When Naomi Judd found herself pregnant, she quickly got married but not to the father of her first child, daughter Christina Ciminella. Christina, born May 30, 1964, became known as Wynonna Judd when the mother-daughter duo stormed the country charts in the 1980s.
After Naomi Judd divorced, she moved from Hollywood, back to Morrill, Ky., with Wynonna and another daughter Ashley. There, she worked as a nurse in a local infirmary. Outside working and school hours, she and the children would sing anything from bluegrass to showbiz standards for their own amusement. However, when Wynonna nurtured aspirations to be a professional entertainer, her mother lent her encouragement, to the extent of moving the family to Nashville in 1979. Naomi's contralto subtly underlined Wynonna's tuneful drawl.
In addition to many performances on Ralph Emery's morning television show, Naomi elicited an audition for RCA Records while tending a hospitalized relation of label producer Brent Maher. With a past that read like a Judith Krantz novel, the Judds -- so the executives considered -- would have more than an even chance in the country market. An exploratory mini-album, which contained proved the executives correct. The single "Had a Dream (From the Heart)" peaked at No. 17 in 1984. Later that year, the Judds scored their first of 14 No. 1 hits with "Mama He's Crazy."
Self-composed songs included Naomi's 1989 composition "Change of Heart," dedicated to her future second husband (and former Elvis Presley backing vocalist) Larry Strickland. Meanwhile, Maher co-wrote hits such as 1985's Grammy-winning "Why Not Me," "Turn It Loose," "Girls Night Out," "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Ol' Days)" and "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain."
Most Judds records exhibited an acoustic bias and a penchant for star guests that included the Jordanaires on "Don't Be Cruel," Emmylou Harris on "The Sweetest Gift," Mark Knopfler on his "Water of Love" and Bonnie Raitt playing slide guitar on the album Love Can Build a Bridge. In 1988, the pair became the first female country act to found their own booking agency (Pro-Tours), but a chronic hepatitis infection forced Naomi to retire from the concert stage two years later.
The Judds toured America in a series of farewell concerts before Wynonna began her solo career. Wynonna got off to a strong start, as her first two singles both went to #1. Her 1994 single "Girls With Guitars" featured Naomi (as well as Lyle Lovett) on backup vocals.
In 1998, The Judds appeared in a commercial for the retail chain Kmart, singing Wynonna's single "Woman To Woman".
In 1999, Wynonna reunited with her mother for a New Year's Eve concert in Phoenix. The following year, the duo recorded four new tracks for a bonus disc issued with Wynonna's album New Day Dawning, and undertook a multi-city tour. The results were issued as the album Reunion Live. A 2004 single, "Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)" was recorded with Naomi; however, the single was credited as "Wynonna with Naomi Judd" instead of "The Judds".
Turn It Loose
The Judds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when the boys start rockin'
There's a beat that you just can't lose
Where it's gonna take us nobody knows
It sure feels good to the body and soul
[Chorus]
I love the slide of a steal guitar
I love the shake of a tambourine
I love the bass when it's low and mean
So put on your shoutin' shoes
And turn it loose
Turn it loose
You feel like dancin'
And you just can't stay in your seat
Your knees start knockin'
And you can't help stompin' your feet
Before you even know it you'll be singin' a long
Makes me want to stay hear all night long
[Chorus]
Turn it loose
Everybody put on your shoutin' shoes and turn it loose
Grab your shoutin' shoes and turn it loose
In "Turn It Loose," The Judds describe their love for country and rhythm and blues music. The song highlights the power of music to unite people and make them dance together, regardless of their differences. The opening lines of the song suggest that the blend of country and rhythm and blues creates a unique sound that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The Judds sing about the energy of live music and how it gets people dancing and singing along. They describe the joy of feeling the music in your body and your soul.
The chorus is a celebration of different instruments and their unique roles in creating a full sound. The Judds express their love for the slide guitar, the blues harp, the tambourine, and the bass. They recognize the significance of these instruments in creating the beat that makes people want to dance. The chorus is an invitation to everyone to put on their "shoutin' shoes" and join the party. The Judds bring the song to a rousing conclusion, encouraging everyone to "turn it loose" and let the music take them away.
Overall, "Turn It Loose" is a song that celebrates the power of music to bring people together and create a joyful experience. It's a catchy and uplifting tune that showcases The Judds's unique blend of country and rhythm and blues.
Line by Line Meaning
Some call it country with a little bit of rhythm and blues
This kind of music has a mix of country and rhythm and blues influences, and some people refer to it as such.
And when the boys start rockin'
When the musicians start playing with great energy and enthusiasm...
There's a beat that you just can't lose
...there's a strong, irresistible rhythm that gets everyone moving.
Where it's gonna take us nobody knows
There's no telling exactly how this music will make us feel and where it will take us emotionally and physically.
It sure feels good to the body and soul
But one thing's for sure - this music is a truly enjoyable experience for both the physical and emotional parts of us.
I love the slide of a steel guitar
Personally, I find the sound of a steel guitar sliding between notes to be a really wonderful aspect of this music.
I love the moan of an old blues harp
Similarly, the sound of an old-style harmonica playing some bluesy notes creates a very emotional and appealing feeling for me.
I love the shake of a tambourine
Another instrument that adds a really great rhythmic quality is the tambourine, with its distinctive shaking sound that you can't help but move to.
I love the bass when it's low and mean
Finally, a driving, low and expressive bass line is another aspect of this music that I really get into and enjoy.
So put on your shoutin' shoes
Given how energizing and fun this music can be, you might as well get excited and put on some shoes that let you move and express yourself freely...
And turn it loose
...because there's a feeling of freedom and unrestrained enjoyment that comes from letting yourself fully immerse in the music.
You feel like dancin'
Once the music really gets going, it's hard not to feel like getting up and dancing!
And you just can't stay in your seat
Indeed, the beat is so contagious and exciting that you'll quickly realize you need to stand up and move around.
Your knees start knockin'
It might even be impossible to sit still anymore, as your body starts responding to the music with excitement and trembling anticipation.
And you can't help stompin' your feet
Before you know it, you'll be tapping and stomping along with the rhythm, feeling more and more alive and engaged.
Before you even know it you'll be singin' a long
And if you're really getting into it, you might even start singing along with the lyrics without realizing it - who can resist the urge to join in with the music?
Makes me want to stay hear all night long
In fact, the experience of listening and dancing to this music can be so thrilling and engaging that it feels like it's impossible to ever get enough of it, and you might just want it to go on all night!
Grab your shoutin' shoes and turn it loose
So, with your special shoes ready and your energy and enthusiasm rising, it's time to let yourself go fully and completely and enjoy the experience of the music without any self-consciousness or hesitation. Let's do this!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CRAIG BICKHARDT, BRENT MAHER, DON SCHLITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Glenn Selby
Thanks so much for posting this. I have an interesting connection to this broadcast from 1987. From 1985-1987 I had the privileged while attending Belmont University, to work for Bill Walker. Bill wrote and conducted all the orchestra arrangements for the CMA and ACM award shows back then (and his wife Jeanine walker sang back up), so I would assist Bill at the rehearsals, recordings, and broadcasts. For the 1987 CMAs, there was a production for the Judds song "Turn It Lose" that needed 3 "harmonica players" to be out in the audience while the real player was near the stage. They asked Bill if he could spare some orchestra members but instead Bill asked me to get 3 guys and take care of it.So I did. If you watch carefully at time point 1:49 you'll see a long haired college kid, me (Glenn Selby) , doing his best to fake the harmonic part. The other two are my friends Don Freeman and Arnold Oneal.
Ruth Stewart
What a geat song!