If you’ve ever questioned your ability, failed, had your confidence shaken or been told you can’t do something to the point where, against your better judgment, you almost believe that then I’ve got just the thing for you…
Dark Horse.
Track #3 on the new Aaron Watson album Red Bandana.
If you’ve read my stuff for any length of time or heard me speak, you’ve heard me talk about my respect for Aaron. Not merely his music, but his journey, his team and their business model.
I have more respect for them than any other organization, corporation, brand or entrepreneur out there. And make no mistake about it, musicians are the ultimate entrepreneurs. In order to succeed, they bet on themselves to an extent that is unparalleled in perhaps any other industry.
That’s precisely what Aaron and his team have done. Time and time again. And it’s absolutely what you need to do too. Which is why you owe it to yourself to listen to this song.
WAIT.
I take that back. That’s underselling its value and importance.
You owe it to yourself to absorb every word of the lyrics until it becomes part of your mindset.
It will speak to you.
With opening lyrics like:
This one goes out to the dreamer always out there aiming high
Don’t you let ’em clip your wings or say that you can’t fly
This one goes out to the loser losing time and time again
And time again keeps on believing that someday they’re gonna win
When nobody knows your name, nobody knows your face
Everybody counts you out long before you start that race
You can let ’em place their bets, let ’em laugh and drink their wine
Let ’em eat their words when you’re first to the finish line.
And a chorus that’s like a pregame pep talk…
Today’s your day in the sun
You’re rolling like a young gun
And now it’s your time to ride
Let your dark horse run
No, they can’t measure your heart
They can’t tear you apart
You’re finally catching your stride
Let your dark horse run
Through the fire and barbed wire
You’re a runaway train, there’s no turning back
And then the lyrics that prompted me to hit pause, call my daughters into the room and replay the whole song for them…
This one goes out to the girls: go show the world you can
Never let ’em hold you back just because you aren’t a man.
This one goes out to those underdogs who aren’t afraid to bite
Change the game, break the chain, get off that porch and fight.
Then the song takes a real personal turn and Watson shares his challenges in the music industry. I won’t spoil the surprise, you’ll have to listen to the song to get that part.
My best advice is buy the whole album. And play this track on repeat every morning until you find as Aaron likes to say “that healthy chip on your shoulder”.
Here’s the iTunes link for all you digital consumers.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/red-bandana/1458667753?app=itunes
And to get some very cool, unique packages w/ the album, visit:
https://store.aaronwatson.com/red-bandana
P.S. It’s the #1 album on the iTunes country music chart this week.