Ned LeDoux – Upside of the Ground: When Death Isn’t the Scariest Part
“Upside of the Ground” stands as one of the most striking and thought-provoking songs in Ned LeDoux’s catalog. As the son of legendary cowboy and singer Chris LeDoux, Ned is no stranger to hardship, heartbreak, or dusty backroads. But this song feels different. It doesn’t celebrate rodeos, whiskey nights, or small-town pride—it quietly honors the simple miracle of being alive.
What Does “Upside of the Ground” Really Mean?
The phrase “Upside of the Ground” is a gritty cowboy way of saying: “I’m still alive.” For Ned, life isn’t about the thrill—it’s about survival. And survival, especially after personal tragedy, becomes a deeply spiritual act.
Though the song doesn’t explicitly mention it, the emotional undercurrent is clearly tied to the heartbreaking loss of Ned’s young daughter Haven in 2019. That tragedy reshaped his music, his soul, and perhaps even his reason to keep singing. In “Upside of the Ground,” we hear a man quietly holding onto the most fragile hope: to keep going.
🎵 A Sound Born from the Soil
Musically, the song is sparse and rooted. Acoustic guitar, soft percussions, and Ned’s dusty baritone voice carry a sense of solitude. There’s no glitter, no glamor—just honesty. This is music carved from the landscape of Wyoming, meant to be heard on long drives through open plains.
👨🌾 The Spirit of the West
This isn’t just a song—it’s a quiet prayer for all the working folks who wake up before sunrise, who’ve seen hard winters, and buried friends too soon. The Western ethos lives on in Ned: courage, resilience, and unfiltered truth. His father Chris once sang about broncs and rodeos—Ned sings about what comes after the crowd is gone.
💬 The Line That Haunts
“Some folks don’t know they’re lucky / Till they’re six feet in the ground.”
That one line pierces deep. It’s a reminder that many of us take life for granted—until it’s too late to cherish it.