Authenticity and sincerity have been the cornerstones of Hancock's writing and music since the start of his career. His refusal to compromise his vision and sell
out his music has earned him a fiercely loyal underground following.
Hancock's vision, as he puts it, is "to bring people together and make them feel good about music. It's a spiritual thing and without spirituality, you've got nothin'. There ain't much on the radio that strikes me as being original or from the heart, most of it's from the pocketbook and it shows."
Wayne is proud of his rural roots and culture and has thoroughly absorbed the spirit of country music's forefathers such as Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. Never a mere imitator, the cutting-edge style that emerges is every bit his own. He breathes youth and driving energy into traditional country forms and adds a dash of big band horns, boogie woogie piano, scorching rockabilly beats, heavenly Hawaiian steel licks and some wigged-out hillbilly jazz guitar.
Hancock figures he started writing songs around the age of twelve, and he did a lot of traveling around Texas, playing juke joints and belting out his originals for anyone who'd listen. At 18, he won the "Wrangler Country Showdown" but couldn't claim the prize because he'd already enrolled in the Marines. After a six-year hitch with Uncle Sam, he moved to Austin, where he reacquainted himself with music and won a role in the 1994 theatrical production of Chippy. He performed alongside Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen and Rolling Stone proclaimed, "The nasal honky-tonk of newcomer Wayne Hancock practically steals the show."
In 1995 Wayne debuted with "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs", a remarkable CD produced by steel guitar legend Lloyd Maines (Joe Ely, Wilco and Richard Buckner). The release was met with critical acclaim. Newsweek called it "the most promising debut of the season." Two-hundred-fifty dates throughout the country, including brilliant performances on Austin City Limits and NPR's Prairie Home Companion, led to well over 22,000 copies sold of his debut release on a tiny independent Texas label. In 1997, Wayne signed with ARK 21, an eclectic and well-anchored label owned by former Police manager Miles Copeland. Miles and his staff were impressed with Wayne's genuine ability for writing and performing and have dubbed him "arguably the hardest-working man in show business" for his willingness to tour solidly and his insistence on efficiency and
untainted live energy in the studio. "That's What Daddy Wants", Hancock's sophomore release, was recorded in a startling three days. A brilliant example of his Texas swing and juke joint rockabilly, the album was even a staple on the space shuttle Columbia, the bugle call of its title track used to wake the astronauts. After "That's What Daddy Wants" generated even more critical success than the first release, ARK 21 decided to reissue "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs" on their label.
The past several years have been a time of personal evolution and growth in Wayne's life. He was self-managed since the beginning of 1998 and later that year he lost his father to cancer. He has still been gigging solidly throughout the country and has been doing his own driving, tour managing and taking care of business in exactly his own way.
While various musicians drop in on Wayne's shows from time to time, his core band for touring is comprised of the phenomenal Eddie Biebel on lead guitar and the rhythm slappin' Jake Erwin on Standup Bass. Do yourself a favor - whenever this great trio is in or near your town, go to the show!
Thunderstorms and Neon Signs
Wayne Hancock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been driving all day and I sure could use some rest
There's a motel up ahead where I can unwind
Cause I sure love thunderstorms and neon signs
I grew up on the road from town to town
My daddy's line of work, kept us moving around
I've got fond memories of the way things were back then
We listened to the opry in small cafes
When we stopped to get a bite along the way
Whenever I hear the wheels begin to whine
It takes me back to another time
I've got a real nice room with a radio and TV
This here motel living is the only life for me
It looks like it'll be raining for quite some time
Mixed with the lightning is the glow from a neon sign
We listened to the opry in small cafes
When we stopped to get a bite along the way
Whenever I hear the wheels begin to whine
It takes me back to another time
There's some big black clouds blowing in from the west
I've been driving all day and I sure could use some rest
There's a motel up ahead where I can unwind
Cause I sure love thunderstorms and neon signs
Wayne Hancock's song Thunderstorms and Neon Signs is a nostalgic tribute to memories of traveling on the road and staying in hotels as a child. The song's narrating protagonist has been driving for a while and he spots a motel where he can rest for the night. The singer uses the lulling sound of thunderstorms to calm his nerves while the radiance of neon lights reminds him of his childhood. He describes how the warmth of neon lights would indicate a bad storm was coming, and how listening to the Opry in small cafes was a way to pass the time on a road trip. Throughout the song, the singer expresses his love for the freedom of the road, and how iconic the imagery of thunderstorms and neon signs is to him.
The song is a perfect blend of country and western music, with a strong rhythm guitar and twangy lead guitar. The lyrics include a unique blend of modern and nostalgic elements that create a vivid image of the singer's memories. The song's popularity can be attributed to this vivid imagery as listeners can easily relate to it.
Line by Line Meaning
There's some big black clouds blowing in from the west
Heavy storm clouds are approaching from the west
I've been driving all day and I sure could use some rest
I have been driving for a long time and need to take a break
There's a motel up ahead where I can unwind
There is a motel ahead where I can relax
Cause I sure love thunderstorms and neon signs
My fond memories of childhood include the warmth of neon signs during thunderstorms
I grew up on the road from town to town
As a child, I was raised on the road on account of my father's work
My daddy's line of work, kept us moving around
My father's work required us to constantly travel and relocate
I've got fond memories of the way things were back then
I cherish my memories of that time
The warmth of the neon when a bad storm was moving in
I associate neon signs with comfort during thunderstorms
We listened to the opry in small cafes
We enjoyed listening to the opry in small diners along the way
When we stopped to get a bite along the way
Whenever we took a break to eat while traveling
Whenever I hear the wheels begin to whine
When I hear the sound of the tires on the road
It takes me back to another time
It brings back memories of my childhood on the road
I've got a real nice room with a radio and TV
I have a comfortable motel room with entertainment
This here motel living is the only life for me
Living in motels is the lifestyle I prefer
It looks like it'll be raining for quite some time
It seems that the rain and storm will last for a while
Mixed with the lightning is the glow from a neon sign
The storm and the neon sign lights are combining to create a unique atmosphere
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WAYNE HANCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind