The band's best-known song was a 1970 cover of Jerry Jeff Walker's folk song "Mr. Bojangles". Their greatest critical acclaim has been for a 1972 album of country and folk standards, recorded in Nashville in collaboration with more traditional country artists, entitled "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".
"Will the Circle be Unbroken" was a collaboration album recorded in 1972 by the Dirt band with traditional artists such as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Merle Watson, Jimmy Martin, Junior Huskey, Norman Blake, and Pete Oswald Kirby (known to Grand Ole Opry fans as Bashful Brother Oswald). Vassar Clements, not widely known then, was tapped for fiddle duties which led to greater notoriety and success for him.
"Will the Circle be Unbroken" featured classic bluegrass and folk standards written by A.P Carter, Doc Watson and others. The title comes from the song of the same name but indicates what the Dirt Band was trying to achieve. The long-haired boys from California were making an effort to reach out to the older veterans of American music and unite them in a divided America. Two other editions were released, one in the 1980s and another after September 11, 2001.
In July 1974 The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was one of the headline acts at The Ozark Music Festival, at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, in Sedalia, Missouri. Some estimates have put the crowd count at 350,000 people, which would make this one of the largest music events in history.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's peak in popularity – at least on the radio — came during the mid- to late-1980s, when they charted a string of successful songs. Among the lot were three No. 1 singles: "Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)" (1984); "Modern Day Romance" (1985); and "Fishin' in the Dark" (1987). Other successful songs were "Dance Little Jean" (1983); "I Love Only You" (1984); "High Horse" (1985); "Home Again in My Heart," "Partners, Brothers and Friends" and "Stand a Little Rain" (1986); "Fire in the Sky," "Baby's Got a Hold on Me" and "Oh What a Love" (1987); "Working Man (Nowhere to Go)" and "I've Been Lookin'" (1988); and "Down That Road Tonight" and "When it's Gone" (1989).
The current members are:
* Bob Carpenter - keyboard, accordion, bass, and vocals (1977-present)
* Jimmie Fadden - drums, harmonica,guitar, washtub bass, jug and vocals (1966-present)
* Jeff Hanna - guitar, mandolin, drums, harmonica, bass, washboard, jug and vocals (1966-present)
* John McEuen - banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion washtub bass and vocals (1966-1986 & 2001-present)
Former members:
* Ralph Barr - guitar, clarinet and vocals (1966-1968)
* Merel Bregante - drums and percussion (1977-1979)
* Jackson Browne - guitar and vocals (1966)
* John Cable - guitar, bass and vocals (1976-1977)
* Jackie Clark - guitar, bass and vocals (1976-1977)
* Chris Darrow - fiddle, guitar, mandolin and vocals (1967-1968)
* Michael Gardner - drums (1980-1981)
* Al Garth - saxophone, fiddle, keyboard, percussion and vocals (1977-1981)
* Richard Hathaway - bass and vocals (1977-1981)
* Jimmy Ibbotson - guitar, bass, mandolin, piano, accordion, drums, flute and vocals (1968-1975 & 1982-2004)
* Bruce Kunkel - guitar, kazoo, vocals (1966-1967)
* Bernie Leadon - guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals (1987-1989)
* Vic Mastrianni - drums (1980-1981)
* Les Thompson - guitar, bass, mandolin and vocals (1966-1973)
Earthquake
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A real good steady job
A house up on the hillside
Who's price keeps goin' up
Soakin' in my hot tub
Life's working out just right
But then the earth starts shakin'
Here comes the afterlife
Earthquake, Earthquake
Ridin' hell's emotion
That earthquake, earthquake
Churning up the fear
That earthquake, earthquake
Devil's loco-motion
That earthquake, earthquake
Gonna run me outta here
There's no head on this chicken
When the ground is on the rise
I flee in all directions
And I pray toward the skies
I've Never been a coward
Or that extremely wise
But it doesn't take a genius
T' know it's time t' say goodbye
Earthquake, Earthquake
Ridin' hell's emotion
That earthquake, earthquake
Churning up the fear
That earthquake, earthquake
The devil's loco-motion
That earthquake, earthquake
Gonna run me outta here
I'm packin' up and goin' to north dakota
Well I heard it's freezing cold but I don't care
I'd rather get that frostbite on my fingers
Than end up crushed beneath my fridgidaire
So.... forgive me if I'm out of sorts
I'm really not to blame
The fault lies with Andreas
Oh she's messin' up my brain
I love this sunny paradise
But hate it's rock and roll
Oh I can't stand the ups and downs
I really gotta go
Earthquake, Earthquake
Ridin' hell's emotion
That earthquake, earthquake
Churning up the fear
That earthquake, earthquake
Devil's loco-motion
That earthquake, earthquake
Gonna run me outta here
That earthquake, earthquake
That earthquake, earthquake
Earthquake, earthquake
That earthquake, earthquake
Oh I'm Gettin' out of here
That earthquake, that earthquake
That earthquake, Oh I'm getting out of here
That earthquake, Bye bye bye bye
That earthquake, Oh I'm going out of here
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Earthquake" is a song about a man who has finally found contentment in his life - a good job, a beautiful home, and a loving partner. However, just as he thinks everything is going smoothly, an earthquake strikes and shatters his world. The song describes the man's fear and panic as he experiences the earthquake's force, and the decision he makes to leave the area for a safer place.
The lyrics of "Earthquake" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the unpredictability of life. Even when things seem to be going well, unexpected events can happen that can shake our foundations and force us to reevaluate our priorities. The earthquake in the song is a powerful symbol of this idea, representing the sudden and unstoppable forces that can upend our lives.
At its core, "Earthquake" is a song about change and the need to adapt to new circumstances. The lyrics capture the fear and uncertainty that come with a major life upheaval, but they also express the sense of liberation that can come with embracing these changes and starting anew.
Line by Line Meaning
I got myself a sweetheart
I am in a romantic relationship
A real good steady job
I have stable employment
A house up on the hillside
I own a home with an elevated location
Who's price keeps goin' up
The value of my house is increasing
Soakin' in my hot tub
I am relaxing in a heated pool
Life's working out just right
I am content with my current situation
But then the earth starts shakin'
An earthquake occurs
Here comes the afterlife
I fear for my life
Earthquake, Earthquake
Repeated reference to the natural disaster
Ridin' hell's emotion
The earthquake is frightening and intense
Churning up the fear
The earthquake is causing anxiety
Devil's loco-motion
The earthquake feels like a malevolent force
Gonna run me outta here
I am planning on leaving this location due to the earthquake
There's no head on this chicken
I am scared and indecisive
When the ground is on the rise
During an earthquake when the ground is moving
I flee in all directions
I panic and run erratically
And I pray toward the skies
I am hoping for divine intervention
I've Never been a coward
I do not usually avoid danger
Or that extremely wise
I am not particularly intelligent
But it doesn't take a genius
It is obvious to me
T' know it's time t' say goodbye
It is time for me to leave
I'm packin' up and goin' to north dakota
I am moving to North Dakota
Well I heard it's freezing cold but I don't care
The cold weather does not bother me
I'd rather get that frostbite on my fingers
I prefer dealing with cold weather to being crushed by debris in an earthquake
Than end up crushed beneath my fridgidaire
I do not want to be harmed by a falling refrigerator caused by the earthquake
So.... forgive me if I'm out of sorts
I apologize if my behavior seems erratic
I'm really not to blame
I am not responsible for the earthquake
The fault lies with Andreas
A reference to the San Andreas Fault that causes earthquakes in California
Oh she's messin' up my brain
The earthquake is causing me stress
I love this sunny paradise
I appreciate the weather in California
But hate it's rock and roll
I dislike the earthquakes that come with living in California
Oh I can't stand the ups and downs
I cannot tolerate the unpredictability of earthquakes
I really gotta go
I need to leave California for a safer location
Bye bye bye bye
A final farewell to California
Oh I'm going out of here
I am leaving the state
Contributed by Scarlett P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.