Simpson was born in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky, the only child of a secretary and a state policeman who formerly worked undercover narcotics. Due to his father's work, Simpson's family moved to Versailles, outside Lexington, where Simpson graduated from Woodford County High School. Simpson's mother's family were coal miners. Simpson is the first male on his mother's side of the family to not work in a strip mine or deep mine. After three years in the United States Navy, Simpson spent time in Japan, then lived in Everett, Washington, and then moved back home to Lexington, Kentucky.
As of August 2017, he has released three albums as a solo artist. He released two albums independently, High Top Mountain in 2013 and Metamodern Sounds in Country Music in 2014. His second album is notable for being nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, being listed 18th on Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2014," and also being named among "NPR's 50 Favorite Albums of 2014." His third studio album, A Sailor's Guide to Earth, was released on Atlantic Records and was Simpson's first major-label release, later earning him Best Country Album at the 59th Grammy Awards while also being nominated for Album of the Year.
Simpson is often compared to Waylon Jennings and the Outlaw Country genre of country music. Shooter Jennings says, "Sturgill isn't imitating at all, and he sounds like my favorite era of my dad, the Seventies, when he would sing quieter and more conversational. That's what struck me about Sturgill from Day One. And still does." Simpson himself counts Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Keith Whitley, and Marty Robbins as much bigger influences on his sound than Waylon Jennings. Simpson has also stated he tries to base his career around that of Dwight Yoakam. Indeed, Country Music Television noted that Simpson had "a voice that recalls Merle Haggard [and] guitar licks that bring Buck Owens to mind." His overall sound was described by Indiewire as "a mesmerizing and sometimes bewildering mix of traditional country sounds, contemporary philosophy, and psychedelic recording-studio wizardry.
It Ain't All Flowers
Sturgill Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Taking all my full circles and making straight lines
Been getting to the bottom of the bottom getting to me
I've been holding up the mirror to everything I don't want to see
But it ain't all flowers
Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get the horns
Every time I find my groove they cut in like a knife
Been a sin eater Lord since I was born
Tired of feeling weighed down from carrying round all the pain that keeps me torn
So I pray when I lay me down to die
Grab a glass of wine and a seat to dine and go ahead and eat the whole damn pie
It ain't all flowers
Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get the horns
(oh lay me down)
(oh lay me down)
(oh lay me down)
The lyrics to "It Ain't All Flowers" by Sturgill Simpson explore the idea that life can be tough and that we have to face our demons head on. Simpson talks about the process of cleaning out the darkest corner of his mind, taking symbols of his struggles and straightening them out. It's clear that he's been through a lot, getting to the bottom of the bottom - a metaphor for hitting rock bottom. He's been trying to take a good, hard look at himself by holding up a mirror, and it isn't pretty. However, the chorus reveals the theme of the song, stating "But it ain't all flowers, sometimes you gotta feel the thorns." This means that life is not just easy all the time; sometimes it's painful, and we have to be prepared for that. Similarly, when one deals with the devil, they know they are in for a rough ride, and they are likely to suffer.
The second verse further elaborates on the subject matter, depicting Simpson's long association with demons in his life. Despite having found his groove, every time he thinks he's making progress, it's as though the demons are back again, cutting him like a knife. He talks about being a "sin eater" since birth, which implies that he has had to bear the burden of other people's sins throughout his life. It also relates to the concept of taking the pain of the community and transmuting it into something else, so that it's not as heavy to carry. He is tired of carrying the weight of the pain causing him to tear apart, and so he prays to be able to let go of it all in the end. This is depicted in the final line, where he compares laying down to die with having a glass of wine and eating an entire pie. He would much rather indulge in his weaknesses instead of continuing on that burdensome path.
Overall, the lyrics to "It Ain't All Flowers" speak to the complexities of life, of how it's not all sunshine and roses, and that one has to deal with thorns to get what they desire. Through his lyrics, Simpson is painting a picture of someone who has been through more than anyone can bear and has developed creative ways of dealing with the pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Cleaning out the darkest corner of my mind
Reflecting on past experiences and attempting to sort out complicated, difficult emotions.
Taking all my full circles and making straight lines
Simplifying complicated emotions or experiences to better understand and deal with them.
Been getting to the bottom of the bottom getting to me
Investigating one's most profound emotions and experiencing a sense of unease or discomfort.
I've been holding up the mirror to everything I don't want to see
Forcing oneself to take a long, hard look at unpleasant truths or aspects of oneself.
But it ain't all flowers
Life is not inherently easy, and negative experiences are a necessary part of growth and understanding.
Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
In order to appreciate the beauty and goodness of life, one must also experience pain and hardship.
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get the horns
Engaging in risky or dangerous behavior may have negative consequences, and individuals must be prepared to face them.
Been dancing with demons all my life
Struggling with deep, negative emotions or personal demons for an extended period of time.
Every time I find my groove they cut in like a knife
Just as one begins to feel comfortable or confident, unexpected challenges or negative experiences arise.
Been a sin eater Lord since I was born
Feeling responsible for absorbing the negative energy or pain of others, and carrying it with oneself for far too long.
Tired of feeling weighed down from carrying round all the pain that keeps me torn
Exhausted from the emotional toll of carrying heavy burdens and enduring pain and uncertainty.
So I pray when I lay me down to die
Reflecting on one's life and contemplating deeper spiritual or philosophical questions.
Grab a glass of wine and a seat to dine and go ahead and eat the whole damn pie
Indulging in simple pleasures and enjoying the moment, even when life is difficult and uncertain.
It ain't all flowers
Life is not inherently easy, and negative experiences are a necessary part of growth and understanding.
Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
In order to appreciate the beauty and goodness of life, one must also experience pain and hardship.
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get the horns
Engaging in risky or dangerous behavior may have negative consequences, and individuals must be prepared to face them.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Sturgill Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@porkenbeans3925
Cleaning out the darkest corners of my mind
Taking all my full circles, and making straight lines
Been getting to the bottom of the bottom getting to me
Holding up the mirror to everything I don't want to see
But it ain't all flowers / Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get the horns
Been dancing with demons all my life
Every time I find my groove they cut in like a knife
Been a sin eater since I was born
Tired of feeling weighed down from carrying round all the pain that keeps me torn
So I pray when I lay me down to die
Grab a glass of wine and a seat to dine and go ahead and eat the whole damn pie.
@zachtruthnow911
Cleaning out the darkest corner of my mind
Taking all my full circles and making straight lines
Been getting to the bottom of the bottom getting to me
I've been holding up the mirror to everything I don't want to see
But it ain't all flowers
Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get the horns
Been dancing with demons all my life
Every time I find my groove they cut in like a knife
Been a sin eater Lord since I was born
Tired of feeling weighed down from carrying round all the pain that keeps me torn
So I pray when I lay me down to die
Grab a glass of wine and a seat to dine and go ahead and eat the whole damn pie
It ain't all flowers
Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get the horns
@samirachaudhry4232
Cleaning out the darkest corners of my mind
Taking all my full circles, and making straight lines
Been getting to the bottom of the bottom getting to me
Holding up the mirror to everything I don't want to see
But it ain't all flowers
Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get the horns
Been dancing with demons all my life
Every time I find my groove they cut in like a knife
Been a sin eater since the day I was born
Tired of feeling weighed down from carrying round all the pain that keeps me torn
So I pray when I lay me down to die
Grab a glass of wine and a seat to dine and go ahead and eat the whole damn pie
But it ain't all flowers
Sometimes you gotta feel the thorns
And when you play with the Devil you know you gonna get
The horns
(oh lay me down)
(oh lay me down)
(oh lay me down)
@leonrector3892
This is probably the best and most innovative “Country” song made in my lifetime. Nothing but love for Sturgill.
@Learn2oo
Yeah it’s a track where the instrumental is the priority, it would impossible to play it strictly acoustically, and it’s not drowned in stereotypes, or any sort of lyrics for that matter. It’s good because it’s flat out not country. It’s electronic.
@morganlowder4532
Fr when most people push the boundaries of country it’s just boring pop music but when Sturgill does it, it sounds like something you’ve never heard before and it’s awesome
@bobbymartin3602
it's a fucking masterpiece
@kenwalton7735
If you ate a bunch of shrooms, and you’re in the middle of trying to get everything just right with your home audio system, don’t let this song sneak up on you in your playlist. It’s gonna fuck you up.
@angelvillarreal3648
Before I knew the name of this song, I tried describing it to people and everyone thought I was crazy and said I was listening to some new aged poppy country. Now everyone recognizes the reality and weight of this song.
@pistilliproductions2930
New fan.....what ever is happening in country music and bluegrass right now is like some kind of phycodelic outlaw revival......fucking love it!
@JASmith-oy8db
I am not a mainstream country fan at all, but recently discovered this artist and album ( and Hightop) and am way into it. What else would you recommend, especially bluegrass?
@balcorn9211
@J. A. Smith Sturgill did a couple of Bluegrass albums with a lot of his other songs and a couple new ones. They're called Cuttin' Grass Vol. 1 and 2. I'd recommend Keep It Between the Lines, Tennessee, and I Don't Mind.
@JASmith-oy8db
@Blake A That’s great! Thanks! I’ll check it out. I also just found his new album that has a lot of blue grass in it.