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
Even If It Breaks Your Heart
Will Hoge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The fire got lit inside a bright-eyed child
Every note just wrapped around his soul,
From steel guitars to Memphis, all the way to rock and roll
Oh, I can hear em playin'
I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol guitar
Oh, I can hear em singin',
Downtown is where I used to wander
Old enough to get there but too young to get inside
So I would stand out on the sidewalk,
Listen to the music playin' every Friday night
Oh, I can hear em playin'
I can hear the ringin of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear em singin,
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"
Some dreams stay with you forever,
Drag you around but bring you back to where you were
Some dreams keep on gettin' better,
Gotta keep believin' if you wanna know for sure
Oh, I can hear em playin'
I can hear the ringin of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear em singin',
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"
Oh, I can hear em playin'
I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol' guitar
Oh, I can hear em singin',
"Keep on dreamin, even if it breaks your heart"
Keep on dreamin, even if it breaks your heart
Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, keep on dreamin', oh oh oh
oh oh oh, don't let it break your heart
In "Even If It Breaks Your Heart," Will Hoge reflects on his personal connection to music and the dreams it inspires. The lyrics describe a young child captivated by the sounds of the radio, which ignite a passion for music deep within his being. As he grows older, he continues to pursue his love of music, even though it means standing outside a downtown venue and listening from afar. The song encourages listeners to embrace their dreams, even when they lead to heartbreak.
The first verse sets the stage for the song, as Hoge describes the moment when the fire of his love for music was first lit. The image of a "bright-eyed child" listening to the radio is a powerful one, suggesting the innocence and wonder that music can inspire. The second verse captures the desire that Hoge felt as a teenager to be a part of the music scene, even though he was too young to legally enter the venues where the music was being played. The lyrics depict the downtown scene with an almost cinematic quality: the young people milling about, the sound of the music spilling out onto the street. The chorus offers a message of hope to anyone pursuing their dreams: the notion that they should "keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart." The lyrics recognize that chasing one's dreams can be hard, and that disappointment can be a part of that process. But ultimately, the song encourages resilience and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Way back on the radio dial,
Back in the day, when radios had actual dials,
The fire got lit inside a bright-eyed child
A young and eager child was inspired and motivated,
Every note just wrapped around his soul,
Every musical note touched his soul deeply,
From steel guitars to Memphis, all the way to rock and roll
From the twangy sounds of a steel guitar, to bluesy Memphis music, to the electric energy of rock and roll,
Oh, I can hear em playin'
I can still hear the music playing in my mind,
I can hear the ringin' of a beat up ol guitar
I can vividly hear the sound of a well-loved, well-played guitar,
Oh, I can hear em singin'
The voices of the singers are still alive to me,
"Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart"
A message of encouragement to persist in pursuing your dreams, even if it becomes difficult,
Downtown is where I used to wander
As a young person, I would roam around the city center,
Old enough to get there but too young to get inside
I was old enough to go downtown, but too young to enter some of the venues,
So I would stand out on the sidewalk,
I would often stand outside, listening to the music from the street,
Listen to the music playin' every Friday night
The music was a constant presence every Friday night, something to look forward to every week,
Some dreams stay with you forever,
Certain dreams leave a lasting impression and stay with you your whole life,
Drag you around but bring you back to where you were
These dreams might take you on a wild ride, but ultimately lead you back to where you started,
Some dreams keep on gettin' better,
Other dreams continue to evolve and improve as you chase them,
Gotta keep believin' if you wanna know for sure
In order to truly understand what your dreams are capable of, you have to keep believing and working towards them,
Keep on dreamin', even if it breaks your heart
This is a powerful message that encourages us to never give up on our dreams, even when it is difficult and painful,
Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, keep on dreamin', oh oh oh
A catchy and memorable chorus that serves as a rallying cry to keep chasing your dreams,
oh oh oh, don't let it break your heart
A reminder to stay strong in the face of adversity and never let your dreams break your spirit,
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Eric Paslay, Will Hoge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
haft befehl
love this song *__*
Alt90s
Last year, Will Hoge did Q&A on Twitter. I asked him, "Do you think #eliyoungband stole your thunder or are you getting the recognition u deserve for composing #evenifitbreaksyourheart?" He replied, "not at all. I'm forever in their debt for the opportunities that are coming my way because of them recording that song" If you need proof, I can send you the tweet link
pinchpoint85
Agreed...saw it live last night!
Dawn Moore
I love Eli Young Band, but wow. This is amazing. I have to give more credit to this fella. He owns it. <3
fixedgearforlife
You asked "Why didn't this version become popular?" Simply put, most people don't know what's good for their ears.
Edward Lopez
Both are nice in different ways, but honestly I enjoy this one way more. :)
Richard Temple
not even a heavy country listener and this song is beautiful.
robelinda2
Tom Petty influence i can hear!!!
john WATKINS
Thanks eli band for getting him more exposure.
lukas bach
thank u will hoge