A Louisville, Kentucky native, Brooks caught the music bug early on. Inspired by his uncle, who was a part of Chicago-based Freddy Jones Band, he began guitar and drum lessons at the age of 9. “My guitar teacher was the earliest, biggest influence - he was the one that got me started songwriting.” Challenged by this guitar teacher to write and perform a song for his grandfather’s annual 4th of July party, Brooks wrote “Texas” - and played the tune to the over 400 in attendance. “It was a terrible song… But I fell in love with writing.” In high school, he really began to take writing seriously. “I would write and record what I’d written in my parents basement. None of it was country, though…” It wasn’t until he met Austin at Murray State that Hoffman’s started dabbling in the genre.
Austin, originally from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, began singing the moment he was born. “I used to watch Shania Twain videos. My mom has photos of me in boots and a hat, singing ‘Any Man of Mine’ into a microphone. It was understood early on - my brother was going to be the politician, I was going to be the singer.” Austin took part in choir and several local musical theater productions, including Aladdin and Lion King. He eventually joined his church band. With his eyes set on the lead spot, Austin picked up a guitar for the first time. “I realized if I wanted to be the front man, I had to play guitar as well. I learned quickly - I give all the credit to Guitar Hero.” It wasn’t until freshman year of college that Austin began writing and, much like Brooks, caught the writing bug in a rather public way. “I wrote a song called ‘Repeat’ for the Western Kentucky State Fair’s Country Showdown. I didn’t win - they thought it sucked - but I was hooked.”
Their worlds collided when both were nominated by their fraternities to take part in Murray State University’s male pageant, Mr. MSU, hosted by a sorority on campus. “I didn’t know anyone backstage - so I saw Austin sitting on the side with his guitar, and introduced myself,” says Brooks. Though the two didn’t immediately work together (“we were part of rival fraternities - it was a bit frowned upon”), they later re-connected and began writing. “I never saw myself writing with anyone else, but I wanted to be bigger musically, so we started working together,” says Austin. The two also booked local shows, playing to friends and building a fanbase. “I remember the first time we saw the marquis sign, with the words streaming across - this Thursday night, SixForty1 - and I thought, that’s so cool,” says Brooks.
The duo caught the attention of Nashville-based manager Alex Torrez, who helped pull together players for the recording of their first EP, which included debut single “Get Your Yeti On” and follow-up “No Rum or Reason.” Though the EP did well regionally, Brooks and Austin found themselves taking jobs in different cities (Brooks in Louisville, Austin in Knoxville). “Nashville was always our end goal - we just didn’t know how to get there. Most of ‘Plane Crazy’ was written over FaceTime,” says Austin.
With the help of a fan-funded campaign, SixForty1 recorded ‘Plane Crazy’ - and gained enough momentum to make the move to Music City. The track sparked interest from Morris Higham Management’s Aaron Keiser, who’s also responsible for Brantley Gilbert’s management. “We’d had interest from a few different managers, but Aaron immediately jumped in and began working for us before we even had a contract signed. It was clear he believed in us - he was the missing piece.”
With a management and a booking deal in place, SixForty1 is currently recording a new EP, due out later this year. As always, their hope is to release music that will stir something in others. “We love people, and we love showing people a good time. That’s what SixForty1 is all about - bringing people together.
Plane Crazy
641 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said there's no sense in hanging around
Had your mind on a bigger place bigger scenes, so your dreams
Booked a first class ticket out to LA who would've thought that they'd take off one day
Packed your bags in the back of the taxi
And rode away in the backseat
You're plane crazy
Got your head in the clouds tryna figure it out how
Everything started falling into place
3000 miles from where you were raised
But that mile high feeling will take off and fly away
You're plane crazy
Traded hometown bonfires in the KC lights
And all the bottles you turned when it didn't turn out right
For the city of Angels
Running with the runway lights
You're plane crazy
30,000ft and you're leaning up on the window seat baby
Got your head in the clouds tryna figure it out how
Everything started falling into place
3000 miles from where you were raised
But that mile high feeling will take off and fly away
You're plane crazy
You're plane crazy
I'm praying on a storm to hit
Baby you know that I ain't gonna quit
Don't be surprised if I come storming into
The flight terminal tellin you
Girl you're crazy
30,000ft and you're leaning up on the window seat baby
Got your head in the clouds tryna figure it out how
Everything started falling into place
3000 miles from where you were raised
But that mile high feeling will take off and fly away
Yeah that mile high feeling will take off and fly away
You're plane crazy
You're plane crazy
Now you're taking off
You're taking off baby
The lyrics to "Plane Crazy" by 641 tell the story of someone who has always dreamt of leaving their small town and seeking a bigger life and brighter opportunities. They book a first-class ticket to Los Angeles, leaving their old life behind, and as they sit in the backseat of a taxi, they can't help but feel excited about the new chapter they are about to embark on.
The phrase "plane crazy" represents the exhilarating feeling of being thousands of feet above the ground, looking out the window and reflecting on how everything fell into place for them. The singer is leaning against the window seat, lost in their thoughts and trying to make sense of how their dreams are finally becoming a reality. They are overwhelmed by the journey they have taken, being 3,000 miles away from the place they grew up.
The lyrics also touch on the sacrifices made by leaving behind hometown memories and relationships. The person traded in bonfires and personal disappointments for the bright lights of Kansas City and the allure of Los Angeles. They are running with the runway lights, symbolizing their embrace of the city's opportunities.
The chorus reinforces the idea of being "plane crazy" as a metaphor for the overwhelming feeling of achievement and excitement. It emphasizes that the singer will not give up on their dreams, even if it means storming into the flight terminal to prove their dedication.
Overall, the lyrics capture the excitement, determination, and drive of someone who dares to take a chance on their dreams, leaving behind everything they know in the pursuit of something greater.
Line by Line Meaning
Always wanted to get out of this town
You've always desired to leave this small town
Said there's no sense in hanging around
You believed that staying here serves no purpose
Had your mind on a bigger place bigger scenes, so your dreams
You were envisioning a larger city with greater opportunities, where your dreams could flourish
Booked a first class ticket out to LA who would've thought that they'd take off one day
You purchased a luxurious ticket to Los Angeles, not expecting that someday you would truly take off and succeed
Packed your bags in the back of the taxi
You packed all your belongings in the rear of a taxi
And rode away in the backseat
You departed, sitting in the rear seat of the taxi
You're plane crazy
You're totally obsessed with planes and the idea of flying
30,000ft and you're leaning up on the window seat baby
At an altitude of 30,000 feet, you're leaning against the window seat, my dear
Got your head in the clouds tryna figure it out how
You're lost in thought, trying to comprehend how everything fell into place
Everything started falling into place
Everything began to align perfectly
3000 miles from where you were raised
You're now 3000 miles away from your hometown
But that mile high feeling will take off and fly away
However, that euphoric feeling of being high in the sky will eventually fade away
Traded hometown bonfires in the KC lights
You exchanged local bonfires for the bright lights of Kansas City
And all the bottles you turned when it didn't turn out right
And all the alcohol you consumed when things didn't go as planned
For the city of Angels
In exchange for the glamorous city of Los Angeles
Running with the runway lights
You're now living a fast-paced lifestyle, reminiscent of the lights on a runway
I'm praying on a storm to hit
I'm hoping for a storm to occur
Baby you know that I ain't gonna quit
Darling, you know I won't give up
Don't be surprised if I come storming into
The flight terminal tellin you
Don't be shocked if I burst into the airport, telling you
Girl you're crazy
Girl, you're extremely passionate and determined
Now you're taking off
Now you're embarking on your journey
You're taking off baby
You're ready to soar, my love
Lyrics © DistroKid, Songtrust Ave
Written by: AUSTIN BLAKE GEE, LOGAN A GARNER, WILLIAM BROOKS II HOFFMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind