[edit] External links
The Official Fan Club Website
Grand Ole Opry Bio
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wariner"
I Really Don't Have Anything
Steve Wariner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Expensive toys that lots of hard work bought
I just had to have what was shiny and new
I fed the habit and neglected you
Then one night a light came on
I reached for you and you were almost gone
[Chorus]
Even the gold is worthless in my ring
It's kind of funny the things we think we must possess
A ton of money can't even buy an ounce of happiness
If you're not with me to share what tomorrow brings
Then I really don't have anything
And if I'm not too late if you still want me to
I'll prove I've changed I'll make it up to you
When all these things I have are either broken or gone
My love for you will still be standing strong
Now I'm a different man
It took awhile but I finally understand
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Steve Wariner's song I Really Don't Have Anything convey a story of introspection and understanding. The singer laments his neglect of his loved one in favor of material possessions he acquired through hard work. He realizes his mistake when he almost loses his love and vows to change his ways. The lyrics recognize that love and relationships are worth more than anything money can buy, a sentiment that is often overlooked in a world that often measures success by the accumulation of material things.
The first verse of the song talks about the singer's possessions, saying that he has everything a man could want, including expensive toys he acquired through hard work. Despite all his riches, he realizes that he has neglected his love for these material possessions. In the second verse, the singer expresses gratitude for still having his loved one despite his shortcomings. He recognizes that his material possessions will eventually fade, but his love for his partner will remain strong.
The chorus of the song drives home the theme of the song, emphasizing that the singer would have nothing without his love. He recognizes that money and material things cannot buy happiness and that love and relationships are the true markers of a successful life. Finally, the last verse expresses the singer's changed perspective, having learned that material possessions are fleeting while relationships are everlasting.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got everything that a man could want
I have all the material possessions a man could want.
Expensive toys that lots of hard work bought
I have luxury items that I have worked hard for.
I just had to have what was shiny and new
I was obsessed with acquiring the latest, most impressive things.
I fed the habit and neglected you
I prioritized my desire for material possessions over taking care of you and our relationship.
Then one night a light came on
I had a moment of realization.
I reached for you and you were almost gone
I nearly lost you due to my obsession with material possessions.
If I don't have you I don't have anything
Without you, all of my wealth and possessions hold no meaning or value to me.
Even the gold is worthless in my ring
My wedding ring, which once represented our love, is meaningless without you by my side.
It's kind of funny the things we think we must possess
We often place misguided importance on material things in life.
A ton of money can't even buy an ounce of happiness
No matter how much money I have, it cannot bring me true happiness.
If you're not with me to share what tomorrow brings
Without you, I cannot enjoy what the future holds.
Then I really don't have anything
Without you, I have nothing of true importance or meaning.
And if I'm not too late if you still want me to
If there's still a chance, I want to make things right with you.
I'll prove I've changed I'll make it up to you
I will show you that I have changed and I am willing to make amends for my mistakes.
When all these things I have are either broken or gone
When all of my material possessions are no longer important or useful.
My love for you will still be standing strong
My love for you will remain steadfast and unwavering.
Now I'm a different man
I have undergone a change in perspective and priorities.
It took awhile but I finally understand
It took time, but I now realize the importance of love and relationships over material things.
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP
Written by: ALLEN SHAMBLIN, STEVE NOEL WARINER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind