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.
Windy City
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We came to big city from our little country town
And every step she takes with you is down
But you're as cold and heartless as your chilling winds that blow
Before you freeze her heart please let go.
Windy City you're haunting my baby
Windy City turn loose of my baby
If you don't give her back I lose my mind.
--- Instrumental ---
At night I walk your sidewalks and look in every bar
I love her even though she's gone too far
Your swinging doors stay open to keep her from my side
And I'm on your lonely streets again tonight.
Windy City you're haunting my baby
With your bright lights and your avenues so wild
Windy City turn loose of my baby
If you don't give her back I lose my mind...
The Osborne Brothers' song Windy City is a lament of a man who has lost his lover to the allure of the big city. The lyrics suggest that the city is cold and heartless, and the singer of the song is desperately trying to retrieve his lover from its grasp. The singer is haunted by the city, and it is made clear that he views it as a competitor, fighting with him for the affection of his beloved.
The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, with the singer's desperation palpable throughout. He sings about walking the city's lonely streets at night, searching for his lover in every bar he passes. It is clear that the singer is deeply in love with his partner, and is unable to come to terms with the fact that she has left him behind. The instrumental break following the second verse serves to underline the haunting, melancholic quality of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
We came to big city from our little country town
We left our small hometown for the big city.
And every step she takes with you is down
My significant other is on a downward spiral.
But you're as cold and heartless as your chilling winds that blow
The city is cold and unforgiving, like the winter winds.
Before you freeze her heart please let go.
Please don't let her be consumed by the harshness of the city.
Windy City you're haunting my baby
The city is tormenting my significant other.
With your bright lights and your avenues so wild
The city's overwhelming brightness and excitement is causing trouble.
Windy City turn loose of my baby
I want the city to release its grip on my significant other.
If you don't give her back I lose my mind.
I'll go crazy if I can't have my significant other back.
At night I walk your sidewalks and look in every bar
I'm searching for her everywhere, even in the city's bars.
I love her even though she's gone too far
Despite the distance between us, I still love her.
Your swinging doors stay open to keep her from my side
The city's busy nightlife is keeping us apart.
And I'm on your lonely streets again tonight.
I'm alone and lost on the city's deserted streets tonight.
Writer(s): P. Goble, B. Osborne
Contributed by Camilla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.