Born in … Read Full Bio ↴Aaron Tippin (born July 3, 1958) is a country music singer.
Born in Pensacola, Florida, but raised in upstate South Carolina, Tippin performed in local honky-tonks in the 1970s. He competed on TNN's "You Can Be A Star" talent contest in 1986, landed a song publishing contract and moved to Nashville in 1987. During this time he wrote songs for The Kingsmen, David Ball, The Midsouth Boys, Mark Collie, and Charlie Pride. He would spend his nights working at a mill in Kentucky and spend his days driving 60 miles to Nashville to write songs.
Tippin performed his first Nashville nightclub show in 1990, and it earned him a contract with RCA records. His first single, "You've Got to Stand for Something", cracked the top 10 in 1991 and allowed him to go to the Persian Gulf with Bob Hope, to entertain the troops. Then, in 1992, Aaron's single "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With the Radio" stayed at No. 1 for three weeks.
In 1995, Tippin married Thea Corontzos, and he, Thea, and his manager, Billy Craven, created Tippin's company, Tip Top Entertainment. Tippin also opened two hunting supply stores called Aaron Tippin Firearms. One is located close to where he lives in Smithville, Tennessee, and the other run by his father in Oak City, North Carolina.
In 1998, Tippin moved to Lyric Street Records and charted a No.1 hit with "Kiss This", co-written with his wife Thea in 2000. In the wake of 9/11, his patriotic anthem, "Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly", peaked at No. 2. Both songs crossed over onto the Hot 100 charts; in fact, "Stars And Stripes" was his biggest crossover hit.
In 2006, Tippin started up his own record label, Nippit Records; the label's name is "Tippin" spelled backwards.
Other facts
* Survived lightning strikes on (at least) seven different occasions.
* Was granted pilot licence when he was 15
I Got It Honest
Aaron Tippin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It ain't that much diff'rent from any other house on the block
And it may not look like we got all our share of the promise
But at least one thing's for sure, I got it honest
Roll out of the sack every mornin', head on down to the mill
Give 'em all I got for eight, 'cause that's the deal
If you'll check out my paycheck
But ev'ry single penny I'm paid, I got it honest
I never had to hang my head in shame
For puttin' a price tag on my name
Never turned my back on what I believe
Or let my heart be ruled by greed
'Cause buddy if I didn't earn it, I don't want it
That way I can always say, I got it honest
Now you ain't looking at some dude
That was born with a Silver spoon in his mouth
And I might seem like some kind of low-life
To that highfalutin' crowd
But I'm plain spoken, straight talkin'
And damn proud of what I have accomplished
Some folks appreciate that and some don't
But, I got it honest
Now when I die, I may not leave my kids a fortune
But I hope they know'd my life stood for things that were important
And I'll hand out the same sturdy old values of my daddy and my momma
It made me every ounce of what I am and I got it honest
I never had to hang my head in shame
For puttin' a price tag on my name
Never turned my back on what I believe
Or let my heart be ruled by greed
'Cause brother if I didn't earn it, I don't want it
That way I can always say, I got it honest
Friend there ain't no doubt about it, I got it honest
The song "I Got it Honest" by Aaron Tippin narrates the life of a man who is proud of where he came from and what he has accomplished. He describes his small frame house and how it may not look like much, but it's what he has earned honestly. He talks about his job at the mill and how he gives it his all every day because he knows the value of hard work. He may not make a lot of money, but every penny on his paycheck is earned honestly. The man talks about how he never puts a price tag on his name or lets greed rule his heart. He is proud of what he has accomplished and hopes to pass on the same values to his children that his parents passed on to him.
The song celebrates the idea of working hard, being honest, and standing by your beliefs. The man may not have inherited a fortune or been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he has achieved what he has through hard work and integrity. The song also acknowledges the importance of family values and how they shape who we are as individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't nothin' but a small frame house on an acre lot
The house we live in may not be big or fancy, just a small frame house on a lot of land
It ain't that much diff'rent from any other house on the block
Our house looks a lot like the other houses in our neighborhood
And it may not look like we got all our share of the promise
We might not have everything we want or need, despite promises or expectations
But at least one thing's for sure, I got it honest
No matter what, I know that everything I have earned or accomplished has been done honestly
Roll out of the sack every mornin', head on down to the mill
Every morning I wake up and go to work at the mill
Give 'em all I got for eight, 'cause that's the deal
I work hard for eight hours, because that's what I agreed to do
If you'll check out my paycheck
If you look at how much I'm paid for my work
Well, you'll see that there ain't that much on it
You'll realize that I don't make a lot of money
But ev'ry single penny I'm paid, I got it honest
Despite my modest income, I know that every penny I make is earned through hard, honest work
I never had to hang my head in shame
I have never felt ashamed of my actions or decisions
For puttin' a price tag on my name
I have never compromised my integrity or values for money or personal gain
Never turned my back on what I believe
I have always stayed true to my beliefs and morals
Or let my heart be ruled by greed
I have never been motivated purely by greed or the desire for money
'Cause buddy if I didn't earn it, I don't want it
If I haven't earned something through honest work or effort, I don't want it
That way I can always say, I got it honest
By only taking what I have earned honestly, I can always say that I have achieved everything honestly
Now you ain't looking at some dude
You might not think highly of me
That was born with a Silver spoon in his mouth
I wasn't born into a wealthy or privileged family
And I might seem like some kind of low-life
You might see me as someone who is not successful or prominent in society
To that highfalutin' crowd
To wealthy or powerful people who think they are better than me
But I'm plain spoken, straight talkin'
I communicate honestly and directly
And damn proud of what I have accomplished
I am extremely proud of everything I have achieved through my hard work
Some folks appreciate that and some don't
Some people value honesty and hard work, while others do not
Now when I die, I may not leave my kids a fortune
When I die, I might not have a lot of wealth to leave to my children
But I hope they know'd my life stood for things that were important
I hope my children understand that my life was focused on important values and morals
And I'll hand out the same sturdy old values of my daddy and my momma
I will pass on the same values that my parents instilled in me
It made me every ounce of what I am and I got it honest
Those values shaped me into the person I am today, and everything I have achieved has been done honestly
Friend there ain't no doubt about it, I got it honest
In conclusion, I am confident that everything I have earned and achieved has been done honestly
Lyrics © CALHOUN ENTERPRISES LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURCH, JOHNSON, TIPPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@certifieddirtyidle1594
This is a great song to live by. I'm 17 and many of the other kids my age don't understand this. I appreciate those who work hard and make an honest living. Unfortunately the honest generation is aging and dying off, I want be part of the few that will keep it going.
@Geoff_G
Stick to that thought. You'll make it.
@apriladams3811
I just want to tell you that if you do. Then you will have more than money can by standing up for what is right and doing honest work and to work and stand on your own two feet. And everything you have is due to the fact you got up everyday you went to work. You got what you have cause you worked honest for it. See one thing I can say the Best feeling I have is knowing That NOONE can say This ( Well if it wasnt for me she wouldnt have that )
The Accomplishment ! One thing if someone does wrong to you. Dont let what one person does make you think others are that way .Be you, always be you! I have worked hard for everything i have its been hard but i kept going I never gave up and there were times i had nothing .But i asked noone for help. I wanted to prove to myself I could make it on my own and I did and I might not have brand new stuff but what i have i worked for and its mine and im proud of what i have and this song is right it dont matter what people have but it does matter how they got it .and You are respected for who you are and what you stand by that is right and you help others without asking for something in return. You stand by your word always and be trustworthy .if you lose respect and trust .you cant buy it back .your going to be ok .We can survive .We are those that can make a difference
@seanfee4498
I'm 18 and I never take a handout everything I have is from me working my ass off to get it and I will never be ashamed in living in a way that's rare getting it honest is better than a handout anyday
@cynthiawing5740
This song describes me to a fault. Over earned everything I have by hard work and dedication. And since I've become disabled it's hard but I stand by the line if I didn't earn it I don't want it. I'll go without cause I didn't get it honest. It's hard to find folks that are that way in this day and age. Go Aaron your music is amazing
@jasonguerra3763
I felt like this guy shaped my life with his music and proud of it
@wolf_lover8736
This is an amazing song and this is how i was raised and this song speaks alot of truth and i am 15 but i love listening to songs like this because it gives you a good way to live . It's sad that others don't believe this way.
@pallmall5495
This man has so many hits about the working man , I think it shows he is a hard working man himself.
@jamesfrank5417
This song doesn't just only fit and describe my grandpa but my sister's husband who is my bother in law.
@jamesfrank5417
It also describes most my brother in laws family.