The first known public appearance of the Osborne Brothers was in 1951. They joined the cast at WCYB Bristol, Virginia, to perform on a program called "Farm and Fun Time", along with other Bluegrass bands, such as, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Carl Story and his Rambling Mountainers. Other members of "Farm and Fun Time" included, Jim & Jesse, Little Robert Van Winkle, Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, and country recording artist Red Kirk. The live program aired five days a week, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on WCYB Radio, and covered five states.
Upon their breakout into the bluegrass scene, the Osborne Brothers quickly became noted for their virtuosic instrumentation and tight, melodic vocal harmonies. Their first country chart appearance was "Once More", a 1958 trio with Red Allen, with a then-novel inverted stacked harmony: Bobby singing the lead line highest, then Sonny singing baritone, and finally the third singer (in this case Red Allen) singing the tenor as the lowest part. This placed Bobby's distinctive voice as the lead, and made the third voice a somewhat interchangeable part. As a result, the brothers could hire a series of guitarist/singers without changing their overall sound. This "high lead" vocal trio became their signature sound, used to great effect in the country market, with songs like "Blame Me", "Sweethearts Again", and a remake of the Carter Family's "Fair and Tender Ladies".
During their breakout period of the mid 1950s, Sonny's banjo and Bobby's mandolin styles became distinctive and easily-identifiable with their overall sound. The band was inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry on August 8, 1964.
The Osborne Brothers have the distinction of having recorded two songs that would go on to be officially voted as "state songs." The first, "Rocky Top," was named a Tennessee state song in 1982. The other, "Kentucky," was named a state song for the brothers' home state of Kentucky.
In 1994, The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. The induction is considered bluegrass music's highest honor.
Making Plans
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say tomorrow you′re going
It's so hard for me to believe
I′m making plans for the heartaches
'Cause you're making plans to leave.
The tears for me will be falling
I′m making plans for the teardrops
′Cause you're making plans to leave.
You′re making plans to forget me
I'm making plans to miss you
I′m gettin' ready to grieve
I′m making plans to be lonesome
'Cause you're making plans to leave.
I′m making plans to be lonesome
′Cause you're making plans to leave...
The Osborne Brothers’ “Making Plans” is a melancholic song that delves into the emotions of someone who is about to be abandoned. The opening line of the song, “You say tomorrow you’re going, it's so hard for me to believe” sets the tone for the entire song. The singer is struggling to accept that the person they love is leaving them behind. They feel helpless and anxious about the future, and unable to cope with the heartbreak that is to come.
The chorus of the song is straightforward, where the singer reveals that they are already preparing themselves for the inevitable consequences of their partner's departure. They are aware that the tears will fall like tree shedding its leaves and that they will become lonesome after they leave. The lyrics also suggest that the singer knows their partner has stopped caring long ago, and now they are only concerned with moving on. The singer expresses their affection by stating that they are making plans to miss their partner, while the latter already has plans for forgetting them.
In conclusion, The Osborne Brothers’ “Making Plans” is a musical masterpiece that explores the emotions of someone who is about to lose a loved one. The gut-wrenching lyrics coupled with the beautiful melody makes the song a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
You say tomorrow you're going
You have told me that you will be leaving tomorrow
It's so hard for me to believe
I find it difficult to accept that you will actually be leaving
I'm making plans for the heartaches
I am preparing myself for the emotional pain that your departure will cause me
'Cause you're making plans to leave.
Your intent to leave is the reason why I need to brace myself for the heartache to come
The tears for me will be falling
I will cry a lot when you leave
Like a tree shedding its leaves
My tears will be as plentiful as the leaves of a tree falling in autumn
I'm making plans for the teardrops
I am preparing myself for the tears that I will cry
'Cause you're making plans to leave.
Your departure is the reason I need to anticipate the tears I will shed
You're making plans to forget me
You are intending to move on from me and forget about our relationship
I'm making plans to miss you
I am preparing myself for the inevitable longing and missing that will follow your absence
I'm gettin' ready to grieve
I am preparing myself for the grieving process that will come after you leave
I'm making plans to be lonesome
I am bracing myself for the loneliness that will come with your absence
'Cause you're making plans to leave.
Your plan to leave is the reason why I need to prepare for the loneliness that will follow
I'm making plans to be lonesome
I am preparing myself for the loneliness that will come with your absence
'Cause you're making plans to leave.
Your leaving is the reason why I need to prepare myself for the loneliness that will follow.
Writer(s): Johnny Russell, Voni Morrison
Contributed by Claire T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@judycollins7477
Still listening to the Osborne Brothers in 2024. They had the greatest harmony. Will always love their music. Sorry they are gone.
@sueadt8421
I saw these guys in the early ‘70’s & have loved them ever since!! They’ve only gotten better with age….like a fine wine!!! The harmony is exquisite!! RIP You both will be missed!!! 7/4/23 ❤️
@eddierhodes3461
Fantastic version of a wonderful song. The harmony that only family can do.
@roncobb9233
These guys had the best harmony I ever heard Bob and Sonny set the bar when it came to harmony BLUEGRASS MUSIC
@tonycox3447
No one can ever come close to singing this like the Osborne brothers. Fantastic!!
@judycollins7477
I saw the Osborne Bros. for the first time in 1967. I thought they were great. I've listened to them ever since. Here we are in 2020. Still love them and listen to them a lot. They will always be the best in bluegrass. Thanks to them for all the yrs of great music.
@judycollins7477
So sorry to hear that Sonny has passed away. Will miss him terribly. Will alwaus love The Osborne Bros. Sincere sympathy to his family. Rip Sonny.
@garydeems4338
That's true bluegrass, one of my favorite groups . I have listened to them ever sincewI was a teenager! Best harmony ever.
@Bluebird49
This is just my own opinion; you know---everyone has one and the right to express it: I've listened to these guys for over 50 years, and there are very few songs in their entire discography that I don't care for. This one is really one of my favorites. Sonny's beautiful chording close the end is just a lovely combination of chords that I've always loved. It's almost romantic, for lack of a better word! He combined the best of the best banjo pickers of that time, and later became one of the best himself, in my opinion. He sang nicely with Bob, whose has an extraordinary range. I can't think of any bluegrass lead/tenor who comes close to his soaring notes! A really great pair of bluegrass brothers that I'm nearly always in the mood for... or The Country Gents, Flatt and Scruggs, The Seldom Scene, so many more... Um, I have to stop now, for I've got more listening to do, and here it is nearly 2 a.m.
@cameronsixkiller6162
making plans is my favorite