He bought his first harmonica when he was 16, for $2 at a flea market in Bessemer, Alabama, and taught himself to play blues harp. He discovered that he possessed absolute pitch when he was able to recognize the pitches of ordinary noises and mimic them on the harmonica. Hicks was 18 when he wrote his first song, "In Your Time", and he taught himself to play guitar when he was 19.
While in college, Hicks was part of a band called Passing Through, which he later quit to start his own band. He recorded In Your Time, an album which included both studio and live tracks, independently in 1997. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2000 to pursue a music career. There, he worked with Nashville veterans Billy Earl McClelland and Percy Sledge and recorded a three-track demo but was unable to find a label that would sign him. He left Nashville after a year due to what he called the "oversaturation of the market". Hicks returned to Alabama and launched a professional music career, performing at various venues and parties, mostly around the Southeastern United States.
He recorded, produced, and released a second album, Under the Radar, in 2005. Despite releasing two albums prior to appearing on American Idol, he did not violate their requirements for contestants, as he had never held a recording contract.
Studio recording sessions for the eponymous major label debut Taylor Hicks ran in Calabasas, California between October and November 2006, and took six weeks in total. The album was produced by Matt Serletic, who has produced for Collective Soul, matchbox twenty, and Rob Thomas. The album was released on December 12, 2006 and debuted at the number two spot on the Billboard 200 charts. It was certified as a platinum album by the RIAA on January 17, 2007.
On February 21, 2007, Hicks launched a a three-month US promotional tour for his album, followed almost immediately by a summer tour. One of the high energy shows was captured on film and appeared on HDNet under the title "Whomp At The Warfield."
In 2009 Hicks released his second album, The Distance, on his own label, Modern Whomp Records, on March 10, 2009. The first single, "What's Right Is Right", was added to AC adds on January 27, 2009. So far the single reached #24 on Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. It was produced by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan.
Hicks returned to the American Idol stage on April 29, 2009 during Season 8 and performed the second single from The Distance, Seven Mile Breakdown, which was re-released in a country format.
Both "What's Right is Right" and "Seven Mile Breakdown" were made into music videos.
In May 2009, Taylor Hicks made Forbes "Top Ten earning American Idol stars" list, coming in at number 10, with over $300,000 earned from album sales and from his role as "Teen Angel" in the national tour of Grease.
Somehow
Taylor Hicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left to be unsaid
Some live in a dark hole
Sometimes in my head
But I'm all right
I'll get by
Somehow
You want to feel their emotion
Sometimes even hold their hand
But they're giving nothing in return
To suit their own demands
But I'm tired
And I'll get by
Somehow
Look at the people around you
Stabbing at your heart
But you still smile in kindness
For not knowing who they are
And their stories have ended
And they've lit up the town
And it's time to go home
As they go and lay their bodies back down
You want to feel their emotion
Sometimes even hold their hand
But they're giving nothing in return
To suit their own demands
But I'm tired
And I'll get by
Somehow
Look at the people around you
Stabbing at your heart
But you still smile in kindness
For not knowing who they are
And their stories have ended
And they've lit up the town
And it's time to go home
As they go and lay their bodies back down
There's too many things
Left to be unsaid
So I live in a dark hole
Sometimes in my head
But I'm all right
I'll get by
Somehow
The song "Somehow" by Taylor Hicks is a touching ballad that speaks about the struggle of dealing with unexpressed emotions and unanswered questions. The opening lines showcase the theme of regret and missed opportunities that many of us feel when we don't say or do what we wanted, leading to unresolved issues. The lyrics then transform into a reflection on giving without receiving anything in return, the feeling of exhaustion, and the need to persevere somehow.
Later in the song, Hicks sounds like he's reminiscing off past relationships or acquaintances, and how they've left an impression in his life, even if they didn't give anything back. The metaphorical lyrics depict the people stabbing at his heart, which could mean how they hurt him, either unaware or uncaring. The songwriter, however, still holds his composure and reacts with kindness, showing that even though he's tired, he's still fighting in his own way.
In conclusion, what we can get from this beautiful song is the importance of opening up and speaking our minds before it's too late. It touches on the power of human connections and how giving without expecting anything back can sometimes leave us emotionally drained. However, despite the hardship and confusion, Hicks's lyrics remind us that we can always find a way to keep going and get by, somehow.
Line by Line Meaning
There's too many things
There are so many things left unspoken, so many thoughts that have been bottled up.
Left to be unsaid
So many words unspoken and wishes unfulfilled, things that could have been said but haven't been.
Some live in a dark hole
Some thoughts and emotions are buried in a dark hole inside the mind, where they can't be seen or expressed.
Sometimes in my head
These thoughts and emotions, although invisible, still exist inside my mind, causing me pain and anxiety.
But I'm all right
Despite these struggles, I'm still holding on, staying strong.
I'll get by
I'll continue moving forward, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Somehow
Even without knowing exactly how, I'll find a way to persevere through everything.
You want to feel their emotion
You want to connect with others on a deeper level, to really understand their emotions and feelings.
Sometimes even hold their hand
You want to comfort and support those around you, to be there for them when they need someone the most.
But they're giving nothing in return
However, sometimes people don't reciprocate these feelings, leaving you feeling drained and unappreciated.
To suit their own demands
They prioritize themselves and their own needs above those around them, causing pain and frustration.
But I'm tired
Despite my best efforts to support those around me, these disappointments have drained me both physically and emotionally.
Look at the people around you
It's important to take a step back and observe those around you to understand where they're coming from.
Stabbing at your heart
Even when you have good intentions and want to help, some actions from others can still hurt you deeply.
But you still smile in kindness
Despite the pain you feel, you continue to show kindness and empathy towards others.
For not knowing who they are
Even if you don't know their story or the reasons behind their actions, you continue to show compassion.
And their stories have ended
Some people have already passed away, leaving behind only their memories and stories.
And they've lit up the town
These people have inspired and impacted others in positive ways and will be remembered for their light that shone so bright.
And it's time to go home
The time has come to leave and move on from these memories.
As they go and lay their bodies back down
These people have passed away and their bodies are now at rest, leaving behind only their memories and stories.
There's too many things
The same idea from the beginning of the song is repeated, emphasizing the abundance of unspoken words and feelings.
Left to be unsaid
These words and feelings continue to be unspoken, which causes pain and frustration.
So I live in a dark hole
The pain and frustration from unspoken words and emotions continue to weigh heavily on me, causing me to retreat inside myself.
Sometimes in my head
These unspoken words and emotions continue to exist inside my mind, causing me pain and anxiety.
But I'm all right
Despite these struggles, I'm still holding on, staying strong.
I'll get by
I'll continue moving forward, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Somehow
Once again emphasizing that I'll persevere through everything, regardless of how difficult it may seem.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Taylor Reuben Hicks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mia Breet
My favorite Taylor Hicks song! The original version changed my life in 2012 - it got me to LIVE AGAIN after a long period of darkness. It spoke to me like nothing or nobody else. It also encouraged me to listen to and properly hear music again. And this new version is a renewal of that memory. The symbolism in all of this for me personally is so fabulous, I consider it Godsent. Mother Music is the world's best healer and Taylor Hicks is blessed with an amazing gift.
Carol Custer
This has always been a favorite of mine from the original album. This version is even better!! Love it!
Gregg Barral
Both versions are wonderful in their own way, but I really love this one!
Judy Morton
The first time I heard Somehow I thought it should be a number 1 song!! Loved it then and love the new version. Taylor's voice sounds fantastic. Off to play it again and again and again.
Jeanne Hopkins
Thank you, Taylor #Somehow sounds amazing. Always been a personal favorite of mine.
Missy1027
This is a beautiful version of " Somehow". The vocals are strong and clear and I especially like the saxophone solo. Well done, Taylor.
RagsQueen - Mandy C
What a beautiful version of this song!
Laurie B
Love the new mix for an amazing song!!!
CF Kinzer
Amazingly beautiful! Great songs can be made even better. Thanks for making this favorite even better. Ü
Louise Uznanski
One of many great original songs from the In Your Time album by Taylor Hicks. These songs are timeless.