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.
Keep It Between The Lines
Sturgill Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't get busted selling at seventeen
Most thoughts deserve two or three more
Motoroil is motoroil
Just keep the engine clean
Keep your eyes on the prize
Everything will be fine
Long as you stay in school
And keep between the lines
Don't burn two lanterns at the same time
No ship out on the water or the field we're in
'Cause you live and you learn
Sometimes you get burned
When you get out, done got up
Walked out the door and went
Do as I say
Don't do as I've done
It don't have to be
Like a father, like a son
Don't let them try to upsell you
There's a reason they make chocolate and vanilla, too
If there's any doubt, then there is no doubt
The gut don't never lie
And the only word you'll ever need to know in life is, why
Keep your head out of the clouds
And remember to be kind
And just stay in school
Stay off the drugs
And keep between the lines
(Don't, don't sweat the small stuff)
(Don't sweat the small stuff)
(Don't sweat the small stuff)
The song Keep It Between The Lines by Sturgill Simpson is a piece of fatherly advice given to his son. The lyrics begin with some basic instructions such as not using mailboxes as baseballs or selling drugs before the legal age. Simpson then advises his son to keep his home clean and take care of his car's engine. The chorus is a reminder to focus on the goal and live a clean life, stay in school, and refrain from using hard drugs.
The next verse builds up on the previous advice given by the father. Simpson tells his son not to take unnecessary risks, such as burning two lanterns at the same time or not following the rules on a field or a ship. Simpson acknowledges mistakes and advises his son to learn from them. He urges his son to be curious and ask questions, always searching for the reason behind something. The song concludes with the same message from the chorus.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt message from a father to his son, providing simple yet insightful advice for leading a good and honest life. The lyrics are simple, but they convey a powerful message that can resonate with anyone regardless of age.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't turn mailboxes into baseballs
Do not destroy someone else's property or play pranks at someone else's expense.
Don't get busted selling at seventeen
Do not engage in illegal activities or break the law, especially at a young age.
Those thoughts are absurd, to a dirty home
It is futile to focus on trivial matters when there are bigger issues in one's life or surroundings that need to be addressed first.
Motoroil is motoroil
Do not get caught up in brand names or marketing tactics; at the end of the day, the product still serves the same purpose.
Just keep the engine clean
Take care of the important things and keep them in good condition, as they are necessary for functioning properly.
Keep your eyes on the prize
Focus on your goals and aspirations, and do not let distractions derail you from achieving them.
Everything will be fine
As long as you work towards your goals and stay on the right path, things will turn out okay.
Long as you stay in school
Education is important and can open doors to future opportunities.
Stay off the hard stuff
Avoid harmful substances that can have negative consequences on one's health and well-being.
And keep between the lines
Stay on the right path and avoid deviating from it; stick to what is right and avoid risks and trouble.
Don't burn two lanterns at the same time
Do not take on too much at once or spread yourself too thin, as it can lead to exhaustion and mistakes.
No ship out on the water or the field we're in
Do not take unnecessary risks or venture into unknown territory without preparation, as it can lead to danger and failure.
'Cause you live and you learn
Mistakes happen, but they can be valuable learning experiences that help individuals grow and improve.
Sometimes you get burned
Taking risks or making mistakes can have consequences, and it is important to accept accountability for them.
When you get out, done got up
When faced with adversity or obstacles, it is important to keep going and not give up.
Walked out the door and went
Leave behind negativity or bad situations and move forward in a positive direction.
Do as I say
Listen to advice and guidance from those with more experience or knowledge.
Don't do as I've done
Learn from the mistakes of others and avoid repeating them.
It don't have to be
Life does not have to be difficult or complicated; it can be simple and manageable.
Like a father, like a son
Behavior and habits can be passed down to future generations, both good and bad.
Don't let them try to upsell you
Do not fall for marketing ploys or advertisements that attempt to persuade or manipulate consumers.
There's a reason they make chocolate and vanilla, too
Different preferences and choices exist, and it is important to recognize and respect them.
If there's any doubt, then there is no doubt
Trust your instincts and do not ignore red flags or warning signs.
The gut don't never lie
Instincts and intuition can be reliable indicators of what is right or wrong, even if they cannot always be explained.
And the only word you'll ever need to know in life is, why
Curiosity, questioning, and a desire for understanding can lead to growth, learning, and success.
Keep your head out of the clouds
Stay grounded and connected to reality, rather than getting lost in fanciful or unrealistic ideas.
And remember to be kind
Treat others with compassion, respect, and empathy, as it can have a positive impact on both yourself and those around you.
And just stay in school
Education is a valuable tool for personal and professional growth, and can lead to future opportunities and success.
Stay off the drugs
Harmful substances can have negative effects on physical and mental health, and it is important to avoid them.
And keep between the lines
Stay on the right path and avoid taking unnecessary risks or deviating from the course; stick to what is right and safe.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Sturgill Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind