Following an unsuccessful spell in the mid-1990s as part of a band called Spoonful, in 1998 Hoge began touring the American south with guitarist Dan Baird (former of The Georgia Satellites). Hoge independently released his first CD, Live At The Exit/In, a live set recorded at the Nashville club. This drew some attention and that, and constant touring, led to the release Hodge's first studio album, Carousel. A record deal followed in early 2002 and his major label debut, Blackbird On A Lonely Wire, in 2003.
Hoge was involved in a scooter accident on August 20, 2008 after leaving a studio session for what would be his next album, "The Wreckage". Following numerous surgical procedures (mainly on his shattered femur/leg), Hoge made a full recovery.
His album "Number Seven" was released in 2011.
Hoge has made a career of writing and singing powerful songs about life’s cruel and dark turns. Not long ago, he fell victim to one such turn. As Hoge rode his scooter home from the studio, he was struck by an oncoming van that had veered into his lane. There were no skid marks. Launched off his bike, Hoge ended up bloodied, broken-boned, temporarily blinded, and near death. “[The accident] was like stopping a record as it spins,” says Hoge, who had been halfway through recording material for his new record before getting derailed. “It was like taking the needle and pushing it off the turntable.” For ten months, the accident sidelined Hoge. For ten months, it made him do something he hadn’t done in 18 years: stop the music. Larger matters dominated his life, like physical recovery and the well-being of his family. “People would say, ‘I bet you’re ready to get back to playing and writing.’ I’m thinking, ‘Playing or singing is not the issue right now. I’m ready to get back to walking.’”
His previous album, Draw the Curtains, had been a unanimous high-water mark in his career, a magnificent collection of rock, country, soul, blues, and folk. With a great band, good vibes, and clear skies overhead, Hoge felt like he was building something real as a career artist. Eight months after the incident he re-entered the studio in pursuit of that mission.. “Making The Wreckage opened me up in a different way,” says Hoge. “I felt a calmness, a purpose. Right now it feels like I’m getting to the core of what I want to do and why.”
The Wreckage listens like a record with a purpose. Having stared down his own mortality, Hoge has now rediscovered the simple joys of making good music. “It’s hard to explain, but I felt a certain serenity making this album,” he says. “It doesn’t come through in the songs, but the process has become easier, and I believe the songs flow with more confidence.”
When Hoge’s fans hear these songs, they’ll feel that resolve too. The Wreckage both curses life’s wrong turns and celebrates its triumphs. “I’ve always tried to make albums that have a good reason for every song, and for the sequence of those songs. On this album you get 40:18 of music, and hopefully you’ll want to hear the whole thing start to finish.”
The album was crafted with a depth of sound and musicality that breaks new ground for Hoge. Rugged, pulsating rock fuels “Just Like Me.” Spirited melody characterizes tunes like “Highway Wings” and “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” The gruff ghosts of the barroom return on Hoge’s “Hard to Love,” as does the searing country roots rock of “Long Gone.” Ballads like “What Could I Do” and “The Wreckage” are rife with the sort of brooding melancholy you’d expect from a guy who has been to the edge and back. “‘The Wreckage’ is one of the favorite songs I’ve ever sung,” Hoge admits. “I couldn’t have sung this physically before the accident, because my voice just wasn’t suited to how quiet it is.”
“Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” his paean to rock and roll as life’s true calling, is another tune Hoge admires. “The minute we started recording it, it was one of those songs that drove itself. Everyone in the room understood the sentiment. There was magic in that moment you don’t get very often.”
Even though half of The Wreckage was written and most of it recorded after the crash, images of the episode are only discreetly woven into the fabric of the album, like streaks of red on a dark surface. That’s because Hoge would rather leave those lines, words, and phrases to interpretation.
Released one year almost to the day of his accident, The Wreckage is not, song by song, a celebration of life. The sentiments are too dark, his lyrics too biting, his voice brimming with moodiness. Risen from the ashes of Hoge’s own “wreckage,” the recording is an incredible achievement, hands-down his best work to date. And that is as good a cause as any for real celebration.
www.willhoge.com
Draw the Curtains
Will Hoge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I was thinking maybe you would, stay, with me tonight
there ain't no sense in driving
when its already two to four
and i don't think i could stand bleeding across the wire
of another lonely broken midnight call, oh but that's not all
if you come to me
i'll fall into your arms like rain
one thing is certain
in the morning when we draw the curtain
it'll be a brand new day
so won't you hear my invitation, allow yourself to slip on down
cause i'll be right here beside you, trying not make a single sound
and if you would, let me climb on up your staircase love
bring you kisses sweet with wine
dance with the splendor of a thousand fools in love
just sweet like the moonlight every time
oh if you come to me, like honey in the springtime
i fall into your arms like rain
one thing is certain, in the morning when we draw the curtain
it will be a brand new day
oh if you come to me, like honey in the springtime
i fall into your arms like rain
one thing is certain, in the morning when we draw the curtain
it will be a brand new day
oh it'll be a brand new day
gonna be a brand new day
In "Draw the Curtains" by Will Hoge, the singer is feeling lonely and hoping for some companionship. He asks his love interest to stay with him for the night because it's too late to be driving, and he doesn't want to risk another late-night phone call. He promises her that if she comes to him, he'll fall into her arms and make it a special night. The morning signifies a new beginning, and the day ahead of them will be brand new.
The song is about the desire for meaningful human connection, and the hope that even after a long and difficult night, a new day will bring comfort and new opportunities. Hoge uses rich imagery and metaphors such as "honey in the springtime" and "falling into your arms like rain," to convey the singer's longing for emotional intimacy.
Overall, the song is a beautiful and romantic ballad about seeking solace and companionship in another person's embrace, and the promise of a new beginning in the morning.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been so lonely, I surely hope this turns out right.
The singer is feeling lonely and hopes that their evening plans with the listener make them feel better.
Baby, I was thinking maybe you would, stay, with me tonight
The singer is hoping that the listener will stay with them for the night.
there ain't no sense in driving
when its already two to four
and i don't think i could stand bleeding across the wire
of another lonely broken midnight call, oh but that's not all
It's too late to start driving and the singer doesn't want to risk another lonely and heartbreaking late night phone call.
if you come to me
like honey in the springtime
i'll fall into your arms like rain
one thing is certain
in the morning when we draw the curtain
it'll be a brand new day
The artist is expressing their willingness to be with the listener and that they will feel renewed in the morning.
so won't you hear my invitation, allow yourself to slip on down
cause i'll be right here beside you, trying not make a single sound
The artist is inviting the listener to feel comfortable and secure with them for the night.
and if you would, let me climb on up your staircase love
bring you kisses sweet with wine
dance with the splendor of a thousand fools in love
just sweet like the moonlight every time
The singer is expressing their affection for the listener and their desire to share intimacy and romance.
oh it'll be a brand new day
gonna be a brand new day
The singer is looking forward to starting fresh and leaving the past behind them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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