As the band has evolved over the years, perfecting its patented “Beatles-meets-Bakersfield” sound, The Derailers have always looked to Owens and his band, the Buckaroos, for inspiration. Their love and respect for the music Owens made is as unabashed and real as the performances that are captured on this special album. Well-loved standards like “I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail,” “Cryin’ Time” and “Together Again” are delivered fresh, and the band dusts off lesser-known Owens songs like “Down On the Corner of Love” and “Who’s’ Gonna Mow Your Grass” with passion-fueled versions that do the Buckaroos proud.
The band met their hero in 1995, performing at a Buck Owen’s birthday celebration in Austin, TX. Owens was visibly touched by the extent to which The Derailers honored him with their faithful adherence to the sound he created. He invited the band to come and play his club in Bakersfield, California, the Crystal Palace, and thus began their musical relationship. And it was Buck who personally asked The Derailers to be the house band for his 70th Birthday Bash in 1999. Buck stood up and cheered for them in front of all in attendance: his friends and family, as well as his business and musical associates - including a reunion of the classic Buckaroos line-up. The back cover photo of Under the Influence of Buck holds the image of Buck looking on with pride at the band who carries on in his footsteps. It is clear that Buck gave the group his genuine seal of approval.
“Over the years, we talked to him extensively about music, what he had done and what we were trying to accomplish,” says The Derailers leader Brian Hofeldt. “He offered insight and sympathy for what we had ahead of us, and most importantly, encouragement. He put his money where his mouth was and continued to book us in his club and get together with us whenever we came through Bakersfield. It was an honor to be recognized and boosted by a man who was our musical hero and the times we had to spend with Buck are cherished memories.”
The road to Under the Influence wasn’t without its bumps and potholes. After signing with Palo Duro Records and touring behind their critically acclaimed 2006 release, Soldiers of Love, Derailers frontman Brian Hofeldt survived a run-in with a drunk driver (Brian’s fine!) and the theft of his beloved vintage guitar (it’s been recovered!).
The tireless energy of a seasoned Derailers lineup – including pedal steel guitarist Chris Schlotzhauer and keyboardist Sweet Basil McJagger – together with these Owens’ classics makes for a potent mix and a meant-to-be musical moment. These songs haven’t sounded so contemporary since the day they were first released. From the album’s opening track, “Foolin’ Around,” to “Big in Vegas,” the mournful track that closes this remarkable collection, Under the Influence of Buck is a loving look back and a natural step forward for one of the coolest bands around.
Before You Go
The Derailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you say you ain't never coming back
That you're sick and tired of how I'm doing
And you're gonna head off down the track
But darlin' before you go be sure you know how much I love you
And that I'm sorry for the quarrel that we had
If you leave you're gonna tear my world to pieces
Oh, your wounded pride has blinded your reason
And right now you wanna to hurt me if you can
The man is waiting here to take you to the station
And you're leaving with your ticket in your hand
But darlin' before you go be sure you know how much I love you
And that I'm sorry for the quarrel that we had
If you leave you're gonna tear my world to pieces
So take it slow, be sure you know before you go
The Derailers’ song “Before You Go” depicts a man pleading with his lover not to leave him. He acknowledges that they had a quarrel and asks for her forgiveness while also emphasizing how much he loves her. The man believes that the woman’s pride has blinded her reason, and she is leaving with the intention of hurting him. He advises her to take it slow and be sure of her decision before leaving for good.
The lyrics reveal the man’s vulnerability and desperation in trying to save the relationship. He is clearly hurt by the woman's decision to leave, but instead of lashing out in anger, he asks for her to give him a chance to make things right. He admits that he made a mistake and asks for forgiveness. The song’s melody is upbeat, which adds to the contrast between the bittersweet lyrics and the positive tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you say that you're goin' away and leavin' me
You mentioned that you want to leave and abandon me
And you say you ain't never coming back
You proclaimed that you'll never return
That you're sick and tired of how I'm doing
You're exhausted and fed up with how I conduct myself
And you're gonna head off down the track
You're planning to depart and move on with your life
But darlin' before you go be sure you know how much I love you
My dearest, before you depart, be certain that you recognize how much I cherish you
And that I'm sorry for the quarrel that we had
I apologize for the argument we had that led to this situation
If you leave you're gonna tear my world to pieces
Your departure will shatter my whole world
So take it slow, be sure you know before you go
Please don't rush, make sure you're completely aware of the consequences before you leave
Oh, your wounded pride has blinded your reason
Your bruised ego has clouded your judgement
And right now you wanna to hurt me if you can
Currently, you have a desire to cause me pain if possible
The man is waiting here to take you to the station
The gentleman whom you arranged with is present to transport you to your destination
And you're leaving with your ticket in your hand
You're departing while holding your ticket
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LYLE D. MAYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Eberhardt
on Bad, Bad Girl
It was a cold cold day in a Louisiana town
I was back from the army just a driftin’ around
I had my eyes wide open
And a pocket full of hard earned pay
Well I went into a honkytonk a later that night
Saw a foxy little lady who was a lookin’ just right
Thought I heard a little voice
telling me to run the other way
She was a bad bad girl
and I’ve been all Around this world
I’ve seen a lot of women but
I’ve never met the likes of her
Well somehow I never can resist her charms
I let her walk over me
then let her back in my arms
And this is one of the last times
I’m ever doing that for sure
Well what I didn’t know
cause I hadn’t learned yet
Was a man she didn’t Like
This girl had never met
And everybody seemed to know
Everything about her but me
And I never would have guessed
but I learned Real quick
The way she really wasn’t was I wasn’t gonna fix
I was just a man and
boy she was somethin’ to see
She was a bad bad girl
and I’ve been all Around this world
I’ve seen a lot of women but
I’ve never met the likes of her
Well somehow I never can resist her charms
I let her walk over me
then let her back in my arms
And this is one of the last times
I’m ever doing that for sure
She gets a little black dress
marked for the Occasion
Whenever she wants
To extend an invitation
To a man on the prowl
So she never has to spend the night alone
She gets a wandering eye
And a mind that’s naughty
Makes a truck driving man
Look-a-like a home body
And if I don’t forget her
Well it’s nobody’s fault but my own
She was a bad bad girl
and I’ve been all Around this world
I’ve seen a lot of women but
I’ve never met the likes of her
Well somehow I never can resist her charms
I let her walk over me
then let her back in my arms
And this is one of the last times
I’m ever doing that for sure
Yea this is one of the last times
I’m ever doing that for sure!