The Chantays were formed in 1961 when five high-school friends decided to start their own band. Bob Spickard, Brian Carman (co-writers of "Pipeline"), Bob Welch, Warren Waters and Rob Marshall were all students at Santa Ana High School in California, when a local group called The Rhythm Rockers inspired the five to form The Chantays. In December 1962, the group recorded and released "Pipeline", which eventually peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1963. The track also peaked in the UK Singles Chart in 1963 at #16.The Chantays recorded their first album in 1963, also entitled Pipeline, which included "Blunderbus" and "El Conquistador". Their follow-up album was Two Sides of The Chantays in 1964.
The Chantays toured Japan and the US joining the Righteous Brothers and Roy Orbison on a few occasions, and they were the only rock and roll band to perform on the Lawrence Welk Show.
"Pipeline" (published as sheet music in 1962 by Downey Music Publishing) has become a standard surf rock hit.[citation needed] The tune has since been covered by Lawrence Welk himself (on the Dot album Scarlet O'Hara), Al Caiola (United Artists - Album "Greasy Kid Stuff"), The Ventures, Agent Orange, Hank Marvin, Lively Ones. Dick Dale with the help of Stevie Ray Vaughan (Grammy Nominated), by thrash metal band Anthrax, Bad Manners, and also by Johnny Thunders. "Pipeline" has also been featured in many films, television programs and commercials. It also appears on numerous compilation albums.
The Chantays have been honored for their contributions to music. Some of the highlights include being honored on April 12, 1996 by Hollywood's Rock Walk, that was founded to honor individuals and bands that have made lasting and important contributions to music. The Chantays have also been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. "Pipeline" is listed as one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Along with Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers and Diane Keaton, The Chantays were honored by the City of Santa Ana, California and Santa Ana High School when they named a street after them, Chantays Way. OC Weekly Magazine also named The Chantays as one of the Best Orange County Bands.
Today, the Chantays are still playing. The band's original members Bob Spickard, Brian Carman and Bob Welch are joined by long time members Gil Orr, Ricky Lewis and Brian Nussle. The Chantays have recorded two new albums: The Next Set (live recording) and Waiting for the Tide. Some of the tracks included new songs "Crystal T" and "Killer Dana", along with remakes of "Pipeline", "El Conquistador" and "Blunderbus".
The Lonesome Road
The Chantays Lyrics
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Before you travel on.
Look down, look down that lonesome road
Before you travel on.
Look up, look up and greet your maker,
For Gabriel blows his horn.
Travelin' down that lonesome road,
Look down, look down that lonesome road
Before you travel on.
Weary totin', it's such a load,
Whike I'm travelin' down, travelin' down that lonesome old road,
Look down, look down that lonesome road
Before you travel on.
"The Lonesome Road" by The Chantays is a classic song that speaks to the human condition of loneliness, sadness, and hardship. The opening lines say, "Look down, look down that lonesome road, before you travel on," which is a call to take a moment to reflect on one's life and the journey ahead. The singer is urging the listener to be mindful of the path they choose to take and to be prepared for the obstacles that may arise. The line "look up, look up and greet your maker, for Gabriel blows his horn" offers a sense of spirituality and suggests that one should embrace their faith to help guide them on their journey.
The next lines, "Weary, totin' such a load, travelin' down that lonesome road," emphasize the heavy burden that we sometimes carry through life. The repetition of "look down, look down that lonesome road" reinforces the idea that we must take the time to reflect on our lives and be present in the moment. The final lines "while I'm travelin' down, travelin' down that lonesome old road, look down, look down that lonesome road, before you travel on" bring the song full circle, reminding us that life is a journey, and we must be aware of our surroundings and choices before we move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Look down, look down that lonesome road
Before continuing on your journey, take a moment to reflect on the difficult and perhaps desolate path ahead.
Before you travel on.
It is important to consider the struggles and hardships that may lay ahead before proceeding forward.
Weary, totin' such a load,
Feeling fatigued and burdened with the weight of responsibilities and challenges, one journeys forward.
Travelin' down that lonesome road,
Moving forward on a solitary path of hardship and perhaps isolation.
Look up, look up and greet your maker,
Take time to acknowledge and connect with a higher power or spiritual belief system in order to find hope and strength on the difficult journey.
For Gabriel blows his horn.
The sounding of an angelic trumpet, representing a call to a higher purpose or a sign of impending change.
Look down, look down that lonesome road
Continuing to emphasize the importance of acknowledging and preparing oneself for the difficult journey ahead.
Before you travel on.
Reiterating the need to carefully consider and prepare for the hardships of continuing forward on the journey ahead.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, NATHANIEL SHILKRET MUSIC CO.
Written by: Gene Austin, Nathaniel Shilkret
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind