- Rick LeBlanc, Words And Music
The Slow Drag (East Nashville, TN)
American Rock ’n Roll
"[My] music is meant to be an expression of who I was when I started playing music and how that resonates with who I am today" says Austin James, sole member of The Slow Drag. “As an artist, I want the songs of The Slow Drag to be able to stand on their own, with the lyrical style being the connecting thread, rather than the instrumentation.”
A lust for hedonism and a hunger for transcendence. A celebration of liberated sexuality and the desire for intimate connection. A cynical disdain for complacency and the daydream of finding one’s place in the world. These are thematically woven throughout lyrics sung over musical arrangements reminiscent of classic American genres ranging from motown to punk.
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Currently one of the few musicians pioneering the Live Broadcast movement, The Slow Drag cut his broadcasting teeth as a Partner on the popular broadcasting app YouNow where his broadcasts were viewed by over 50k people per month. Currently, you can catch The Slow Drag's live broadcasts on Facebook Live, YouNow, and Twitch. When he's not writing, recording, or performing, The Slow Drag interviews independent, blue-collar musicians on his podcast, "The Slow Drag Has a Podcast, Too."
Over the course of his career, Austin has toured the world and shared stages with internationally known acts such as Xibit, Beck, and The Veronicas, won awards for songwriting, and had several songs places in TV and Film, including "Grace is Gone (Dir. Clint Eastwood) and ABC's "Jane By Design"
Starlight
The Slow Drag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know it's real
And I'm going find it
Sneak up behind it
Before it disappears
I don't know how it got there
And I don't really care
Won't let me stop
I've just got to go
Chasing a dream
Ain't easy as it might seem
You'll stumble and fall
It'll hurt but it's worth it
It's just dirt
It's gonna wash off
Riding the starlight
Ain't no drugs get you this high
Hold tight
It feels like
Breaking the wild horse
Making your dreams real life
Riding the starlight
No, you can't stare out the window
And watch it pass by
You wont feel the breeze
Or the warmth of the sun
If you don't go outside
Chasing the dream
Ain't easy as it might seem
But sticking with it
Is harder to
Look back and wonder what if
Riding the starlight
Ain't no drug gets you this high
Hold tight
It feels like
Breaking the Wildhorse
Making your dreams real life
Riding the starlight
The starlight
Riding the starlight
Ain't no drug gets you this high
Hold tight now
It feels like
Breaking the wind horse
Making your dreams real life
Riding the starlight
Starlight
Riding the starlight
The Slow Drag's song Starlight is a stirring anthem about chasing your dreams, no matter how difficult the journey may be. The opening lines, "I know it's out there, I know it's real, and I'm going to find it," set the tone for the song, emphasizing the singer's belief in their dream and their determination to pursue it. The lyrics suggest that the dream is something elusive, as the singer must "sneak up behind it before it disappears." Despite not knowing where the dream came from or why it matters, the singer's heart, mind, and soul won't allow them to stop.
The second verse of the song reveals that chasing a dream is not easy, but it's worth it. The line "riding the starlight ain't no drug gets you this high" suggests that the euphoria of pursuing and attaining a dream surpasses any high that might come from drugs or other experiences. The imagery of "breaking the wild horse" reinforces the idea that pursuing a dream requires a fierce, unyielding spirit. The chorus of the song repeats the idea that holding on to your dream, no matter what, is paramount to living a fulfilling life. The lyrics ultimately suggest that in order to truly experience life, you have to take risks and leave your comfort zone.
Line by Line Meaning
I know it's out there
I am aware that what I desire exists somewhere in this world
I know it's real
I am certain that my desire is not just an illusion
And I'm going find it
I am committed to searching and obtaining my desire
Sneak up behind it
I will pursue my desire stealthily to not scare it away
Before it disappears
I will act quickly before my opportunity is gone
I don't know how it got there
I don't understand the origin of my desire
And I don't really care
I am not concerned with the past or present details, just the outcome
I just know my heart, mind and soul
My desire comes from a place of deep emotion, thought, and being
Won't let me stop
I will persevere and not give up until I reach my goal
I've just got to go
I am compelled to take action towards my desire
Chasing a dream
Pursuing what I desire is like chasing an intangible vision
Ain't easy as it might seem
The pursuit of my desire is harder than it appears
You'll stumble and fall
There will be setbacks and failures along the way
It'll hurt but it's worth it
The pain and struggle is justified by the reward of obtaining my desire
It's just dirt
The obstacles and challenges I face are trivial in comparison to my desire
It's gonna wash off
The obstacles and challenges are temporary and can be overcome
Riding the starlight
Achieving my desire is like traveling on a magical journey through the universe
Ain't no drugs get you this high
The feeling of achieving my desire is greater than any artificially induced high
Hold tight
Be patient and strong, remain committed to the journey
It feels like
The sensation of achieving my desire is like
Breaking the wild horse
Conquering my obstacles and challenges is like taming a wild and powerful animal
Making your dreams real life
Turning my desires into reality
No, you can't stare out the window
I cannot just passively observe my life and desire, I must take action
And watch it pass by
The opportunity to achieve my desire will not wait for me
You wont feel the breeze
I will not experience the joys and sensations of life if I don't take risks
Or the warmth of the sun
I will not experience the fullness of life if I don't pursue my desire
If you don't go outside
If I don't venture out of my comfort zone and take risks
But sticking with it
Persevering and staying committed to my desire
Is harder to
Continuing down the path towards my desire is more difficult than giving up
Look back and wonder what if
Regretting not pursuing my desire when I had the chance
Starlight
The ethereal essence of achieving something magical and profound
Contributed by Brayden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.