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.
The Storm
Sturgill Simpson Lyrics
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'Cause I've been sitting around all day with the blues
I know how it looks but don't misunderstand
It's just that I can tell a storm's about to brew
'Cause there's thunder inside my mind
There's lightning behind these eyes
There's a lull and the wind is dying down
Flood waters rolling in and my heart's gonna drown
Our love wilted like a flower that ain't got enough sun
Well the thunder in my head might go away
And the river of pain will flow back to the sea
Well if you would only come back home to stay
It'd bring a stop to the rain and happiness to me
Well if you would just come back I'd be so grateful
And the storm would be over
The world wouldn't seem so mean and hateful
And I'd lay you down on a bed of yellow clover
'Cause there's a lull and the wind is dying down
Don't let it fool you the storm ain't done
Flood waters rolling in and my heart's gonna drown
Our love wilted like a flower that ain't got enough sun
There's a lull and the wind is dying down
But don't let it fool you the storm ain't done
Flood waters rolling in and my heart's gonna drown
Our love wilted like a flower that ain't got enough sun
"The Storm" by Sturgill Simpson is a poignant ballad that speaks of a coming storm both outside and within the singer. The song begins with the singer sitting around all day feeling a sense of impending doom. The singer feels the coming storm not just through external changes in the weather but also internally through the thunder in his head and lightning in his eyes. While the lull in the wind might suggest the storm's end, the singer knows it is not over yet.
Throughout the song, Simpson uses imagery to describe the end of a relationship between the singer and his lover. The love between them is described as a flower that didn't get enough sun and has died. The storm appears to represent the emotions that are brewing within the singer, much like the storm that is approaching outside. His pain and sorrow are described as flood waters that are rolling in and threatening to drown him.
The song concludes on a hopeful note. The singer pleads with his lover to come back home and stop the rain. If she does, it will bring happiness to him and end the storm within him. However, whether or not she returns is unclear, and the storm may continue to rage on. The song is a portrayal of the human experience of turmoil, heartbreak, and the uncertainty of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't think me a lazy man
Please do not assume that I am lazy.
'Cause I've been sitting around all day with the blues
I have been feeling very sad and have been sitting here for a long time.
I know how it looks but don't misunderstand
I understand how it may seem to you, but please do not misinterpret my inactivity.
It's just that I can tell a storm's about to brew
I feel like something bad is going to happen soon.
'Cause there's thunder inside my mind
I have a lot of thoughts and emotions that are building up like a thunderstorm.
There's lightning behind these eyes
My eyes may seem to have a spark of anger or frustration.
There's a lull and the wind is dying down
Things have become quiet and calm for now.
Don't let it fool you the storm ain't done
However, do not be deceived because the bad situation is not truly over.
Flood waters rolling in and my heart's gonna drown
I feel overwhelmed and like everything is going wrong.
Our love wilted like a flower that ain't got enough sun
Our relationship has lost its strength and potential because it was not nurtured properly like a flower.
Well the thunder in my head might go away
My thoughts and emotions may calm down.
And the river of pain will flow back to the sea
The overwhelming feelings of sadness and hurt will potentially lessen and fade away.
Well if you would only come back home to stay
If only you would return to our home and stay with me.
It'd bring a stop to the rain and happiness to me
Our reunion could bring an end to my negative feelings and bring me joy.
Well if you would just come back I'd be so grateful
I would be very appreciative if you decided to come back to me.
And the storm would be over
Our issues would come to an end.
The world wouldn't seem so mean and hateful
My perspective of the world around me will be less bitter and harsh.
And I'd lay you down on a bed of yellow clover
I would welcome you back and give you comfort.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Sturgill Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind