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.
Welcome To Earth
Sturgill Simpson Lyrics
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Welcome to earth
May not be my last
But you'll always be my first
Wish I'd done this ten years ago
But how could I know
How could I know
I've been told you measure a man
By how much he loves
When I hold you
I treasure each moment I spend
On this earth, under heaven above
Grandfather always said God's a fisherman
And now I know the reason why
And if some times daddy has to go away
But please don't think that it means I don't love you
Oh, how I wish I could be there everyday
'Cause when I'm gone it makes me so sad and blue
And holding you is the greatest love I've ever known
Oh, when I get home it breaks my heart
Seeing how much you've grown, all on your own, oh
Oh, hearing that
Made me cry
It made me cry
Hearing me cry
A thousand miles away
Every cry
(Greatest love I've ever known)
(Oh, ever known)
In Sturgill Simpson's song Welcome to Earth, the singer addresses his newborn son, welcoming him to the world. The opening line, "Hello, my son, welcome to earth," expresses the joy and awe of new parenthood. The second line, "May not be my last, but you'll always be my first," suggests that the singer is anticipating the birth of more children, but his firstborn will always hold a special place in his heart.
The third line, "Wish I'd done this ten years ago, but how could I know," conveys a sense of regret that the singer did not become a father earlier in life. He recognizes that being a parent is the most rewarding and fulfilling experience he has ever had. The fourth line, "How could I know that the answer was so easy," suggests that the singer has found a sense of purpose and meaning in his life through fatherhood.
The song's chorus, "I've been told you measure a man by how much he loves, when I hold you I treasure each moment I spend, on this earth, under heaven above," emphasizes the importance of love and connection in life. The singer recognizes that the love he feels for his son is the most valuable thing in his life, and he cherishes every moment he spends with him.
The song's second verse, "Grandfather always said God's a fisherman, and now I know the reason why," suggests that the singer has gained a new understanding of spirituality and the mysteries of life through becoming a parent. The final verse addresses the fact that the singer will have to be away from his son at times but wants him to know that his love is unwavering.
Overall, Welcome to Earth is a touching and heartfelt expression of the joys and challenges of parenthood, and the deep love and connection between a parent and child.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, my son
A greeting to my newborn child
Welcome to earth
A welcoming message to my child into this world
May not be my last
I may have more children in the future
But you'll always be my first
You hold a special place in my heart as my first child
Wish I'd done this ten years ago
I regret not having a child earlier
But how could I know
I couldn't have predicted the joys of parenthood
That the answer was so easy
Having a child is a simple but fulfilling experience
I've been told you measure a man
I've heard that a man's worth is judged by how much he loves
By how much he loves
The amount of love one shows to others is important
When I hold you
Caring for my child is an invaluable experience
I treasure each moment I spend
I cherish every second I have with my child
On this earth, under heaven above
Being alive and having a child is a gift from a higher power
Grandfather always said God's a fisherman
My grandfather believed that a higher power guides and provides
And now I know the reason why
Having a child has given me a better understanding of my grandfather's beliefs
And if some times daddy has to go away
Sometimes I may have to leave for work or other obligations
But please don't think that it means I don't love you
My absence doesn't reflect my love for you
Oh, how I wish I could be there everyday
I want to spend as much time as possible with my child
'Cause when I'm gone it makes me so sad and blue
Being away from my child causes me emotional distress
And holding you is the greatest love I've ever known
The love I feel for my child is the strongest affection I have experienced
Oh, when I get home it breaks my heart
Seeing my child grow up so fast makes me sad
Seeing how much you've grown, all on your own, oh
It's amazing to see how much my child has developed without my constant presence
Oh, hearing that
Referring to something said earlier
Made me cry
It brought tears to my eyes
It made me cry
I was emotionally affected by what was said
Hearing me cry
Someone could hear me crying
A thousand miles away
I was somewhere far from my child at the time of the cry
(Greatest love I've ever known)
Repeating previous mention of how much I love my child
(Oh, ever known)
Added emphasis to how much I love my child
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Sturgill Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind