In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Hillbilly Nut
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
cause I was new in Town
I drank up all of their whiskey
I started chasing some woman around
They threw me out of the back door
My head, my hands got cut
Those people, they think I'm a squirrel
I took my Girl to a Dance
The Band was playing Rocking Soul
I asked them if they'd play me a slow one
so me and my Girl could get close
I wanted a song off the jukebox
They act like it never was cut
Those people, they think I'm a squirrel
But I'm a Hillbilly Nut
Today I got a Letter from my Sister
She's asking me when I'll be coming Home
My Mother has said "Settle Down Boy Oh Boy
Cause you come to no good living alone"
Today I found a bar gone Country
and I'm glad cause the door's never shut
Back home, they think I'm a squirrel
But I'm a Hillbilly Nut
You know I'm a Hillbilly Nut
The song "Hillbilly Nut" by Asleep At The Wheel tells the story of a character who is new in town and struggles to fit in with the people around him. He goes to a party where he drinks too much whiskey and chases after women, which leads to him getting thrown out and injured. Despite his rough start, he tries to connect with a girl at a dance but is met with resistance from the band when he requests a slow song. The singer receives a letter from his sister, imploring him to come home and settle down with a good life. However, he finds solace in a country bar where he feels like he finally belongs.
The lyrics of the song are a commentary on the struggle of finding one's identity and place in a new community. The singer feels like an outsider, labeled as a "squirrel" by the people he encounters. He longs for a sense of belonging and connection but is met with resistance and misunderstanding. The song's lyrics suggest that one's identity is not always easy to define and that it can be challenging to fit in with others.
Line by Line Meaning
I was invited to a Party
I received an invitation to attend a party
cause I was new in Town
Because I was new to the town, the people invited me to the party
I drank up all of their whiskey
I drank all of their whiskey at the party
I started chasing some woman around
I began flirting with a woman at the party and pursued her
They threw me out of the back door
They kicked me out of the party through the rear exit
My head, my hands got cut
I injured my head and hands while being thrown out of the party
Those people, they think I'm a squirrel
The people at the party believe that I am crazy or foolish
But I'm a Hillbilly Nut
However, I proudly proclaim myself as a hillbilly nut
I took my Girl to a Dance
I brought my girlfriend to a dance event
The Band was playing Rocking Soul
The band was performing a lively and soulful music genre
I asked them if they'd play me a slow one
I requested the band to play a slow dance track for me and my girlfriend
so me and my Girl could get close
I wanted to dance closely with my girlfriend on a slow song
I wanted a song off the jukebox
I desired a specific song to be played from the jukebox
They act like it never was cut
The people at the dance denied my song request and behaved as if the track doesn't exist
Today I got a Letter from my Sister
Today I received a letter from my sister
She's asking me when I'll be coming Home
She enquired about my return to our home town
My Mother has said "Settle Down Boy Oh Boy
My mother has advised me to settle down and stop my mischiefs
Cause you come to no good living alone"
Because living alone would lead me to no good
Today I found a bar gone Country
Today I discovered a bar with a country vibe and music
and I'm glad cause the door's never shut
I am happy as the bar never closes its doors
Back home, they think I'm a squirrel
In my hometown, the folks consider me foolish and insane
But I'm a Hillbilly Nut
But still, I proudly call myself a hillbilly nut
You know I'm a Hillbilly Nut
I proclaim myself as a hillbilly nut, and it's a matter of fact
Contributed by Micah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.