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
Tryin' to Beat the Morning Home
T.G. Sheppard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd sell my soul to find one more drink left in that bottle
They say that I'm worthless, that all hope for me is gone
Heaven help me; trying to beat the morning home
Lord, don't let the daylight show the shame that's on my face
Just let me hide in my disgrace (Just let me hide in my disgrace)
She won't ask where, where I've been or why I'm drinking
She knows it's hopeless, but she keeps hanging on
Heaven help me; (heaven help me) trying to beat the morning home
Lord, I know I've tried, many times before
But this time I really mean it, so help me
Trying to beat the morning home
The lyrics of T.G. Sheppard's song "Trying to Beat the Morning Home" tell a heartbreaking story of a man who is struggling with alcoholism, and the desperation he feels as he tries to hide his addiction from those around him. The opening lines of the song establish the dark place the singer is in, as he admits to being drunk and unable to get help from anyone. He expresses a willingness to do anything for another drink, even if it means selling his soul. The chorus finds him pleading with a higher power for help, as he tries to outrun the morning light that would reveal his shame.
In the second verse, we learn that the singer has a woman in his life who is still standing by him, despite his addiction. He imagines her waiting for him at home, knowing that she won't pry into his whereabouts or drinking habits. He acknowledges that things seem hopeless, but he's still trying to beat the morning home and keep his secrets hidden. The final stanza finds the singer making a plea directly to God, admitting that he has tried to beat his addiction before, but this time he really means it.
Overall, "Trying to Beat the Morning Home" is a touching and honest portrayal of the struggle of addiction, and the ways it can isolate and destroy those who suffer from it. The song speaks to the universal human experience of facing our demons and trying to find a way out of the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Drunk and cold, can't get no help from nobody
Feeling inebriated and left helpless, unable to receive assistance from anyone.
I'd sell my soul to find one more drink left in that bottle
Desperately craving just one more drink, even if it means making a deal with the devil.
They say that I'm worthless, that all hope for me is gone
Others have given up on the person, seeing them as without value and their potential expended.
Heaven help me; trying to beat the morning home
Asking for divine intervention to help evade the consequences of their actions and escape the guilt that comes with a new day.
Lord, don't let the daylight show the shame that's on my face
Hoping to avoid the harsh light of day which would reveal their inner humiliation and disgrace.
Just let me hide in my disgrace (Just let me hide in my disgrace)
Seeking refuge in their own self-loathing and disappointment - it is the only comfort they have left.
My woman's there. I'll be she's sitting there just waiting
Thinking of the person who waits for them at home, probably disappointed or afraid, but who still remains steadfast in their loyalty.
She won't ask where, where I've been or why I'm drinking
Feeling both grateful and guilty for the unconditional love of their partner who refuses to pry into their destructive behavior.
She knows it's hopeless, but she keeps hanging on
Acknowledging that their situation may be beyond repair, but still holding on to hope that things can improve.
Lord, I know I've tried, many times before
Recognizing past failures and shortcomings that contribute to the present predicament.
But this time I really mean it, so help me
Determined to change and break the cycle of addiction and self-destructive behavior.
Trying to beat the morning home
Attempting to outrun the dawn, to hold on to the night where sorrows can be drowned and escape momentarily achieved.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ELROY DAVID KAHANEK, RED WILLIAMS, T.G. SHEPPARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Recycledhooligan
The real deal grown folks music here.music that actually means something
@michkuvai6362
Shed tears every time I play and listen to this song,it brings me back into times was growing up and the loved ones, some have passed on
@geraldturberville2641
This is real country music
@danielburns987
this song went to #1 on the country charts in 1975!!!
@johnsandiford5978
Thanks for listening Daniel
@warrenvandertie8300
It was actually recorded by Earl Thomas Conley in November of 1974. It became a hi for TG Shepard 5 months later.
@misst350
I was born when this was popular?! ðŸ¤
@muzikdude1188
This was his second single to reach the top of the country charts. 12 more #1 hits would follow over the next decade. He had one hell of a career.
@bobbyhuffstetler1362
A real country singer!
@johnsandiford5978
Thanks for listening Bobby