Born in Taft, Texas, LaRue actually spent the majority of his adolescence north of the Red River, where he was raised in Southeastern Oklahoma . He never really pictured himself doing anything else but making good music, so LaRue eventually made his way to the state’s Red Dirt hotbed of Stillwater, where he began to develop his individualized style from a widespread range of influences.
From Willie Nelson to Ray Charles, to The Grateful Dead and Kris Kristofferson, LaRue’s emerging style impressively blends varied elements of country, blues, and soulful rock into cohesive, vocal driven performances. His abilities earned the immediate respect of then “up and coming” peers including Cody Canada, Mike McClure, Jason Boland, and other cohorts of the revitalizing Texas and Red Dirt circuits (now electrifying audiences nationwide.)
In 2002, both fans and industry took good notice of LaRue after he spearheaded The Organic Boogie Band and released ”Downtown,” which was recorded in private sessions at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa and mixed in a trailer on the side of a cliff in Bartlesville,OK. It was just the beginning, as the debut cemented LaRue’s following and inspired a move to New Braunfels, Texas, where a vibrant music community and a persistent touring schedule spawned a vast response.
Fans anxiously awaited the August 2005 release of Stoney LaRue-the Red Dirt Album, which hit the Billboard sales charts in its debut week. A far cry from the mixing trailer on the cliff, The Red Dirt Album was recorded with a tight circle of players and professionals in a studio setting. The record was a pinnacle effort for LaRue and has inarguably established his triple threat status as a truly gifted vocalist, player, and performer.
Armed with golden ear musicianship, an amusing wit, and soulful magnetism, LaRue’s shows are infused with an uplifting quality, a cathartic barroom brand of spirituality, where venues are complimented for good bar “feng shui,” and where time and dimension can be traversed via emotive lyrics and melodic riffs. A charismatic performer, LaRue’s flawless vocals can draw a crowd to a open mouth level of sonic mesmerization, and next have them singing “Forever Young” so loudly that you can’t hear anything else.
At 28 years old, Stoney LaRue now performs close to 300 dates a year at top festivals and venues across the nation and even the Caribbean, sharing bills with renowned acts like Lee Ann Womack, Gary Allan,Dierks Bentley, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Radney Foster, and others. With a newly assembled band that includes Jeremy Bryant (drums), Jesse Fritz (bass), Rodney Pyeatt (guitar), and Steve Littleton (keys), Stoney LaRue is poised for his upcoming addition to the famed Live at Billy Bob’s series and even greater horizons to come.
The music is undeniably inside of Stoney LaRue, but he’s the type of artist that doesn’t HAVE to point it out to you, his belief in the music is strong enough that it just powers through transparently. Stoney LaRue is not trying to be anybody but the artist that he is, and his sincerity just seeps out, spills off the stage, and overtakes any room.
First One To Know
Stoney LaRue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here and gone like the storm that you're riding
It won't take long, and I'll turn a stone
When I lift you up, I'll be slow and easy
And I can't blame you if you don't believe me
Hope comes along, I'll keep you safe and warm
Not sure why, but you want to hate me, it's just a spell I suppose
When I'm back to my old self again my love
you'll be the first one to know
I guess we're all just getting older
Looking back in time over our shoulder
Right or wrong, there's two sides to every song
If I'm not acting like myself lately, doing things that I don't
I'm not sure why, but you want to hate me, it's just a spell I suppose
When I'm back to my old self again, my love
you'll be the first one to know
When I'm back to my old self again, my love
you'll be the first one to know
The song "First One to Know" by Stoney LaRue is a heartfelt ballad about a person struggling to keep a relationship intact while dealing with their own personal issues. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware that their behavior might have changed and they may not be acting like their usual self. However, they promise to be quick to leave if they don't live up to their promises and be slow and easy when they uplift their partner.
The song opens with "If I let you down, I'll be fast as lightening, here and gone like the storm that you're riding, it won't take long, and I'll turn a stone." This set of lines imply that if the singer fails in keeping their promises, they will be quick to leave and not cause any further damage. The next few lines, "When I lift you up, I'll be slow and easy, and I can't blame you if you don't believe me, hope comes along, I'll keep you safe and warm," explain that when they uplift their partner, they will take their time to do it right and keep them safe and comfortable.
Furthermore, the following verse talks about the regrets of growing old and looking back in time. It suggests that every wrong has two sides to the story. The chorus is repeated twice, where the singer admits that they might be in a spell and not acting like themselves recently, but when they're back to their old self, their partner will be the first one to know. Overall, the song talks about maintaining transparency and honesty while navigating personal struggles and relationship dynamics.
Line by Line Meaning
If I let you down, I'll be fast as lightening
If I disappoint you, I will leave quickly like a storm.
Here and gone like the storm that you're riding
I will be with you briefly and then disappear, like a storm that passes by.
It won't take long, and I'll turn a stone
I will become emotionally unavailable and distant soon.
When I lift you up, I'll be slow and easy
When I support you, it will be a gentle, patient process.
And I can't blame you if you don't believe me
You have every right not to trust me, given my past behavior.
Hope comes along, I'll keep you safe and warm
When things get better, I will make sure that you feel secure and comforted.
If I'm not acting like myself lately, doing things that I don't
When I act out of character, doing things that don't make sense, bear with me.
Not sure why, but you want to hate me, it's just a spell I suppose
If you feel inclined to resent me, it's probably temporary and inexplicable.
When I'm back to my old self again my love
Once I regain my usual state of mind and behavior,
you'll be the first one to know
You will be the first person I tell.
I guess we're all just getting older
We're all aging and growing in experience.
Looking back in time over our shoulder
We reflect on our past, casting a glance behind us.
Right or wrong, there's two sides to every song
Regardless of who's correct or mistaken, there are always two points of view to consider.
When I'm back to my old self again, my love
Once I am myself once more,
you'll be the first one to know
You will be the first to find out.
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rafael Evangelista
If I let you down, I'll be fast as lightening
[Se eu te desapontar, serei rápido feito um raio]
Here and gone like the storm that you're riding
[Vou chegar e ir embora como a tempestade pela qual você está passando]
It won't take long, and I'll turn a stone
[Não vou demorar muito e vou remover uma pedra]
When I lift you up, I'll be slow and easy
[Quando eu te carregar, eu vou devagar e com calma]
And I can't blame you if you don't believe me
[E eu não posso te culpar se você não acreditar em mim]
Hope comes along, I'll keep you safe and warm
[A esperança vem e eu te deixarei a salvo e aconchegante]
If I'm not acting like myself lately, doing things that I don't
[Se eu não estou me comportando como eu mesmo ultimamente, fazendo coisas que não costumo fazer]
Not sure why, but you want to hate me, it's just a spell I suppose
[Não tenho certeza do porquê, mas você quer me detestar, acho foi só um feitiço]
When I'm back to my old self again my love you'll be the first one to know
[Quando eu estiver de volta ao velho eu, meu amor, você será a primeira a saber]
I guess we're all just getting older
[Acho que estamos ficando velhos]
Looking back in time over our shoulder
[Olhando pra trás no tempo, por sobre os ombros]
Right or wrong, there's two sides to every song
[Certo ou errado, toda canção tem dois lados]
[Repete o refrão]
If I'm not acting like myself lately, doing things that I don't
I'm not sure why, but you want to hate me, it's just a spell I suppose
When I'm back to my old self again, my love you'll be the first one to know
When I'm back to my old self again, my love you'll be the first one to know
Jacksons Wilderness
Just saw him last Thursday, acoustic, at Dosey Doe in the Woodlands here in Texas. The guy is just awesome. It's a small venue so you are very close to him. He comes out and says "I'm here for you, what do you want hear first?". He sang for two hours and every song was a request from the crowd. He joked and told a few cool stories from his past and hung out with everyone afterwards. Such a personable guy. This was my fifth time to see Stoney and I have enjoyed them all but to see him acoustic is something special. It's a must if you ever get the chance.
Mike Corbett
You're absolutely right stoney with his acoustic guitar best by far.
Tim McDraw
This has been one of my favorite, and most played songs of the past years since you recorded it. It has been so essential to me, even though it’s so painful. I just want to thank you for putting it in the world.
1heitzman
Love Stoney's voice. Great song!
Joey Nelson
I think this is the first studio cut I have heard from Stoney that does justice the spectacular talent in that man's soul!!
Best live show on the planet for the last 10 years... even solo acoustic
Hanna Grant
I have to put my horse down June 8th. I have had him almost 8 years. This song means alot to me because I don't cry infront of anyone. Not my family or friends. So this song speaks alot for me right now.....
RIP Skooter
My shoulder to cry on all these years... <3
D'On Hensley
Way to go Stoney....this is awesome. Going to go places with this one.
Hannah Walker
such a beautiful, timeless song
OlDozerMan
There's always a song that connects.. love it
Robin Brenner
I love his voice and the song is a story for many of us. Iowa can't wait to have you come and light up our stages! We have lots of dirt roads here too, you will feel right at home Stoney!!