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."
Thanks
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There wouldn't be no Santa Claus
Or look what the stork just brought thank god for kids
And we'd all live in a quiet house without Big Bird or Mickey Mouse
And cool-Aid on the couch thank god for kids
Thank god for kids there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why?
Daddy, how does this thing fly?
And a hundred other where's and whys
You really don't know but you try thank god for kids
When you look down in those trusting eyes that look to you, you realize
There's a love that you can't buy thank god for kids
Thank god for kids there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why?
The nearest thing to heaven is a child
When you get down on your knees
Tonight to thank the Lord for His guiding light
And pray they turn out right thank god for kids mmm thank god for kids
The Oak Ridge Boys's song "Thanks" is a beautiful ode to children and the simple joy and magic they bring to life. The lyrics reflect gratitude for the presence of children in the world and the impact they have on the lives of adults. The song suggests that without children, life would be mundane and lacking in wonder.
The first two lines of the song speak to the fact that without children, the myth of Santa Claus would not exist. The lyrics suggest that children bring an element of imagination and magic, without which holiday traditions like Christmas would not be as rich and meaningful. The next two lines reference popular children's characters, Big Bird and Mickey Mouse. Again, these characters provide children with a sense of wonder and excitement that adults often lose touch with.
The line "thank god for kids there's magic for a while" is repeated throughout the song and speaks to the idea that children bring a special kind of joy to life, but that this magic is fleeting. The lyrics acknowledge the fact that children grow up quickly, and that the innocence and joy they bring to life is something to be cherished. The chorus of the song suggests that children are the closest thing we have to heaven, and that their presence in our lives is a blessing.
The song also speaks to the role that children play in the lives of adults. The lyrics suggest that children give adults purpose and meaning, and that the love they have for their children is a powerful force. The line "you really don't know but you try thank god for kids" speaks to the fact that parenting can be difficult and challenging, but that the love for one's children makes it all worth it.
In conclusion, "Thanks" is a beautiful and heartfelt song that speaks to the magic and wonder of childhood, and the impact that children have on our lives. The lyrics highlight the gratitude that adults feel for the presence of children and suggest that life would be much less meaningful without them.
Line by Line Meaning
If it weren't for kids have you ever thought
Have you ever considered that without children, there wouldn't be certain aspects of life?
There wouldn't be no Santa Claus
The idea of a jolly man delivering gifts on Christmas wouldn't exist.
Or look what the stork just brought thank god for kids
A newborn baby brings immense joy and gratitude to parents.
And we'd all live in a quiet house without Big Bird or Mickey Mouse
Children's entertainment, such as popular TV characters, bring noise and laughter to our homes.
And cool-Aid on the couch thank god for kids
The messes that children create, like spilled drinks, remind us of their lively presence.
Thank god for kids there's magic for a while
Children have a unique way of enchanting us and bringing joy to our lives.
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Children's smiles are like rays of sunshine, spreading warmth and happiness to those around them.
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why?
Have you ever thought about the beauty of a child's presence and what they bring to our world?
The nearest thing to heaven is a child
There is something ethereal and sacred about a child's presence that is unmatched by anything else.
Daddy, how does this thing fly?
Children are curious and always eager to learn, asking questions and seeking knowledge.
And a hundred other where's and whys
Children are full of questions and curiosity, taking in the world around them in wonderment.
You really don't know but you try thank god for kids
Parents may not have all the answers, but they do their best to provide guidance and support for their children.
When you look down in those trusting eyes that look to you, you realize
Looking into a child's trusting eyes, one realizes the immense responsibility and privilege of being a caregiver.
There's a love that you can't buy thank god for kids
The love and bond between a parent and child is priceless and unbreakable.
When you get down on your knees
Taking a humble posture to show gratitude and reverence for the gift of children.
Tonight to thank the Lord for His guiding light
Thanking a higher power for providing guidance and support in raising children.
And pray they turn out right thank god for kids mmm thank god for kids
Expressing hope and gratitude for the influence that children have in shaping our lives for the better.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD FUTCH, EDWARD G FUTCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rollit06
Perfect Gospel...
Long live Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Willie Wynn!❤️
@qwanaonnaeisnyder7912
Will Wynn does an exquisite job as always
@cleberspecorteavelar5645
Wonderful album. Very great.
@jamespressly
In the 1970's I saw this group as pictured here. They were so anointed, and it was such an experience to see them in person. I bought this album, but the old record player is not working now. Thanks.
@benmolnar
You have kept these albums in good shape!!
@kevindouglas4617
Duane Allen can sing. The best lead singer in Gospel music.
@23Josilee
Wonderful album !!!
@paulabair3888
great album.
@ThisMyhandlenow
Thanks for posting these
@SouthernGospelConventionMusic
No one better for God.