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.
Look at Me Fly
Stoney LaRue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was there for a reason the reason won't show
It could be rust it might be gold
It's out of my hands on with the show
The prize that already bears my name
Just gotta get there first before it gets claimed
And I'll call on you when I find the time
And I promise I'll wave goodbye
High above the water never think twice
Must have been a long way down
And I'll catch you when the next sunrise comes back around
Yeah I should have told you I was stuck in my ways
Must have passed the white flags by
But I'm high above the water now, look at me fly
I'm lookin' at the devil standin' in the roses
Starin' right at me, where you want to go son
Take what you need but don't wear yourself down
If you stir up trouble you know I'll be around
But you better not call when the money's not right
In the free of the fall no one to kiss goodnight
Take a look around, make yourself at home
Just take a deep breath it will be just fine
High above the water never think twice
Must have been a long way down
And I'll catch you when the next sunrise comes back around
Yeah I should have told you I was stuck in my ways
Must have passed the white flags by
But I'm high above the water now, look at me fly
Yeah, just look at me fly
In Stoney LaRue's song "Look at Me Fly," the artist reflects on his life journey and how he has overcome obstacles to become successful, while acknowledging his faults and past mistakes. The opening lines of the song suggest that the artist was unaware of the reasons behind his inner turmoil or "the dust in [his] soul." He acknowledges that it could be either "rust" or "gold," but regardless, it is "out of [his] hands on with the show." He is determined to reach his goals and attain the prize that already bears his name, promising to wave goodbye to his past when he does.
LaRue's lyrics further intensify in the second verse as he describes a moment of reckoning in his life. He says that he is "high above the water" and that he will "never think twice." The phrase suggests that he has attained a place of safety or freedom, and he will not look back with hesitation, despite the fact that it might have been a long way down. He further reassures the listener that he will be there to "catch [them]" when the next sunrise comes back around. LaRue then acknowledges his limitations by saying that he should have told someone that he was "stuck in [his] ways" and that he "must have passed the white flags by." But he has now reached a point where he is "look[ing] at the devil standin' in the roses" and he is able to overcome any obstacle in his way, "look at [him] fly."
In conclusion, "Look at Me Fly" is an inspiring song about overcoming obstacles in life and achieving success despite one's flaws and past mistakes. Stoney LaRue's lyrics are both reflective and empowering, reminding listeners to persevere in their own journeys and push forward no matter the cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Well how was I to know that the dust in my soul
I didn't realize that the emptiness I feel is actually there for a reason, but I can't figure out what that reason is.
Was there for a reason the reason won't show
I can't understand why I feel this way, but I know there must be a purpose for it.
It could be rust it might be gold
I don't know if the emptiness is a sign of decay or if it's actually valuable and I just can't see it yet.
It's out of my hands on with the show
Regardless of what it is or what it means, I have to keep moving forward.
The prize that already bears my name
I know that I have something important waiting for me, but I have to work hard to claim it.
Just gotta get there first before it gets claimed
There's a sense of urgency to reach my goal before someone else beats me to it.
And I'll call on you when I find the time
I'll reach out to the people I care about once I've achieved my goal.
And I promise I'll wave goodbye
I acknowledge that achieving my goal may mean leaving some people and things behind, but I hope they'll be happy for me.
High above the water never think twice
Now that I've reached my goal, I can soar above my troubles and doubts.
Must have been a long way down
I had to overcome a lot of obstacles and challenges to get here.
And I'll catch you when the next sunrise comes back around
I'll be there for the people I care about, even as I continue to pursue my own goals.
Yeah I should have told you I was stuck in my ways
I regret not being open about my struggles and allowing myself to be helped.
Must have passed the white flags by
I didn't recognize the opportunities for change and help that were available to me.
But I'm high above the water now, look at me fly
Despite my past struggles, I've overcome them and achieved my goal. I'm proud of my success and my ability to keep moving forward.
I'm lookin' at the devil standin' in the roses
I see the potential danger and temptation that come with my success and I'm wary of them.
Starin' right at me, where you want to go son
The devil is tempting me to use my success in negative or harmful ways, but I have to resist.
Take what you need but don't wear yourself down
I can make the most of my success, but I have to be careful not to exhaust myself or become greedy.
If you stir up trouble you know I'll be around
I know that the devil will always be there to tempt me, but I also have people who care about me and will help me stay on the right path.
But you better not call when the money's not right
I'm aware that some people may only care about my success for the money it brings and I have to be cautious of that.
In the free of the fall no one to kiss goodnight
Despite my success, I realize that it may mean sacrificing certain things, like close relationships or moments of comfort.
Take a look around, make yourself at home
Despite my caution and worries, I want to enjoy my success and all that comes with it.
Just take a deep breath it will be just fine
I'm reassuring myself that I can handle whatever comes my way and that everything will work out in the end.
Yeah, just look at me fly
I'm proud of myself and my accomplishments, and I want others to see that I've succeeded.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ARMANDO SAENZ, STONEY LA RUE PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind