Theirs is one of the most dis… Read Full Bio ↴THE TRADITION CONTINUES ...
Theirs is one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of country hits and a #1 pop smash, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Every time they step before an audience, the Oaks bring 15 years of hits and 50 years of tradition to bear on a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere. And, each remains as enthusiastic about the process as they have ever been.
"When I go on stage, I get the same feeling I had the first time I sang with The Oak Ridge Boys," says lead singer Duane Allen. "This is the only job I've ever wanted to have."
"Like everyone else in the group," adds bass singer extraordinaire Richard Sterban, "I was a fan of the Oaks before I became a member. I'm still a fan of the group today. Being in The Oak Ridge Boys is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream."
The two, along with tenor Joe Bonsall and baritone William Lee Golden, comprise one of country's truly legendary acts. Their string of hits includes the pop chart-topper "Elvira," as well as "Bobbie Sue," "Dream On," "Thank God For Kids," "American Made," "I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes," "Fancy Free," "Gonna Take A Lot Of River" and many others. They've scored ten gold, three platinum and one double platinum album, one double platinum single, and had more than a dozen national #1 singles.
The Oaks represent a tradition that extends back to 1943, before Hank Williams had a career. The original group, based in Knoxville, TN, began performing country and gospel music in nearby Oak Ridge where the atomic bomb was being developed. They called themselves the Oak Ridge Quartet, and they began regular Grand Ole Opry appearances in the fall of '45. In the mid-'50s, they were featured in Time magazine as one of the top drawing gospel groups in the nation.
By the late '60s, with more than 30 members having come and gone, they had a lineup that included Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Noel Fox and Willie Wynn. Among the Oaks' many acquaintances in the gospel field were Bonsall, a streetwise Philadelphia kid who embraced gospel music wholeheartedly, and Sterban, who was singing in quartets and holding down a job as a men's clothing salesman. Both admired the distinctive, highly-popular Oaks.
"They were the most innovative quartet in gospel music," says Bonsall. "They performed gospel with a rock approach, had a full band, wore bell-bottom pants and grew their hair long ... things unheard of at the time."
The four became friends, and when the Oaks needed a bass and tenor, in '72 and '73 respectively, Sterban and Bonsall got the calls. The group remained a highly popular mainstay on the gospel circuit, and it was there they refined the strengths that would soon make them such an across-the-board attraction.
"We did a lot of package shows," said Bonsall, "and there was an incredible amount of competition. You had to blow people away to sell records and get invited back."
Their gospel sound had a distinct pop edge to it, and while it made for excitement and popularity, it also ruffled purist feathers and left promoters unsure about the Oaks' direction. Then, in 1975, the Oaks were booked to open a number of dates for Roy Clark, whose manager was floored by their abilities.
"He came backstage and told us we were three-and-a-half minutes ' meaning one hit record ' away from being a major act," says Bonsall. "He said we had one of the most dynamic stage shows he'd ever seen, but that we had to start singing country songs."
They took his advice, and the result was a breakthrough.
"Those who came to country music with or after the New Traditionalists of the mid-'80s cannot possibly imagine the impact the Oaks had in 1977 when they lit up the sky from horizon to horizon with "Y'All Come Back Saloon," said Billboard's Ed Morris, who added "... the vocal intensity the group brought to it instantly enriched and enlivened the perilously staid country format. These guys were exciting."
Within a year, Paul Simon would tap them to sing backup for his hit "Slip Slidin' Away," and they would go on to record with George Jones, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Roy Rogers, Billy Ray Cyrus and others. They would appear before three presidents, produce one of the first country music videos ("Easy," in 1977, which wasn't released in the U.S. but hit #3 in Australia), take part in the first headline tour of the USSR, and become one of the most enduringly-successful touring groups anywhere.
They did it with a consistently upbeat musical approach and terrific business savvy.
"We always look for songs that have lasting value and that are uplifting," says Allen. "You don't hear us singing 'cheating' or 'drinking' songs, but 'loving' songs, because we think that will last. We also don't put music in categories, except for 'good' or 'bad.' When we get through with it, it's probably going to sound like an Oak Ridge Boys song no matter what it is."
They proved their business acumen in any number of ways, including such steps as declining the chance to sit on the couch during their many appearances on the Tonight Show.
"We said, 'If you're going to give us four minutes on the couch with Johnny, we'd rather have four minutes to give you another song that lets people know what got us here,'" says Allen. "We didn't get here talking; we got here singing," They also proved themselves to be capable and tireless advocates of charitable and civic causes, serving as spokesmen and/or board members of fundraisers for the Boy Scouts of America, the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, Feed The Children, and many more.
The group's first personnel change in many years occurred in 1987 when Steve Sanders, who had been playing guitar in The Oaks Band, replaced William Lee as the baritone singer. Late in '95, Steve resigned from the Oaks and exactly one minute after midnight on New Year's Eve, Duane, Joe and Richard surprised the packed house at Holiday Star Theatre in Merrillville, IN, by welcoming William Lee on stage and back in group. The hitmakers were finally together again!
The Oaks' high-energy stage show remains the heart and soul of what they do, and they refine it several times a year, striving to keep it fresh well into the future.
"We're not willing to rest on our laurels," Golden says. "That gets boring. As a group, we do things constantly to challenge ourselves, to try to do something different or better than the last time we did it."
"I feel like I can do what I do on stage just as good now as I could 20 years ago," says Bonsall. "in fact, if anything, I'm in better shape now than I was 20 years ago. I plan to be rockin' my tail off out there as long as I'm healthy and don't look stupid doing it. The people who come out, who bring their families to see us, deserve everything I've got."
"We've experienced a lot of longevity," adds Sterban, "and I think the reason is the love we have for what we do - the desire, the longing to actually get up there and do it. We love to sing together ... to harmonize together. It's what our lives are all about."
Carry On Wayward Son
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say
Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say
Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you
Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
The lyrics to Carry on Wayward Son by The Oak Ridge Boys speak to the struggles we face in our lives and how we must persevere through them. The chorus encourages us to continue on, even when we feel weary and exhausted, for there will be peace when we have overcome our struggles. It is a message of hope and strength for those who feel lost or alone.
The first verse describes the journey of the singer, who rose above the noise and confusion of the world in order to seek clarity and understanding. However, in his pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment, he flew too high and became blinded by his own ambition. Despite his physical sight and mental acuity, he remained lost and confused until he heard the voices in his dreams calling him to carry on.
The second verse speaks to the façade of wisdom that we often present to the world, as we try to navigate the complexities of life. The singer compares himself to a ship on a stormy sea, tossed about by the forces of life, and trying to set a course towards success and fulfillment. However, the voices in his head remind him that he still has much to learn, and that he must continue on his journey.
Overall, Carry on Wayward Son is a powerful reminder that we must remain steadfast in our pursuits, even when the path seems uncertain or the destination unclear. It is a message of hope and encouragement for those who are struggling, and a reminder that perseverance and determination are key to achieving our goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Carry on my wayward son,
Continue on your journey, my lost child,
For there'll be peace when you are done
You will find peace when you have completed your journey,
Lay your weary head to rest
Allow yourself to rest and recuperate,
Don't you cry no more
Do not despair or worry,
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
I struggled to rise above the chaos and uncertainty of life,
Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
In an attempt to see the true reality,
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
I tried to achieve great heights but ended up going too far,
Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Despite having a clear vision, I was still ignorant and naive,
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
Even with my intelligence, I was not fully sane,
I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say
I am haunted by the words of others even in my dreams,
Masquerading as a man with a reason
Pretending to have a purpose and direction,
My charade is the event of the season
My deception is the talk of the town,
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know
Being seen as wise only indicates my lack of knowledge and understanding,
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Navigating through a sea of turbulent emotions,
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
Thrown about like a ship during a storm,
I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say
I aimed for success and wealth, but am still tormented by others' words,
Carry on, you will always remember
Continue on, remember to persevere,
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
There is nothing more magnificent than continuing on your path,
Now your life's no longer empty
Your life is now filled with purpose and direction,
Surely heaven waits for you
You will be rewarded in the afterlife for your struggles and perseverance,
Carry on my wayward son,
Continue on your journey, my lost child,
For there'll be peace when you are done
You will find peace when you have completed your journey,
Lay your weary head to rest
Allow yourself to rest and recuperate,
Don't you cry no more
Do not despair or worry,
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kerry Livgren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pbailey232
I am a long time Kansas fan AND a long time fan of the ORB too and I was very impressed w their rendition of this rock classic. I can tell they took this song seriously. Thx guys for your take on this song!!!
@wisconsinjohnson3134
Wow. I love running into stuff I've never heard. Awesome cover very well done by an awesome band!!!!
@brandonriggs1788
One of my musical heroes performing a song I love! Amazing! Love the sound!
@serendipityshopnyc
That is a VERY creditable cover of a stone classic!
@Stubbum
Thanks 2006 High Timmy
@judi6078
(picks jaw up off the floor) WOW!
@kanteannightmare
If this doesn't make it as the soundtrack to a western I'll be disappointed in the Hollywood machine…
@johnnotgalt2697
Awesome cover of the classic by Kansas!!
@green_bay_cheesehead1248
They almost made it sound more classic than Kansas
@johnnotgalt2697
Green_Bay_Cheesehead12
Thanks! indeed, they should do more of their own takes on rock songs!!