In 1974, Sheppard signed with Melodyland (later Hitsville) Records, which was a short-lived country label that was owned by Motown Records, and recorded the song "Devil in the Bottle," which became a No. 1 hit on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart and also became a Top 60 Pop hit in 1975. The follow-up, "Tryin' to Beat the Morning Home," also went to No. 1 and cracked the Top 100 during the summer of 1975. Several subsequent releases during 1975-1977 also made the Top 10 like "Motels and Memories" and "Show Me A Man".
Early in his career, TG became close friends w/Elvis Presley. Elvis gave TG his first tour bus and TG even lived at Graceland for a while during their friendship. A relative of TG's at a performance of his in his hometown of Humboldt, TN gave a first-hand account of TG mentioning the recent passing of his friend, Elvis, beginning to honor him by singing one of Elvis' songs, & having to leave the stage to compose himself before returning to finish the song. TG & Elvis were very close.
In 1977, Sheppard signed with Warner Bros. Records, where he enjoyed his greatest success. Starting with that summer's "When Can We Do This Again," he had a series of fifteen consecutive Top 10 releases, including 10 No. 1 songs. The biggest included "Last Cheater's Waltz" (1979); "I'll Be Coming Back For More" and "Do You Want to Go to Heaven" (1980); "I Loved 'Em Everyone" and "Party Time" (1981); "Only One You," "Finally" and "War is Hell (On the Homefront Too)" (1982). Another major hit came in 1984: "Slow Burn." "I Loved 'Em, Everyone" also reached the top-forty on the U.S. pop singles charts.
In 1985, he moved from Warner Bros. to Columbia Records, where he continued to enjoy success. After just missing the top 20 with "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" (a remake of the Elvin Bishop hit), he returned to the top 10, with his biggest success during this time frame coming with 1986's "Strong Heart" (the last of his 14 No. 1 hits, as it turned out). Three more songs peaked at No. 2 in 1987: "Half Past Forever (Till I'm Blue in the Heart)," "You're My First Lady" and "One for the Money."
Sheppard's success continued until about 1988, when rootsy neo-traditionalist artists began to eclipse more polished pop-country artists like Sheppard on the country charts. He continued to tour and play throughout the 1990s, but did not sign a new record contract, and did not release any new material until his 2002 live release, T.G. Sheppard: Live at Billy Bob's, which found Sheppard performing his classic hits for an enthusiastic crowd at the famed honky tonk in Fort Worth, Texas.
He has a new CD out called "Timeless" which has him singing songs from the big band era. In the mid to late 1980's T.G. Sheppard was an associate sponsor on the #25 Folgers Chevrolet driven on the Nascar Winston Cup circuit by Tim Richmond and Ken Schrader. In 1990 the Folgers sponsorship moved to Roush racing and driver Mark Martin.
TG is married to a fellow song-writer / singer, Kelly Lang, and they currently reside in Hendersonville, TN
Party Time
T.G. Sheppard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time to get you off my mind
Forget the life I left behind
and all those dreams that won't come true
Oh oh its party time
Its time for laugh and pass the wine
Its early and I'm feelin' fine
Darlin' ever since the day
Yes its time to go our separate ways
I've been searchin' for a way to be
for doing you so wrong
Now its time to call the heart
You know it wasn't all my fault
You cheated too but you were never caught
Your friends lied all along
Oh oh its party time
It's time to get you off my mind
It's early and I'm feeling fine
I'll soon be over you
It shouldn't take us very long
Another sip or two and you'll be gone
Another chorus of she done you wrong
And I'll be over you
Oh oh its party time
It's time to get you off my mind
It's early and I'm feeling fine
I'll soon be over you
Oh oh its party time
It's time to get you off my mind
Forget the life I left behind
and all those dreams that won't come true
The lyrics to T.G. Sheppard's song "Party Time" describe the singer's desire to move on from a past relationship. He wants to forget the life and dreams they shared, so he decides to throw a party to help him get over her. The singer acknowledges that both he and his former partner made mistakes in the relationship and that he has been searching for a way to be at peace with what happened. The chorus repeats the idea of it being party time, but it's clear that the party is a way for the singer to compartmentalize his emotions and move on from the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh its party time
The singer is ready to have fun and forget their troubles.
It's time to get you off my mind
The singer wants to let go of someone who is on their mind.
Forget the life I left behind
The singer wants to escape their past and start fresh.
and all those dreams that won't come true
The artist is accepting that certain dreams may not be achievable.
Its time for laugh and pass the wine
The artist is ready to have a good time and enjoy wine with others.
Its early and I'm feelin' fine
The singer is excited to start the party early and feels good.
I'll soon be over you
The singer wants to move on and get over someone.
Yes its time to go our separate ways
The artist acknowledges that it's time to end a relationship.
I've been searchin' for a way to be
The artist has been trying to find themselves and their path.
for doing you so wrong
The artist feels remorseful for their past actions towards someone.
Now its time to call the heart
The singer wants to be honest with their emotions and feelings.
You know it wasn't all my fault
The artist recognizes that both parties were at fault in the relationship.
You cheated too but you were never caught
The singer knows that their partner also cheated but wasn't caught.
Your friends lied all along
The singer believes that their partner's friends covered for their cheating.
It shouldn't take us very long
The singer thinks that moving on won't take long.
Another sip or two and you'll be gone
The artist is using alcohol to help them forget about their past partner.
Another chorus of she done you wrong
The artist is singing along to the song, relating it to their own situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID REEVES, GEORGE CLINTON, WILLIAM EARL COLLINS, DARRYL MATTHEWS MCDANIELS, JASON WILLIAM MIZELL, GARRY MARSHALL SHIDER, JOSEPH WARD SIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@veravajr
This is a great song.Mr. Sheppard you are awesome on this song. Wow what a voice you have. One sexy dude too.
@LittleSlim78
Woah oh oh it’s party time. So so many memories from when my momma would be playing this on Friday nights getting ready to go out with her friends. Thank God she had her mom and dad to take care of us so she could get away. Miss my momma. Miss my grandma and grandpa.
Momma departed Nov. 15, 2022
Grandma April 19, 2007
Grandpa July 27, 2007
@Matt-mo8sl
THIS is what country should have remained like, not this top 40 pop country shit today.
@mandysimmons2769
I really appreciate posters who keep the oldy golds on here. Thanks for posting this.
@JWGauntt
very welcome
@michaelcalvert9229
A beer joint and this song. 1981
@joannhall3637
This was one of my mamas favorite songs. Today is her birthday. Happy heavenly birthday mama.
@lindavanceriley3203
That's cause you mama and me are the only ones who know what we were probably doing!😂😂😂
@conniesmith3996
I understand /happy birthday to your mom
@luannyates5199
Sounds like you’re mom felt like me. Bless you