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".
Wyld Unknown
The Judds Lyrics
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You can find it in the checkout line
They say I got husbands a-leavin', boyfriends a-callin'
And problems that ain't even mine
Well all that trash don't bother me none
It's all just part of the game
I'm just a good-hearted down-home country girl
And you all know my name
And I love being at home
But if you wanna get right into my heart
Take a left at the wyld unknown
They wyld unknown
You don't wanna cross my little mama
And you sure don't wanna mess with me
'Cause there's a wild streak running down from the roots
To the top of my family tree
I'm a woman of passion, a woman of faith
As honest as I can be
To tell you the truth, I'm bulletproof
So take your best shot at me
I like to ride, I need my space
And I love being at home
But if you wanna get right into my heart
Take a left at the wyld unknown
Left at the wyld unknown
The wy-ld un-known
I'll show you somethin that
You ain't never been shown
Whenever trouble finds me
I always take my share of the blame
I'm the kind of girl, who can rock your world
Or love you like a hurricane
I'm a woman of passion, a woman of faith
As honest as I can be
To tell you the truth, I'm bulletproof
So take your best shot at me
I like to ride, I need my space
And I love being at home
But if you wanna get right into my heart
Take a left at the wyld unknown, yeah
I'll take you there
Left at the wyld unknown
The Judds’ “Wyld Unknown” is a song that praises a woman who’s fiercely independent and has a wild streak. The lyrics speak to the way society often tries to box women in, but this woman refuses to conform. She’s learned to ignore the “trash” that’s spread about her and not let it affect her. She’s a “good-hearted down-home country girl” who enjoys riding and having her own space, yet she’s not afraid to love deeply and take risks. The “wyld unknown” is symbolic of the wild side of her nature which is irresistible to those who seek it.
When the woman declares that “you don’t wanna cross my little mama and you sure don’t wanna mess with me,” we understand that she comes from a long line of strong women. Throughout history, women who’ve dared to be different and challenge the status quo have been ostracized, but this woman isn't affected by it. She’s too strong and too smart to let society bring her down. This song is a tribute to strong women who will not be held down by societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody read about it
People talk and gossip about me all the time
You can find it in the checkout line
People can easily find rumors about me in newspapers or tabloids
They say I got husbands a-leavin', boyfriends a-callin'
Rumors claim that I have relationship issues
And problems that ain't even mine
Rumors spread fake information about me having problems that I do not actually have
Well all that trash don't bother me none
I am not affected by what others say about me
It's all just part of the game
I accept that media attention and rumors are just a part of my life
I'm just a good-hearted down-home country girl
Despite rumors and media attention, I am a kind and genuine person
And you all know my name
I am a well-known public figure
I like to ride, I need my space
I enjoy my independence and alone time
And I love being at home
I am also content being in my own space
But if you wanna get right into my heart
To really get to know me deeply
Take a left at the wyld unknown
Explore the depths of my wild and unpredictable nature
They wyld unknown
That part of me that is untamed and unpredictable
You don't wanna cross my little mama
Do not mess with my family
And you sure don't wanna mess with me
But also be careful not to cross me, because I am tough
'Cause there's a wild streak running down from the roots
My wild nature is deeply ingrained in my family history
To the top of my family tree
My whole family possesses this wild nature
I'm a woman of passion, a woman of faith
I am deeply emotional and have strong beliefs
As honest as I can be
I always strive to be truthful
To tell you the truth, I'm bulletproof
I am strong and resilient
So take your best shot at me
You can try to harm me, but it won't work
I'll show you somethin that | You ain't never been shown
I will reveal to you a new side of myself that nobody has ever seen before
Whenever trouble finds me
When problems come my way
I always take my share of the blame
I take responsibility for my part in the issue at hand
I'm the kind of girl, who can rock your world
I am capable of making a strong impression on someone
Or love you like a hurricane
Or I can also love you with a strong and intense passion
I'll take you there
I will guide you towards my true self
Left at the wyld unknown
By exploring my wild side, you will find a deeper connection with me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLIFF DOWNS, DAVID PACK, DAVID ROBERT PACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind