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.
Someone Before Me
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What give me life and took my breath away?
Did I take a last-call stranger home
So I wouldn't have to wake up alone?
I heard I was a wild one
Acting like a child some
But I really don't recall
Always was the last one
Waitin' for the other shoe to fall
I've seen pictures
And I've heard stories
'Bout the boy I used to be
But I don't remember me
Was I just another ghost in this town?
Who was I when no one was around?
Did I even know what I was livin' without?
Who are my favorite songs about?
I heard I was a wild one
Acting like a child some
But I really don't recall
Heard I was a fast one
Always was the last one
Waitin' for the other shoe to fall
I've seen pictures
And I've heard stories
'Bout the boy I used to be
But I don't remember me
Was my heart beatin' in my chest?
And was I even alive before the day we met?
I heard I was a wild one
Acting like a child some
Heard I was a fast one
Always was the last one
Waitin' for the other shoe to fall
I've seen pictures
And I've heard stories
'Bout the boy I used to be
But I don't remember me
No, I don't remember me before you
The Osborne Brothers' song "I Know You" is a reflective piece about a person's past and their journey to discover who they were before they found love. The lyrics ask questions about their former self, wondering if they watched the sunset fade or took a last-call stranger home to avoid being alone. The persona reveals that they have heard stories and seen pictures of the boy they used to be, but they don't remember themselves before meeting their partner.
The lines "Heard I was a wild one, acting like a child some," and "Heard I was a fast one, always was the last one, waiting for the other shoe to fall" suggest that the persona had been living recklessly before they met their partner. They were known for being wild and carefree, but the persona seems to regret their past behavior. They are trying to understand who they were before the person they love transformed them, and more importantly, they are trying to understand who they are now.
The mood of the song is somewhat nostalgic, but it is also hopeful. The chorus suggests that the persona has found someone who has changed their life for the better. They may not remember who they were before, but they know who they are now - and that is all that matters. It is a beautiful song about the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Did I stop and watch the sunset fade?
Did I stop to appreciate the beauty of life?
What give me life and took my breath away?
What made me feel alive and left me speechless?
Did I take a last-call stranger home So I wouldn't have to wake up alone?
Did I try to fill the void of loneliness with temporary companionship?
I heard I was a wild one Acting like a child some But I really don't recall
People tell me that I used to be reckless and carefree, but I don't remember
Heard I was a fast one Always was the last one Waitin' for the other shoe to fall
They say I was always taking risks and waiting for something bad to happen
I've seen pictures And I've heard stories 'Bout the boy I used to be But I don't remember me
There's evidence of my past self, but it doesn't feel like it was actually me
Was I just another ghost in this town? Who was I when no one was around?
Did I leave any lasting impression on this place, and who was I when I was alone?
Did I even know what I was livin' without? Who are my favorite songs about?
Was I really living to the fullest, and who did I relate to or admire through music?
Was my heart beatin' in my chest? And was I even alive before the day we met?
Did I truly feel alive before I met you, and did I even have a purpose?
No, I don't remember me before you
You've changed my life so much that I don't even recognize who I used to be
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TJ Osborne, Joshua Osborne, Matthew Dragstrem, Shane McAnally
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jonathanthechristian5558
I never appreciated this song until I got sober. Feels like I'm hearing it for the first time. My daughter just turned 10 months. God is good
@PrrimeTime21
Congratulations 🙏🏼😊
@DRDROP-fj4bo
Carry on brother. She depending on you.
@user-fv4ro6cj9g
God is good.
@phunny12000
4 years for me and I do miss it and then realised that I wasn't really who I cudda been
@scottweedon4015
God bless…………….
God guild, my brother!
You got this !!!!
@Reximus5
This song is so underrated. It's a beautiful piece of art
@elainemiller266
Master piece of beauty song of hymns ❣️💯🔥
@SusanDamante
AGREEE! 🎶
@TheAbdielhiram
Almost any Brothers Osborne song is!!