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
July Moon
Will Hoge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But with two flat feet, i'm walkin' with a slow, sweet southern stride.
Carry you across the river,
Gently will i lay you down,
Smell the sweet honeysuckle on the vine
And we'll watch the world keep spinnin' around and 'round.
If you steal away with me tonight,
I ain't got no money, baby, but i'll share with you my dreams.
Sing a little sweet soul music, make the people wanna dance and sing.
But never ever should you worry,
'Cause when the first light of moon shines through,
I'm gonna take my love on a southbound train
And send it right back home to you, mama.
If you steal away with me tonight,
You know that the july moon will be shinin' bright.
Take my hand, i know i need you still,
And it's surely gonna make me smile to hear you say that you will.
I ain't got no pony, got no cadillac to drive,
But with two flat feet i'm walkin', with a slow, sweet southern stride.
Carry you across the river, gently will i lay you down.
I'll make love to you in the tall grass, baby,
And i'll watch the world keep spinnin' around and 'round.
If you steal away with me tonight,
You know that the july moon will be shinin' bright.
Take my hand, i know i need you still,
And it's surely gonna make me smile,
Surely gonna make me smile,
You're surely gonna make me smile.
To hear you say. say. say that you will.
Aw, baby, say that you will.
Ohhh.
The song "July Moon" by Will Hoge is a country love song with a slow tempo and a southern soulful sound. The opening lines of the song, "I ain't got no pony, got no Cadillac to drive, but with two flat feet, I'm walking with a slow, sweet southern stride," suggest that the singer may not have material possessions, but he has a deep sense of purpose and rhythm in his walk. He is confident in his abilities to make the woman he loves happy, even without money or material possessions.
The singer promises to "carry you across the river" and "gently lay you down" while they enjoy the smell of sweet honeysuckle on the vine and watch the world keep spinning around and around. He invites the woman to "steal away with me tonight" under the bright July moon. Despite his lack of financial resources, he's willing to share his dreams with her and sing sweet soul music that makes people want to dance and sing. The singer reassures her that there's no need to worry, because when the first light of the moon shines through, he'll take his love on a southbound train and send it right back home to her.
The song is a romantic and passionate declaration of love from a humble and sincere man who is willing to do anything to make the woman he loves happy. Will Hoge's soulful voice and the country arrangement create a nostalgic atmosphere that takes the listener back to a simpler time when love and happiness were more important than material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't got no pony, got no cadillac to drive,
I don't have any fancy possessions or status symbols.
But with two flat feet, i'm walkin' with a slow, sweet southern stride.
I take pride in my simple way of life and walk with confidence.
Carry you across the river,
I'll be there for you and help you when you need it.
Gently will i lay you down,
I'll be careful and treat you with respect and kindness.
Smell the sweet honeysuckle on the vine
Enjoy the simple pleasures of nature around us.
And we'll watch the world keep spinnin' around and 'round.
We'll take a moment to appreciate the beauty of life and time passing by.
If you steal away with me tonight,
Come with me and take a chance on a spontaneous adventure.
Well don't you know the july moon will be shinin' bright.
The night will be illuminated and magical under the light of the July moon.
I ain't got no money, baby, but i'll share with you my dreams.
I may not have material riches, but I have plans for the future and I'll include you in them.
Sing a little sweet soul music, make the people wanna dance and sing.
Let's enjoy the little things in life, like good music and making memories with others.
But never ever should you worry,
Don't stress or be anxious, I'll take care of you.
'Cause when the first light of moon shines through,
When a new day starts and light shines through, hope will follow.
I'm gonna take my love on a southbound train
I'll dedicate myself to love and do what it takes to make it work.
And send it right back home to you, mama.
I'll cherish you and make sure you feel loved and appreciated.
Take my hand, i know i need you still,
I'll admit that I need you and I value your presence and support.
And it's surely gonna make me smile to hear you say that you will.
Knowing that you feel the same way and are willing to go on this journey with me brings me joy.
I'll make love to you in the tall grass, baby,
I'll show you passion and intimacy in the midst of a natural setting.
Surely gonna make me smile,
This experience will bring me happiness and contentment.
You're surely gonna make me smile.
Having you with me makes me happy and fulfilled.
Aw, baby, say that you will.
I hope you'll agree to come with me and have faith in our future together.
Ohhh.
An expression of sentiment or emotion, feeling fulfilled and content.
Writer(s): Will Hoge
Contributed by Isabella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.