Composed primarily of transplants to the Seattle area, The Head and the Heart write and play songs that speak to the newness of a fresh start, of the ghosts left behind, of moving forward, all brimming with a soulfulness and hope for a better life than the one we've all been sold.
Stylistically, think a folksy Beatles or The Avett Brothers with a little extra oomph. Catchy piano melodies stand side by side with a tight trio of harmonies, and solid minimalist drums, groovin' bass, and plenty of hand percussion and foot stomps make the live show inspiring and really goddamn fun.
After the band self-released its eponymous debut album in June 2010, the emblematic Seattle label Sub Pop re-released the album. For the Sub Pop version, the song “Sounds like Hallelujah” has been re-recorded, live favorite “Rivers and Roads” has been added, and the album has been re-mastered.
The band's second album "Let's Be Still" was released on October 15, 2013.
The band released their third studio album, "Signs of Light", in September 2016.
The band's fourth album, "Living Mirage", was released in May 2019.
Band member Josiah Johnson released his debut solo album, "Every Feeling On a Loop", in September 2020.
Down In The Valley
The Head and the Heart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like ridin' around on railcars and workin' long days
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
Call it one drink too many
Call it pride of a man
'Cause they both end in trouble and start with a grin
Yeah they both end in trouble and start with a grin
We do it over and over and over again
We do it over and over and over again
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
I know there's California, Oklahoma
And all of the places I ain't ever been to but
Down in the valley with whiskey rivers
These are the places you will find me hidin'
These are the places I will always go
These are the places I will always go
I am on my way
I am on my way
I am on my way back to where I started
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh (One more for the stars and the eyes of the walls)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (I hear your name)
Oh-oh
I saw your face in the crowd and you came out
You saw me walkin'
You got a sign on the door and it reads to me
Just like the grass and the sun and the water
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
I am on my way
I am on my way
I am on my way back to where I started
California, Oklahoma
And all of the places I ain't ever been to
Down in the valley with whiskey rivers
These are the places you will find me hidin'
These are the places I will always go
These are the places I will always go
So I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
In Down In The Valley, The Head and the Heart sing about the desire to escape modern urban life and return to a simpler existence. The lyrics express a longing for a time when life was more physical and grounded, with references to an "age-old trade" that involves "ridin' around on railcars and workin' long days." The singer of the song feels lost and adrift in the modern world, struggling with "rough and rowdy ways" that are both a source of pride and a cause of trouble. The chorus emphasizes the cyclical nature of these struggles, as the singer finds himself repeating the same patterns of behavior "over and over and over again."
The song's themes of escape and nostalgia are underscored by its musical style, which draws heavily on folk and Americana traditions. Acoustic guitar, mandolin, and harmonica are all prominent in the mix, giving the track a distinctly rustic feel. The choruses of "oh-oh" vocals that punctuate the verses add to the song's anthemic quality, creating a sense of communal longing for a simpler, more authentic way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade
I long for a simpler life, where I could work a traditional job such as riding railcars and toiling all day long.
Like ridin' around on railcars and workin' long days
Similar to a job that's been around for generations, like flipping burgers or mowing lawns.
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
I ask the Lord for forgiveness for my wild and reckless behavior.
Call it one drink too many
Maybe it was just one too many drinks that led to my current state.
Call it pride of a man
As a man, perhaps my sense of pride got the better of me.
But it don't make no difference if you sit or you stand
It doesn't really matter whether you stand up for something or just sit by and do nothing.
'Cause they both end in trouble and start with a grin
Either way, both choices can lead to problems and often begin with a sense of happiness or excitement.
We do it over and over and over again
Despite knowing the consequences, we continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.
I know there's California, Oklahoma
I'm aware that there are many places I haven't been to, such as California or Oklahoma.
And all of the places I ain't ever been to but
Despite that, there's a certain allure to the places where I always seem to end up.
Down in the valley with whiskey rivers
These are the places where I find solace - by the whiskey rivers in the valley.
These are the places you will find me hidin'
I often hide away in these places where I feel the most comfortable.
These are the places I will always go
Yet no matter where I am, these are the places that call out to me.
I am on my way
I am currently on my journey, heading back to where I first began.
One more for the stars and the eyes of the walls
This is another toast to the universe and those who watch over us.
I hear your name
I catch your name being whispered in the breeze or in the hush of silence.
I saw your face in the crowd and you came out
In a sea of faces, I finally saw you and we connected.
You saw me walkin'
You happened to notice me as I wandered through the crowds.
You got a sign on the door and it reads to me
You have posted a message or sign that speaks directly to me.
Just like the grass and the sun and the water
This message is as natural and essential as the elements of our world.
California, Oklahoma
Again, I am reminded of these places I have yet to see or experience.
And all of the places I ain't ever been to
Even with all these other unexplored locations, I still long for those whiskey rivers down in the valley.
These are the places you will find me hidin'
No matter where I am or where I end up, these are the places where I tend to seek refuge.
These are the places I will always go
Time and time again, I find myself returning to these familiar places down in the valley.
So I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade
Once again, I dream of simpler times and simpler trades, where work was straightforward and honest.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jonathan Russell, Tyler Williams, Kenny Hensley, Charity Thielen, Josiah Johnson, Chris Zasche
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hallosushant
Lyrics:
I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade
Like ridin' around on railcars and workin' long days
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
Call it one drink too many
Call it pride of a man
But it don't make no difference if you sit or you stand
'Cause they both end in trouble and start with a grin
Yeah they both end in trouble and start with a grin
We do it over and over and over again
We do it over and over and over again
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
I know there's California, Oklahoma
And all of the places I ain't ever been to but
Down in the valley with
Whiskey rivers
These are the places you will find me hidin'
These are the places I will always go
These are the places I will always go
I am on my way
I am on my way
I am on my way back to where I started
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
One more for the stars and their eyes in the walls
I hail your face and then, I saw you standing out
I saw your face in the crowd and you came out
You saw me crossing the valley and you came in
Look at the sign on the door and it reads to me
Just like the grass and the sign when you walked in
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
I am on my way
I am on my way
I am on my way back to where I started
California, Oklahoma
And all of the places I ain't ever been to but
Down in the valley with
Whiskey rivers
These are the places you will find me hidin'
These are the places I will always go
These are the places I will always go
So I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
@Maynumpetch
I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade
Like ridin' around on railcars and workin' long days
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
Call it one drink too many
Call it pride of a man
But it don't make no difference if you sit or you stand
'Cause they both end in trouble and start with a grin
Yeah they both end in trouble and start with a grin
We do it over and over and over again
We do it over and over and over again
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
I know there's California, Oklahoma
And all of the places I ain't ever been to but
Down in the valley with whiskey rivers
These are the places you will find me hidin'
These are the places I will always go
These are the places I will always go
I am on my way
I am on my way
I am on my way back to where I started
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh (One more for the stars and the eyes of the walls)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (I hear your name)
Oh-oh
I saw your face in the crowd and you came out
You saw me walkin'
You got a sign on the door and it reads to me
Just like the grass and the sun and the water
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
I am on my way
I am on my way
I am on my way back to where I started
California, Oklahoma
And all of the places I ain't ever been to
Down in the valley with whiskey rivers
These are the places you will find me hidin'
These are the places I will always go
These are the places I will always go
So I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade
Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways
@iammclovin2928
"The good doctor" brought me here, love this song
@1981bellaswan
IAMMCLOVIN me too
@sahanaraghuram3275
Me too! And 3 years later I'm still hooked.
@hardergamestarter4285
Same
@Marialourdes-qw2kx
Same :)
@brooklynburdess4252
Sameee
@ZackJ100
Once upon a time I was in a very dark place in my life and very sad. Then I found The Head and the Heart and they helped pull me back. I love this band for that.
@annacobb8066
haha lol it’s been 7 years but glad you got through it and out of that dark place, music is one of the best medicines.
@devincrocker8496
Same
@benmoser11
My friend Drew actually showed me this song. I hate to burden anyone with sadness, but I just got back from his funeral. He was 20.
Drew literally always had a bright smile. He introduced himself to everyone, he was really friendly, and he made everyone feel welcomed. He was extremely lively and free-spirited.
Every time I hear this song now, I think of the picture Drew posted to his Facebook. It's a picture of him in his hammock next to a waterfall at the lake. His favourite hangout spot. The picture describes him perfectly.