Raised in Dallas, Texas, Ramsey graduated from Highland Park High School in 1969, and was a prominent baritone in the school's Lads and Lassies Choir. In his senior year, he played a leading role in the musical Carousel. He released the critically acclaimed album, Willis Alan Ramsey, in 1972 on the Shelter label. The album included "Muskrat Candlelight" which was covered (under the title "Muskrat Love") by America in 1973 and by Captain & Tennille in 1976.[
His 1972 self-titled record Willis Alan Ramsey was the only album he ever recorded. Ramsey didn’t overdose on pills or die in a plane crash; he chose to walk away from the music industry on his own undisclosed terms and hasn't been back in the recording studio for decades. According to an article that appeared in The Dallas Morning News on September 16, 2009, Ramsey is prepping his second LP, titled Gentilly, for release sometime in early 2010.
Willis Alan Ramsey opens with a teary-eyed confessional (“The Ballad of Spider John”) about a drifter who reflects on all his past misdeeds. This sets the tone for most of what follows. Although there are a couple of upbeat tunes, Ramsey's self-titled debut is mostly a melancholy and introspective affair. The subdued subject matter suits Ramsey’s honeyed voice, however, which coats the music in a quiet warmth that provides a nice, relaxing listen. It's an interesting bridge between the country world and the aforementioned singer-songwriters, fitting in nicely with the other 1970s albums of its ilk, such as Joni Mitchell's Blue and Cat Steven's Teaser and the Firecat. Like those seminal works, you can hear the artist yearning for the lost romanticism that ruled the decade before; he's accepted the demise of the hippie dream, fearful for the future, and sadly reflective for the present.
His ode to Woody Guthrie (“Boy from Oklahoma”) manages to be endearing without being overcome by maudlin sentiment, and the not-quite-country, not-quite-rock vibe of “Northeast Texas Women” is like a burst of sunshine.
Watermelon Man
Willis Alan Ramsey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don’t want your turnip greens
I think that I’ll pass up the cornbread
’Cause a piece of watermelon is what I need.
And it’s so strong ’cause it’s been so long
Since I’ve tasted that dear forbidden fruit.
And my heart sighs as I realize
And I’m a watermelon man
I can see you, bright eyes
I can see your smile
What more could I ask
What more could I ask
Let’s go find the covers
Back porch summer’s dream
I can’t think of many others
That can eat their watermelon the way that they please
And it’s a new day,
Watermelons waste away,
And the sun is startin’ to rise up over the hill
But it’s all right
I haven’t lost my appetite
And you know that I’m eatin’ those wasted watermelons still
Yes, I am
And I’m a watermelon man
Yes, I’m a watermelon man.
In the song Watermelon Man by Willis Alan Ramsey, the singer expresses his desire for a piece of watermelon over other traditional Southern foods like pork chops, turnip greens, and cornbread. He describes his craving for watermelon as a "dear forbidden fruit" that he hasn't been able to taste in a long time. As he anticipates the approaching "watermelon time," his heart sighs with excitement. The singer also mentions a woman, someone with bright eyes and a smile that he can see. He suggests they find a back porch to enjoy their watermelons during a summer dream.
The song captures the essence of the South, where watermelons are a staple during the summer months. It also symbolizes the importance of indulging in simple pleasures and enjoying the moment. The singer's love for watermelon may represent something deeper, such as nostalgia or a longing for a simpler time. The lyrics are clear and straightforward, yet they evoke a sense of warmth and comfort that listeners can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Home I don’t want your pork chops
I don't want your food, I'm looking for something specific
I don’t want your turnip greens
I don't want anything else you have to offer
I think that I’ll pass up the cornbread
I'm not interested in anything else you're offering
’Cause a piece of watermelon is what I need.
I am craving watermelon
And it’s so strong ’cause it’s been so long
My desire for watermelon is strong because I haven't had it in a while
Since I’ve tasted that dear forbidden fruit.
Since I last had watermelon, which I'm referring to as a beloved, forbidden fruit
And my heart sighs as I realize
I am longing for watermelon, and it makes me feel emotional
That that watermelon time is a-gettin’ due
It's been long enough, it's time for me to have watermelon
And I’m a watermelon man
I'm known for my love of watermelon
I can see you, bright eyes
I am noticing your beauty
I can see your smile
I am taking note of your happiness
What more could I ask
I am content in this moment
Let’s go find the covers
Let's find a private spot to enjoy watermelon together
Back porch summer’s dream
This is a nostalgic moment where we can enjoy the simple pleasures of summer
I can’t think of many others
I am grateful to be enjoying watermelon with you
That can eat their watermelon the way that they please
Not everyone can indulge in watermelon like we can
And it’s a new day,
A new day has begun
Watermelons waste away,
Watermelons will only last so long
And the sun is startin’ to rise up over the hill
Morning is approaching
But it’s all right
I'm not worried about anything, everything is okay
I haven’t lost my appetite
I still have an appetite for watermelon
And you know that I’m eatin’ those wasted watermelons still
I am still enjoying watermelons that might have been otherwise wasted
Yes, I am
I am indeed the watermelon man
And I’m a watermelon man
I am proud of my love for watermelon
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.