Stevie Ray had been in numerous bands before joining blues rock combo Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble in the late 1970's.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's debut album was released in 1983. The critically acclaimed Texas Flood (1983) featured the top-20 hit Pride and Joy and sold well in both blues and rock circles.
Stevie Ray Vaughan died August 27th, 1990 when his helicopter crashed into the Alpine Valley ski hill. He was on his way back from playing a guest appearance at an Eric Clapton concert at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin.
Adult life and career
Vaughan's first recording band was called Paul Ray and the Cobras. They played at clubs and bars in Austin during the mid-1970s, and released one single.[2] Vaughan later recorded two other singles under the band name The Cobras.[3] Stevie left the Cobras, leaving Denny Freeman still in his role of original lead guitarist, and formed Triple Threat in late 1975, which included bassist Jackie Newhouse, drummer Chris Layton, vocalist Lou Ann Barton, and sax player Johnny Reno. Barton left the band in 1978 to pursue a solo career, followed by Reno in 1979. The three remaining members started performing under the name Double Trouble, inspired by an Otis Rush song of the same name. Vaughan became the band's lead singer.
Tommy Shannon, the bass player on Johnny Winter's early albums, replaced Newhouse in 1981. A popular Austin act, Vaughan soon attracted the attention of musicians David Bowie and Jackson Browne. Both Browne and Bowie first caught Vaughan at the 1982 Montreux Jazz Festival, where some members of the audience booed the band because they disliked Double Trouble's hard blues sound; the crowd response was quite different when they were subsequently invited to headline "Blues Night" at the festival in 1985.
In November, 1982, Vaughan recorded in Jackson Browne's studio in downtown Los Angeles. The recordings were brought to the attention of A&R man John Hammond and became Double Trouble's critically acclaimed first album, Texas Flood (1983), produced by Hammond; it featured the Top 20 hit "Pride and Joy" and sold 500,000 copies, earning the band a gold record. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award, and its song "Rude Mood" was nominated for "Best Rock Instrumental". Vaughan won three categories in Guitar Player's readers poll: "Best New Talent", "Best Blues Album", and "Best Electric Blues Guitarist". He became the second guitarist to win three Guitar Player awards in one year (the first is Jeff Beck). Vaughan won the "Best Electric Blues Guitarist" award every year until 1991.
Also in 1983 Bowie featured Vaughan on his 1983 album Let's Dance.[4] Vaughan was asked to go on tour with Bowie, but declined so he could continue to play with Double Trouble. Reportedly, Vaughan, who was still driving a delivery truck to support himself, was furious when he saw Bowie pantomiming over Vaughan's guitar solo in the video for "Let's Dance".
The band's next album, Couldn't Stand the Weather, was recorded in January 1984. During mid-1984 Vaughan and Double Trouble made numerous TV appearances, performing on Rockpalast, MuchMusic, and Solid Gold.
During the Grammy Awards of 1984, Vaughan and George Thorogood presented Chuck Berry with a lifetime achievement award. "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" from Couldn't Stand The Weather was nominated for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance".
The band played Carnegie Hall in New York City on October 4, 1984. The show featured one Double Trouble set, and a second with guests Dr. John on keyboards, George Rains on drums, Jimmie Vaughan on guitar, Roomful of Blues Horns, and singer Angela Strehli. The group rehearsed in September 1984 at the Caravan of Dreams in Fort Worth, Texas.
In November, Vaughan won two W.C. Handy National Blues Awards: "Entertainer of the Year" and "Blues Instrumentalist of the Year". It was the first time a white person won either award. During this time, he also began recording with one of his earliest idols, blues-rock guitar pioneer Lonnie Mack, to produce the album Strike Like Lightning on the Alligator label.
In late January 1985, the band went on a six-night Japanese tour with various interviews and performances. In March, the band started to produce their third album Soul to Soul. Reese Wynans, a former keyboardist with Captain Beyond and Delbert McClinton's band, was added to the band not long after. The album's production lasted for two months. On April 10 Vaughan played "The Star Spangled Banner" for opening day of the National League baseball season at the Houston Astrodome (supposedly he didn't get a good audience response from that crowd; he did, at least, get to meet former New York Yankee great Mickey Mantle afterwards). Soul to Soul was released on September 30, 1985; Vaughan received his fifth Grammy nomination: "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for one of its songs, "Say What!".
In the following months of 1986, Vaughan and Double Trouble went on tour in New Zealand. It was around this time that he met Janna Lapidus, a touring model in New Zealand.
In mid-1986, the band was considering ideas of a new album, particularly a live album. Shows were set up at the Austin Opera House and at the Dallas Starfest. Audiences saw Vaughan struggle through these shows, as some of the original recordings were filled with technical difficulties.
On August 27, 1986, the Vaughan brothers' father, Big Jim, passed away of heart failure. A funeral was arranged two days later. The boys rushed home to comfort their mother, yet had little time to mourn. After the funeral was finished, a jet rushed Vaughan to Montreal, Quebec, where he played the "Labatt Blues Fest" (in Quebec, so named for their flagship beer "Labatt Blue"), known elsewhere as the "Miller Beer Festival" in Jarry Park.
The recordings in both Dallas and Austin, as well as the Montreux Jazz Festival, were edited and later released on Live Alive in November 1986.
Studio Albums:
Texas Flood (1983)
Couldn't Stand the Weather (1984)
Soul to Soul (1985)
In Step (1989)
Family Style (with Brother Jimmie Vaughan as "The Vaughan Brothers", 1990)
The Sky Is Crying (posthumous release) (1991)
Official live audio releases:
In the Beginning (Live, recorded 1980)
In Session (Live, with Albert King, recorded 1983)
Live at Carnegie Hall (Live, recorded 1984)
Live Alive (Live, recorded 1986)
Live At Montreux 1982 & 1985' (Live, recorded 1982 & 1985)
Wolfgang's Vault releases: http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/stevie-ray-vaughan
Compilations:
Greatest Hits (1995)
The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (1995)
The Real Deal: Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1999)
Blues at Sunrise (2000)
SRV (box set, with early recordings, rarities, hits, and live material) (2000)
Scratch n' Sniff
Stevie Ray Vaughan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And got the notion together they'd be happy
Thought they'd lose the crowd 'n' do the mess around
Decided to make it snappy
Just a twist of fate they didn't hesitate
Now they had another party to lean on
She made him jump and sang he made her share that thang
Looks like they gonna have a ball ain't nothin' wrong at all
Wo they gonna have a ball
They got to askin' what if they had to scratch-n-sniff
To find out what it is they are after
Got the ants out their pants 'n' took the chance on romance
Made some plans to make it forever
Now several years have gone they still gettin' along
They know what true love is made of
Now they know that life's a trip with all it's bumps and dips
They gonna help one another along
Nothin' wrong at all still havin' a ball
Lord they really gettin' it on
Time is on their side they got nothin' to hide
Never had no secrets between them
He don't need to accuse her, use her or abuse her
And she feels the same for him
And those vows they made said nothin' 'bout slaves
And didn't mention rentin' to own
They can take the stand that walkin' hand in hand
What they got is gooder than gold
Ain't nothin' wrong at all wo they gonna have a ball
Yeah they really got it all
Love is true heart's desire without it's just a funeral pyre
Got to let your true love grow it's all you got that's gooder than gold
Let's get it on y'all
The lyrics of Stevie Ray Vaughan's song Scratch n' Sniff highlight the tale of two lonely people who found solace in each other's company. The story begins with the duo deciding to take the unconventional path to happiness by disregarding society's norms and indulging in the mess around. They took a chance on love with some ants in their pants, and eventually, as time flew by, they realized that they had made the best decision of their lives. The lyrics depict a beautiful love story and imply that love is the most significant, valuable thing that life has to offer.
The song's chorus emphasizes that they're going to have a ball; there's nothing wrong with it, and they're getting it on. The lines indicate the couple's excitement about their newfound love and a sense of liberation that comes with living life on their terms. They come to terms with the fact that bumps and dips are part of life's journey, but now that they have each other, they will help one another along. The song's overarching message is that true love is gooder than gold, and it's worth taking the chance on romance.
Overall, Scratch n' Sniff is a beautiful ode to the power of love and the freedom that comes with being unapologetically yourself. The song's lyrics and smooth bluesy melody make it a timeless classic that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
They were two lonely folks doin' the do's and don'ts
Two individuals previously unlucky in love decided to take risks and try to be together
And got the notion together they'd be happy
They both believed they could find happiness being together
Thought they'd lose the crowd 'n' do the mess around
They wanted to escape the norms of society and be with each other intimately
Decided to make it snappy
They acted quickly to make their relationship official
Just a twist of fate they didn't hesitate
Their meeting and love was destined, and they didn't hesitate to act on their feelings
Now they had another party to lean on
They were each other's support system in life
She made him jump and sang he made her share that thang
They brought out the best in each other through their actions and personalities
Looks like they gonna have a ball ain't nothin' wrong at all
Their relationship is thriving and there are no issues to be seen
Wo they gonna have a ball
They are going to have a great time together
They got to askin' what if they had to scratch-n-sniff
They wondered what kind of chemistry they would have if purely physical attraction was their starting point
To find out what it is they are after
They wanted to know what kind of relationship would truly satisfy them
Got the ants out their pants 'n' took the chance on romance
They overcame their initial lustful feelings and went for a romantic relationship
Made some plans to make it forever
They committed to a long-term future together
Now several years have gone they still gettin' along
Despite time passing, their relationship is still strong
They know what true love is made of
They understand that their love for each other is genuine and real
Now they know that life's a trip with all it's bumps and dips
They acknowledge that life is full of ups and downs, but they are ready to face it together
They gonna help one another along
They are committed to supporting each other through whatever life brings
Nothin' wrong at all still havin' a ball
Their relationship is going well and they are enjoying life together
Lord they really gettin' it on
Their physical intimacy is still alive and well
Time is on their side they got nothin' to hide
They have nothing to hide from each other and have all the time in the world together
Never had no secrets between them
They've been completely open with each other since the start of their relationship
He don't need to accuse her, use her or abuse her
Their relationship is based on love and respect, not power or hiearchy
And she feels the same for him
Their admiration and respect for each other is mutual
And those vows they made said nothin' 'bout slaves
Their commitment to each other is without obligation, but out of love
And didn't mention rentin' to own
Their love is authentic and not based on any contractual obligations
They can take the stand that walkin' hand in hand
They are each other's support and walk through life together as equals
What they got is gooder than gold
Their relationship is worth more than any material possessions or wealth
Ain't nothin' wrong at all wo they gonna have a ball
Their relationship is doing great and they will have an amazing time together
Yeah they really got it all
They are happy with what they have in each other
Love is true heart's desire without it's just a funeral pyre
Love is what makes life truly worth living, without it everything falls apart
Got to let your true love grow it's all you got that's gooder than gold
True love is worth nurturing and growing as it's one of the most valuable things in life
Let's get it on y'all
They are ready to continue their passionate and loving relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DOYLE BRAMHALL, STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind