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
Too Old To Die Young
Will Hoge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lit the fuse and I held on tight
Every day was a Friday night
And I've got the scars to prove it
It all blew up at 25
Saw those telephone poles flyin' by
And I don't remember much that night,
I'm just lucky I got through it.
And I let it run like an open vein
Love the pleasure and curse the pain
Ohh, foolish things I've done
I'm too old now to die young.
Woke up alone at 35
Just across town from my ex wife
I get my two kids every Friday night
And I work all week to do it.
Their mama and me couldn't work it out
Oh but that don't seem to matter now
They're all that I care about
And I've got their love to prove it.
And I let it run like an open vein
Love the pleasure and curse the pain
Ohh, foolish things I've done
I'm too old now to die young.
And I let it run like an open vein
Love the pleasure and curse the the pain
Ohh, foolish things I've done
And I never thought I'd make it here
Wish I could live another hundred years
Ohh, foolish the things I've done
But I'm too old now to die young
I'm too old now to die young
Oh, too old now to die young.
The lyrics of Will Hoge's song "Too Old To Die Young" depict the journey of a person reflecting on the reckless and wild days of their youth and how they have evolved and grown older. The song begins by reminiscing about their younger self, filled with a spirit of adventure and living life to the fullest. The singer acknowledges that during that time, they embraced risk and indulged in pleasures without much consideration for consequences. The scars they bear serve as physical reminders of the intensity and carefree nature of their youth.
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the present. At 35 years old, the singer finds themselves waking up alone, separated from their ex-wife. Despite the failed relationship, the singer sees their two children as the most important aspect of their life. They work hard all week to provide for their kids and cherish the love they receive from them.
The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing the acceptance that age has caught up with the singer. They acknowledge their past mistakes and the foolishness they engaged in during youth. They reflect on the pleasure and pain experienced along the way, knowing that they cannot relive those times. Although they never anticipated reaching this point, they express gratitude for their current stage in life, wishing they could live a hundred more years.
Overall, "Too Old To Die Young" is a contemplative song that captures the transition from a reckless youth to a more responsible adulthood. It encapsulates the journey of growing older, learning from past mistakes, and finding solace in the love and commitment of family.
Line by Line Meaning
Eighteen was a rocket ride
Being eighteen years old felt like a thrilling and fast-paced journey.
I lit the fuse and I held on tight
I indulged in excitement and took risks, gripping onto life with all my strength.
Every day was a Friday night
Every day felt like a joyful and carefree celebration.
And I've got the scars to prove it
I have physical and emotional wounds from the experiences I've lived.
It all blew up at 25
Everything fell apart when I reached the age of 25.
Saw those telephone poles flyin' by
I was in such a chaotic state that even the simplest things appeared to be passing by in a blur.
And I don't remember much that night
I have little recollection of what happened during that particular night.
I'm just lucky I got through it
I feel fortunate to have survived that difficult period in my life.
And I let it run like an open vein
I allowed my emotions and experiences to flow freely, even if it caused pain and vulnerability.
Love the pleasure and curse the pain
I appreciate the joy that comes with life's pleasures but also endure the hardships and sorrow they bring.
Ohh, foolish things I've done
Regretting the unwise decisions I have made.
I'm too old now to die young
I have reached a point in life where I no longer have the luxury or desire to live recklessly or prematurely end my life.
Woke up alone at 35
At the age of 35, I found myself waking up without a partner or loved one beside me.
Just across town from my ex-wife
Living near my former spouse, but no longer together.
I get my two kids every Friday night
I have custody of my two children and spend quality time with them every Friday evening.
And I work all week to do it
Throughout the week, I put in the effort and labor to fulfill my responsibilities as a parent.
Their mama and me couldn't work it out
Despite our best efforts, their mother and I were unable to make our relationship successful.
Oh but that don't seem to matter now
However, that doesn't affect the deep love and care I have for my children.
They're all that I care about
My children have become the sole focus and priority of my life.
And I've got their love to prove it
I have the affection and devotion of my children as evidence of the love and connection we share.
And I never thought I'd make it here
I never anticipated reaching this stage in life given the challenges and mistakes I have faced.
Wish I could live another hundred years
Expressing a desire for an extended lifetime to continue cherishing the precious moments and relationships.
Ohh, foolish the things I've done
Reflecting on the unwise choices and actions of my past.
But I'm too old now to die young
Although I have made mistakes, I have matured and no longer seek a premature or reckless end to my life.
I'm too old now to die young
I have grown older and wiser, no longer desiring a premature or impulsive death.
Oh, too old now to die young
Expressing the same sentiment, emphasizing that the singer has surpassed the age where early death holds any appeal.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dylan Altman, Will Hoge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind