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.
Foolin' Around
The Derailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I'll take back my ring and I'll take back my heart
And when you're tired of foolin' 'round with two or three
Come on home and fool around with me
I wasn't foolin' round the day I said I do
But many a night I wished that I've been foolin' too
I know it's foolish takin' all this misery
I know that you've been foolin' 'round on me right from the start
So I'll take back my ring and I'll take back my heart
And when you're tired of foolin' 'round with two or three
Come on home and fool around with me
So honey, fool around, you'll know right where I'm at
Don't worry if I'm lonesome 'cause I'm used to that
And when you're tired of foolin' 'round with two or three
Then come on home and fool around with me
I know that you've been foolin' 'round on me right from the start
So I'll take back my ring and I'll take back my heart
And when you're tired of foolin' 'round with two or three
Come on home and fool around with me
The Derailers's song "Foolin' Around" is a classic country song about a lover's infidelity. The first verse reveals that the singer is aware of their lover's unfaithfulness from the beginning of their relationship. The chorus states that the singer will take back their ring and heart and will be waiting for their lover to return when they tire of "foolin' around" with others.
The second verse reveals the singer's own desires to have "fooled around" as well, but they remained faithful to their lover. Despite the pain and misery caused by their lover's infidelity, the singer is willing to remain a "fool" for their lover. The final verse once again invites the lover to return and "fool around" with the singer when they are ready to settle down.
The lyrics of "Foolin' Around" capture the traditional theme of infidelity and heartbreak that are often present in country music. The honesty and vulnerability in the lyrics have made the song a classic that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that you've been foolin' 'round on me right from the start
I am aware that you have been unfaithful to me since our relationship began
So I'll take back my ring and I'll take back my heart
As a result, I am ending our engagement or marriage and reclaiming the symbols of our love
And when you're tired of foolin' 'round with two or three
When you grow tired of being involved with multiple people simultaneously
Come on home and fool around with me
Please come back to me if you wish to continue this type of behavior with someone
I wasn't foolin' round the day I said I do
I was not being unfaithful when I made the commitment of marriage
But many a night I wished that I've been foolin' too
However, there were many times where I wished I was having extramarital affairs as well
I know it's foolish takin' all this misery
I realize it is foolish to continue being in a relationship where I am constantly feeling hurt and unhappy
But when it's you, a fool I'll always be
Despite this knowledge, I will always be willing to stay with you and endure the pain because of my love for you
So honey, fool around, you'll know right where I'm at
My love for you is so strong that I will be waiting for you if you choose to continue being unfaithful
Don't worry if I'm lonesome 'cause I'm used to that
You don't have to feel guilty about leaving me alone because I am already accustomed to being lonely
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, LEGACY OF HARLAN PERRY HOWARD, LLC
Written by: Buck Owens, Harlan Howard
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!