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."
Seven Nation Army
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back.
And I'm talking to myself at night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
Say leave it alone.
Don't want to hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell.
And if I catch it coming back my way
I'm gonna serve it to you
And that ain't what you want to hear
But that's what I'll do.
And the feeling coming from my bones
Say find a home.
I'm going to Wichita
Far from this opera for evermore
I'm gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore.
And I'm bleeding', and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding'
Right before the Lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will sing no more.
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me go back home.
The Oak Ridge Boys's song "Seven Nation Army" is an interesting take on the idea of fighting and not giving up in the face of adversity. The lyrics are very metaphorical and suggest that the singer is fighting against something much larger than himself - a "seven nation army." The line "They're gonna rip it off, taking their time right behind my back" seems to suggest that there are forces working against the singer, and they are not in any hurry to give up.
The song goes on to talk about how the singer is talking to himself at night because he cannot forget what he is fighting against. He mentions going back and forth, and the message that he gets from his eyes is to "leave it alone." He then says that he does not want to hear about it and that everyone has a story to tell.
The chorus comes back, and the singer repeats that he is going to fight and that he cannot be held back. He says that if the thing he is fighting does come back his way, he will "serve it to you." The feeling coming from his bones say to "find a home." The final verse suggests that the singer is leaving everything behind and is "going to Wichita" to start over.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna fight 'em off
I'm going to push through and not let anything hold me back.
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
Not even a big obstacle or challenge could stop me.
They're gonna rip it off
Others might try to take something away from me.
Taking their time right behind my back.
They're waiting for the right moment to strike and try to take what's mine.
And I'm talking to myself at night
I'm trying to reason with myself and sort out my thoughts when I'm alone.
Because I can't forget
I can't get something out of my head and it's bothering me.
Back and forth through my mind
I keep obsessing over the same ideas and can't find a way to resolve them.
Behind a cigarette
Trying to cope with my thoughts and maybe even my stress by smoking.
And the message coming from my eyes
My expression and gaze communicate that I want to be left alone and that what I'm thinking about is too personal to share.
Say leave it alone.
I'm indicating that others need to back off and let me deal with my own issues.
Don't want to hear about it
I don't want to deal with someone else's problems or drama.
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone has something to say and wants to be heard.
Everyone knows about it
No secrets exist, and gossip spreads everywhere.
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell.
From the most famous to the most undeserving, everybody has their own tale.
And if I catch it coming back my way
If I come across someone else's negativity again,
I'm gonna serve it to you
I won't tolerate it and will give it back to you.
And that ain't what you want to hear
I know that you don't want an argument in return.
But that's what I'll do.
I will stand up for myself and express my opinions if I have to.
And the feeling coming from my bones
I know deep down inside what's really the right course of action.
Say find a home.
I need to stay true to myself and find a place where I belong and can flourish.
I'm going to Wichita
I'm heading away from everything that's keeping me from achieving my goals.
Far from this opera for evermore
As far away as possible from the drama and conflict that's present around me.
I'm gonna work the straw
I'm going to put in the hard work and effort required to achieve my objectives.
Make the sweat drip out of every pore.
I'm going to work so hard, and it will show physically, making me tired and exhausted.
And I'm bleeding', and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding'
Symbols of pain and suffering that I'm going through emotionally and physically.
Right before the Lord
I'm feeling intensely emotional and overwhelmed that even God can't ignore my feelings.
All the words are gonna bleed from me
Everything is overwhelming me, and I'm spilling it all out.
And I will sing no more.
I will no longer be able to hide in my music or emotions.
And the stains coming from my blood
Others can see the results of the pressure and stress that I'm under.
Tell me go back home.
It's advice for me to go back to a place where I can find safety and comfort.
Contributed by Liam C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrew Austin
The harmonies are spot on and Richard's bass line outperforms the bass guitar!
Mike Miller
The Oak Ridge Boys put on the BEST concert I have EVER been to. They've been touring for 30+ years and they are still just as good as ever.
MrTeddyBass
They rocked this! I've been listening to them since before Elvira was their big hit and they're always great on vocals...one of the best vocal/harmony groups ever!
Evil Clown71
This video was so cool. And so different. Loved it. I love how deep Richards voice is.
Carla Austin
Yes, love his voice.
Courtenay Oeltjen
His voice is amazing, I think it would be cool to hear him sing more of the lyrics of the song tho
karen823
Being a rocker doesn't have an age limit. I think these guys are great!!
Joyce Henning
Awesome! Nice arrangement, and what a fabulous interview. More artists/groups should think outside the box and mix things up! Reminded me of when Johnny Cash covered NIN.
Andy Atkins
I grew up listening to these guys! This is totally badass!!!
jammer3618
They kill this song. Who would have thought. Kudos.