Smoke Man is the debut single from Ontario-based Owen Riegling. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Mildmay, Ontario released Smoke Man in July of this year.
Riegling spent the last year at OIART for Music Production and Smoke Man happens to be a culmination of the process of writing music and getting it to release. Classmates from the Music Production program are featured on the track, contributing background singing, drums, and bass.
Rielging appreciates outlaw country, noted through his love for Eric Church. He also sites influence from Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, and Brothers Osborne. How has this translated to his own sound? Smoke Man is a rich infusion of outlaw and bluegrass-folk country. What makes this song unique is while it blends some very traditional works, it still has a place among any other contemporary country song- it’s unique, but relevant.
Smoke Man is very much a testament to the wanderer’s soul; a little bit lonely, headed in no particular direction. It resonates with that part of us looking for what else is out there. Smoke Man is a representation of a lot of things to listeners; past lives and selves, life events that have influenced who people become, and much more.
You can check out Smoke Man, along with Owen Riegling’s latest release, “Hot One” on Apple Music, Spotify and more.
Listen to “Smoke Man”
“Smoke Man” Lyrics by Owen Riegling
Smoke man wanna be my friend I can feel you creeping up on me
I’m tired of being alone I could use a little company
Sunrise fades to sunset
Some things in this life I regret
Drag me through the smoke and flame
But you’ll never throw me down put that on my name
‘til the coroner lays me in my pinewood home I roll on
Smoke man every now and again i can feel you at night when I roam
Gypsy took my little bit of money and she ran like hell back home
Sunrise fades to sunset
Some things in this life I regret
Drag me through the smoke and flame
But you’ll never throw me down put that on my name
‘til the coroner lays me in my pinewood home I roll on
Times are changing, so am I
When you come to find me hope you’re blind
When my time is good as gone and the north bound is hauling me home
I hope I had time to rewrite all my wrongs, all my wrong
Drag me through the smoke and flame
But you’ll never throw me down put that on my name
‘til the coroner lays me in my pinewood home I roll on
Drag me through the smoke and flame
But you’ll never throw me down put that on my name
‘til the coroner lays me in my pinewood home I roll on
The coroner lays me in my pinewood home I roll on
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
