Country Boy
Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes Lyrics

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I may look like a city slicker,
Shinin' up through his shoes.
Underneath I'm just a cotton picker,
Pickin' out a mess of blues
Show me where I start.
Find a horse and cart.
I'm just a country boy,
Country boy at heart.

I may look like a bank teller,
Pushing facts in a file.
But I'd rather be a haul collar,
Shooing foot home in style.
Show me where I start.
Find a horse and cart.
I'm just a country boy,
Country boy at heart.
Instrumental.
I may look like a city slicker,
Shinin' up through his shoes.
Underneath I'm just a cotton picker,
Pickin' out a mess of blues.
Show me where I start.
Find a horse and cart.

I'm just a country boy,
Country boy at heart.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes' "Country Boy" describe the dual nature of the singer's identity. On the surface, he may appear to be a sophisticated city-dweller, with shiny shoes and a job in a bank. However, underneath he identifies himself as a rural "cotton picker," longing for a simple life with a horse and cart.

The singer contrasts the mundanity and monotony of his city job with his fantasy of being a "haul collar," relishing the hard work and independent spirit of country life. Through this, the song emphasizes the inner drive and ambition that lies beneath the surface appearance of the singer.

Overall, the lyrics of "Country Boy" celebrate the rural lifestyle and the resilience of those who identify with it, while also acknowledging the challenges of reconciling that identity with the pressures of modern society.

Line by Line Meaning

I may look like a city slicker,
Despite my appearance, I am not a sophisticated urbanite.

Shinin' up through his shoes.
Dressing well does not change my country roots.

Underneath I'm just a cotton picker,
My heart is rooted in farming and the simple life associated with it.

Pickin' out a mess of blues
Despite its challenges, I will always be drawn to the soulful sound of the blues.

Show me where I start.
Guide me in the right direction, so I can embrace my country upbringing.

Find a horse and cart.
Give me the tools necessary to fully embrace my country roots.

I'm just a country boy,
Regardless of my appearance, I will always identify as a rural individual.

Country boy at heart.
Even if I cannot physically live in the country, it will always be a part of who I am.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: KENNY LEE SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Paul Sexton

17y

Outstanding guitar player!!

Jostein Gulbrandsen

13y

Amazing!

leen valstar

12y

Definitely THE best guitar player of the world!

Will Fly

17y

I've seen Albert play this on several occasions - and never the same solos twice! I think this version is also probably the fastest... also seen him in Clapton's band (many years ago), as part of the Everley Brothers backing band, with Hogan's Heroes and most recently with Bill Wyman's Rhythm KIngs. Never puts a note wrong and always plays with taste.

max keilson

17y

man do i love that EBMM too bad they dont make em in lefty!

YesOuiSi

16y

It never ceases to amaze me how sharp this guy stays on the fretboard. The delay boogie he does after the piano solo is especially fast. He plays fast dry; but to time the playing to a slap-back delay at that speed is MIND BOGGLING. It's no wonder that Eric Clapton, Steve Morse, Danny Gatton among many others all say Albert is the most talented guitar player in the world. I'd have to agree in my own humble opinion.

vikingraider1

17y

I saw Albert Lee in Woolwich, London back in the late 1980s and he was absolutely amazing. Even if he does look like Barry Manilow in a dodgey wig!! LOL!

artemissssss

16y

Consider the circumstances, they're playing live in a TV-show in front of an audience. I guess anyone who doesn't eat barb wire for breakfast would be just a little nervous... When Albert announces the song, he sounds almost like "whoaa-whaddam-I-doin-here???" He's so f... humble you just must love the guy. And next he just blows everybody away with his guitar. Just like that. Yehaa!

txlongarm

17y

I'd like to see Yngwie Malmsteen play that. This is a thing called picking. Those "shredders" of rock couldn't touch this.

SconeMason

17y

Simply the best. The great thing about Albert is that along with the astonishing technique, everything he plays is very melodic and musical. No wanking just to show off, it's all appropriate for the song.

Jack Reilly

12y

this is the fastest ive heard him play it and he doesnt miss a beat demonstartes his faultless technique

Adam Sen

15y

country players are so under rated these days, people like kirk hammet are nothing compared to albert lee!

Jbs Media

How very true

JackFeelsNerves

13y

I've been to many of Albert's gigs and talked with him afterwards at several. His playing is really in another league. The band is not named after Gerry Hogan btw, although he and Gerry have played together for many years.

Paul Sparrow

15y

It is from John Prine's "town and Country" TV program it was recorded in 1990 I think, at least that is what Gerry Hogan says, and I guess he would know.

Paul Sparrow

16y

Don't make the mistake of thinking Albert is just country, he plays with Eric Clapton and in Bill Wymans band as well as the Everly Brothers band and with Emmylou Harris,I've also seen him playing classical stuff.

cuzinkevin

17y

It is great to Albert out front for a change although he is not as good looking as Emmylou ;) Albert is the best, may not be as cool as Clapton but he is the man. Thanks for the video, I have him playing this on CD but it is good to see the master at work.

Mick Hutchinson

13y

Brilliant

Paul Sparrow

17y

You are truly a man of good taste, hughbourn.

Rick Lu

16y

NICE

Michel Petry

15y

Véio do diabo toca pra caralhooo!!! FUCKKK!!!

Paul Sparrow

13y

@Django5198 Yes, Albert always has time for everyone, a modest genius.

Dean Wright

14y

@ThomGaetano You should see him work a piano!

fretkillrlives

Albert Lee is one of my favorite super pickers but I'd like to point out that at the four minute mark he clicks on a delay line to play part of his solo. You're hearing double stops that would be impossible to play that quickly without using the slap back Echo effect.

SteveSbc406

12y

@anycolouryouwant He did? At what time/s exactly?

leen valstar

12y

I love huis

Hernan Gonzalez

16y

write "hernan gonzalez country boy" it's amazing!!

UISTMAN59

Speed is not everything :-(

BigBoiJC

16y

Ricky did it and he did it faster than this. listen to the studio cut off the album of the same name. of course he used dang near everything albert lee cooked up on this song.

BigBoiJC

16y

this comment wasn't made to knock albert. he is waaay beyond legendary. here's a new ratings scale for guitar players! take the guitar back to the store you bought it from(very poor). set up as close to an exit as you can get(poor). play it in your bedroom or for other family members or close friends(average). keep practicin' kid...you've got talent (good). sweeeeet(very good). we need a guitar player (great). oh WOW (legend) OMG it's ALBERT LEE (ALBERT LEE).

BigBoiJC

16y

where?

Fitzliputzli23

14y

what the f...??!!

SteveSbc406

12y

@elcaporale He's good, but it's not amazing. He's nowhere near as good as Albert Lee is. Albert is playing way faster, and way more technical.

anycolouryouwant

16y

he fucked up the into bigtime

BigBoiJC

16y

I'm sorry but those who tend to talk quite a bit may not have the talent they say they have so you just keep talking.....or prove you have the talent and shut us up. numbers mean nothing to us bud...proof's in the pudding.