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.
Just Let Go
Sturgill Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It ain't ever done me no good no how
Gonna break through and blast off to the Bardo
In them flowers of light far away from the here and now
Taking a 49 divine day vacation
From reality and all else in between
Gonna transmigrate to my destination
Am I dreaming? Am I dying?
Either way I don't mind at all
Oh, it feels so good you just can't help but crying
Oh, you have to let go so the soul may fall
Oh my God, it's so beautiful
Everything is a part of me
It's so hard looking through all the lies made of wool
But if you close your eyes it becomes so easy to see
The lyrics of Sturgill Simpson's “Just Let Go” offer a reflection brimming with existential musings on the nature of the self and reality. The song begins with Simpson waking up and resolving to “kill [his] ego,” a declaration that serves as a prelude to the ensuing spiritual journey. He feels the need to let go of his ego, understanding that it has never done him any good. In the pursuit of a higher consciousness, he seeks to reach enlightenment by embarking on a journey through the afterlife. Simpson alludes to “Bardo," a concept in Tibetan Buddhism that refers to the intermediate state between two lives on Earth. The flowers of light referenced in the song illustrate the mystical idea that Simpson is on a path leading him far away from the present moment.
The second verse elaborates the journey that Simpson is undertaking. He is taking a “49 divine day vacation” from the mundane reality that surrounds him. This statement suggests that he desires to leave behind his current life temporarily in the pursuit of higher truths. Simpson wants to transcend time and reach his destination, which is beyond the world's physical boundaries before him. The final lines of the verse demonstrate Simpson's acceptance of the journey's significance, whether it's a dream or death. The chorus emphasizes the importance of letting go of everything and falling in order for the soul to rise, and Simpson does so with unadulterated joy. The song ends with a realization that everything around us is interconnected and an epiphany that life can be easier to see with one's eyes shut.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up today and decided to kill my ego
I have decided to give up my unhealthy sense of self-importance, which has never served me well.
It ain't ever done me no good no how
My ego has never been beneficial to me in any way.
Gonna break through and blast off to the Bardo
I will transcend the physical world and enter a spiritual realm.
In them flowers of light far away from the here and now
I will travel to a distant land of light and beauty, far beyond the present moment.
Taking a 49 divine day vacation
I am embarking on a spiritual journey that will last for 49 days.
From reality and all else in between
I will be disconnected from the physical world and all its distractions.
Gonna transmigrate to my destination
I will undergo a transformation as I move toward my spiritual goal.
Far beyond time in an eternal dream
I will enter an eternal state of bliss beyond the constraints of time.
Am I dreaming? Am I dying?
I am unsure if I am experiencing a dream or death.
Either way I don't mind at all
I am at peace with whatever the outcome may be.
Oh, it feels so good you just can't help but crying
The experience is so overwhelming that it brings tears of joy.
Oh, you have to let go so the soul may fall
To fully embrace this spiritual journey, I must release any attachment to the physical world and allow my soul to transcend.
Oh my God, it's so beautiful
The beauty of this spiritual realm is beyond words.
Everything is a part of me
I am connected to everything and everyone in the universe.
It's so hard looking through all the lies made of wool
It is difficult to see through the illusions and falsehoods of the physical world.
But if you close your eyes it becomes so easy to see
By closing one's eyes and focusing inward, the truth of the spiritual realm can be easily perceived.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Sturgill Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Creepy Cooter
Woke up today and decided to kill my ego
It ain't ever done me no good no how
Gonna break through and blast off to the Bardo
In them flowers of light far away from the here and now
Taking a 49 divine day vacation
From reality and all else in between
Gonna transmigrate to my destination
Far beyond time in an eternal dream
Am I dreaming? Am I dying?
Either way I don't mind at all
Oh, it feels so good you just can't help but crying
Oh, you have to let go so the soul may fall
Oh my God, it's so beautiful
Everything is a part of me
It's so hard looking through all the lies made of wool
But if you close your eyes it becomes so easy to see
Alex Pritt
Woke up today and decided to kill my ego
It aint ever done me no good no how
Gonna break through and blast off to the Bardo
In them flowers of light far away from the here and now
Taking a 49 divine day vacation
From reality and all else in between
Gonna transmigrate to my destination
Far beyond time in an eternal dream
But am I dreaming or am I dying
Either way I don't mind at all
It feels so good you just can't help but crying
You have to let go so the soul can fall
Oh my God it's so beautiful
Everything is a part of me
It's so hard looking through all the lies made of wool
But if you close your eyes it becomes so easy to see
Written by: John Sturgill Simpson
Album: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
Released: 2014
Ryan Felton
The DMT description mixed with Buddhist doctrine is overwhelming.
“decided to kill my ego” and “gonna break through and blast off to the Bardo” refers to taking 5-MeO-DMT and "bardo" is the state of existence intermediate between two lives on earth. Those who’ve taken 5--MeO-DMT often describe an “ego death” as the most liberating and impactful experience of their lives.
“Taking a 49 divine day vacation from reality” is an undeniable reference to Buddha. After spending 49 days sitting under a Bo-tree meditating, Siddhartha Gautama became Buddha Gautama; he had finally reached enlightenment.
“Oh my God, it's so beautiful
Everything is a part of me” describes the sense of nirvana or being one with everything and is a common experience while on 5--MeO-DMT.
Prepare for blastoff…
J DUbbz
My absolute favorite Stugill song. These lyrics move mountains.
Anonymous Human
This song is truly about the awakening of human consciousness. This dude is beyond his time. Quite incredible.
Mark Alton
I'm just blown away that I never heard of this guy before 2021! How is Luke Bryan on the radio but this dude isn't?
4NoRaisin
Think about it
Mark Alton
@4NoRaisin I need a little more than that. Im seriously perplexed
4NoRaisin
@Mark Alton listen to the lyrics, itll make sense if it makes sense so to speak
Chad Bays
He keeps switch his music genres now he’s all blue grass🤷♂️🤦♂️
Jacob Pulido
Sturgill is on 92.1 in Seguin texas
Shawn Meloy
First line of this song is ABSOLUTE GOLD! Since hearing it, I'm trying to apply it to my every day life. I think those words are the past to peace.
Shane Santana
I was at the gym a day after my sister's funeral service and this came on with my workout music out of nowhere. It hit like a ton of bricks, I had to compose myself in the middle of a workout.