A celebrated studio band that took the next step and became performers on-s… Read Full Bio ↴A celebrated studio band that took the next step and became performers on-stage, the Texas Gentlemen are a group of musicians who backed some of the biggest names in Lone Star music before striking out on their own. The story of the Texas Gentlemen begins with Beau Patrick Bedford, a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer from Dallas who first made his way into the music business playing in Jonathan Tyler's road band, the Northern Lights. After heading out on his own in 2009, Bedford started producing sessions for other artists, beginning with R&B vocalist Larry Gee. As Bedford developed a reputation for his production skills with acts such as Kirby Brown, the Dovetails, the Roomsounds, and Paul Cauthen, he began working with an informal collection of local players who showed exceptional versatility and worked well together, developing a cohesive sound that set them apart from the sterile technique of many studio pickers.

While many musicians drifted in and out of Bedford's orbit, the core of the group consisted of Bedford on keyboards, Ryan Ake and Nik Lee on guitars, Daniel Creamer on piano, Scott Lee and Matt McDonald on bass, and Aaron Haynes on drums. The group adopted the the name the Texas Gentlemen, and began playing occasional dates in Dallas, as well as backing up everyone from Ed Sheeran to George Strait. The Texas Gentlemen's public profile got a major boost in 2016, when they were booked to play the Newport Folk Festival and were recruited to serve as the backing band for another artist -- Kris Kristofferson -- who was making his first appearance at the festival in 45 years. Kristofferson enjoyed working with the Gentlemen, and hired them to accompany him on tour at venues in Texas.

Later that year, Bedford had booked time at the Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for an artist he was working with. When the artist bailed on the sessions at the last minute, Bedford had a brainstorm -- he invited his fellow Texas Gentlemen and a number of their like-minded friends to come to Muscle Shoals, hole up in the studio, and see what happened. Over the course of four days, the Gentlemen wrote and recorded 28 songs; the bandmembers eventually picked the 11 tracks they liked the best and compiled them into an album, TX Jelly, which was released by New West Records in September 2017. A major U.S. tour followed the release of the album, as well as dates with Brian Setzer and Paul Cauthen over the next year. It wasn't long before the band were back in the studio working on their sophomore album. Recording at the legendary Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama and the Echo Lab in Denton, Texas, the album saw the group taking on more classic rock and soulful influences. The album Floor It!!! was issued in mid-2020, preceded by the West Coast-influenced single "Ain't Nothin' New."

Inside of Love
The Texas Gentlemen Lyrics

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Watching terrible TV
It kills all thought
Getting spacier than
An astronaut
Making out with people
I hardly know or like
I can′t believe what I do
Late at night

I wanna know what it's like
On the inside of love
I′m standing at the gates
I see the beauty above

Only when we get to see
The aerial view
Will the patterns show
We'll know what to do
I know the last page so well
I can't read the first
So I just don′t start
It′s getting worse

I wanna know what it's like
On the inside of love
I′m standing at the gates
I see the beauty above

I wanna know what it's like
On the inside of love
I can′t find my way in
I try again and again
Again
Again
Again

I'm on the outside of love
Always under or above
I can′t find my way in
I try again and again

I'm on the outside of love
Always under or above
Must be a different view
To be a me with a you

I wanna know what it's like
On the inside of love
I′m standing at the gates
I see the beauty above

I wanna know what it′s like
On the inside of love

Of love
Of love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Texas Gentlemen's "Inside of Love" are a contemplation of the singer’s life and its apparent emptiness, expressed through the metaphor of being on the outside of love. Through self-destructive behavior like watching terrible TV, hooking up with strangers, and avoiding starting something new, the singer reveals their fear of taking risks and opening up to new experiences. The longing to be on the inside of love, to experience the beauty and patterns of love from a different perspective, is evident throughout the song. The line “I can’t find my way in, I try again and again” suggests the singer’s ongoing struggle.

The chorus repeats the desire to know what it’s like on the inside of love, and to see the beauty from a different viewpoint. The aerial view mentioned in the second verse alludes to the idea that it is difficult to see patterns in life’s experiences when we are too close to them. It could also suggest the longing for a higher perspective, a new way of looking at things. The last two lines of the second verse suggest the confusion that comes with not knowing how to decipher the patterns and what steps to take next.

In conclusion, "Inside of Love" is a poignant contemplation of life's patterns and complexities, seen through the eyes of someone who struggles to let go of their fears and inhibitions and open themselves up to love and new experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Watching terrible TV
Distracting oneself from reality with mindless entertainment

It kills all thought
The consumption of media numbs the mind and prevents introspection

Getting spacier than An astronaut
Becoming detached from reality and losing touch with oneself

Making out with people I hardly know or like
Engaging in superficial, meaningless relationships that offer no true connection

I can't believe what I do Late at night
Regretting one's actions and decisions made in a state of vulnerability or under the influence

I wanna know what it's like On the inside of love
Seeking a deeper connection and understanding of love and relationships

I'm standing at the gates I see the beauty above
Recognizing the potential for love and beauty, but feeling unable to fully experience or access it

Only when we get to see The aerial view
Taking a step back to gain perspective and truly understand a situation

Will the patterns show We'll know what to do
Through observation and analysis, a clearer solution or path forward will become evident

I know the last page so well I can't read the first
Being too focused on the end result or outcome to fully appreciate or understand the journey

So I just don't start It's getting worse
Avoiding new experiences or challenges leads to stagnation and a sense of unease

I can't find my way in I try again and again Again Again Again
Repetitive attempts to connect with someone or something but feeling constantly blocked or unable to achieve that connection

I'm on the outside of love Always under or above
Feeling disconnected from love and relationships, either observing from the sidelines or feeling overwhelmed by them

Must be a different view To be a me with a you
Acknowledging that a deeper connection with someone else would require a shift in perspective or approach

Of love
Love is the central theme of this song

Writer(s): Caws

Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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