Spears moved from Texas to Nashville in 1964. She earned a Capitol Records contract in 1968. Her first hit was 1969's "Mr. Walker, It's All Over."
Spears won country fans over with her tough, bluesy style; however, it was not until 1975's "Blanket on the Ground" that she broke through to major stardom. The song hit number one on the country charts in the United States. The song did well in the United Kingdom, as well; the song climbed into the top five in the pop hits there.
Spears' followed up "Blanket on the Ground" with the top ten "What I've Got In Mind." "What I've Got in Mind" did even better in the United Kingdom, turning out to be a second top 5 British hit for her across the sea.
Spears had successes with "Misty Blue," "'57 Chevrolet," "Love Ain't Gonna Wait For Us," "If You Want Me," and others. 1981's remake of Tammy Wynette's 1960s hit, "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad," was Spear's last voyage into America's country top 20.
Her Greatest Hits album was a top 10 best seller, and furthered her fan base.
By the mid-1980s, her success in the United States had tapered off. However, she retained a following in the U.K., recording a number of albums for the British market that had limited or no release in America. This level of fame in Britain was summed up by the the magazine entitled Country Music People during the 1990s when an article described Spears as "The Queen Mother of Country music."
In 2005, Spears released the album "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry".
Country Girl
Billie Jo Spears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said goodbye to city friends, department stores and bars
The lights of town are at my back, my heart is full of stars
And I'm gonna be a country girl again
I spent some time in study, oh, I've taken my degrees
I memorized my formulae, my A's and B's and C's
But what I know came long ago and not from such as these
Oh yes, I'm gonna be a country girl again
With an old brown dog and a big front porch and rabbits in the pen
I tell you all the lights on Broadway don't amount to an acre o' green
And I'm gonna be a country girl again
I've wandered in the hearts of men, looking for the sign
That here I might learn happines, I might learn peace of mind
The one that taught my lesson was the south wind through the pines
And I'm gonna be a country girl again
Oh yes, I'm gonna be a country girl again
With an old brown dog and a big front porch and rabbits in the pen
I tell you all the lights on Broadway don't amount to an acre o' green
And I'm gonna be a country girl again
Oh yes, I'm gonna be a country girl again
With an old brown dog and a big front porch and rabbits in the pen
I tell you all the lights on Broadway don't amount to an acre o' green
And I'm gonna be a country girl again
The song "Country Girl" by Billie Jo Spears is about the singer's return to the country after spending some time in the city. The opening lines set the scene - it is raining and the singer is leaving the city and returning to the countryside. She is saying goodbye to the city's lights, department stores and bars which can be seen as symbols of urban life. Her heart is full of stars, which suggests she is excited and hopeful about her return to country life.
The second verse of the song mentions the singer's academic achievements, which she has gained through study and memorizing formulas. However, she feels that her true knowledge comes from the countryside and not from books or city life. The third verse speaks of the singer's search for happiness and peace of mind by wandering in the hearts of men. But it was the sound of the south wind through the pines - a symbol of nature - that taught her this lesson.
Overall, the song expresses the singer's love for the simplicity and natural beauty of country life, and her desire to return to that way of living. She values the freedom, peace and connection to nature that she feels in the countryside, over the lights and excitement of city living.
Line by Line Meaning
The rain is falling lightly on the buildings and the cars
It is raining, and the drops are gentle as they hit the urban landscape.
I said goodbye to city friends, department stores and bars
I left behind the hustle and bustle of the city, including my social circles, shopping malls, and nightlife.
The lights of town are at my back, my heart is full of stars
I am leaving the city behind, and as I do so, I feel a sense of wonder and excitement as I gaze at the night sky.
And I'm gonna be a country girl again
I am returning to my roots as a country girl, leaving the city life behind.
I spent some time in study, oh, I've taken my degrees
I have pursued academics, earning various degrees through diligent study.
I memorized my formulae, my A's and B's and C's
I have committed mathematical formulas and other ideas to memory through my education.
But what I know came long ago and not from such as these
While my education has taught me many things, the most important knowledge comes from my country upbringing.
Oh yes, I'm gonna be a country girl again
I am eagerly anticipating my return to the country lifestyle.
With an old brown dog and a big front porch and rabbits in the pen
I look forward to maturing with my faithful pet, enjoying the relaxation of my porch, and raising livestock in my giant enclosure.
I tell you all the lights on Broadway don't amount to an acre o' green
I am asserting that the urban life of fame and lights cannot compare to the simple beauty of nature.
I've wandered in the hearts of men, looking for the sign
I have sought romantic partners, hoping to find a sign that I can trust their emotions and actions.
That here I might learn happiness, I might learn peace of mind
In my search for love, I also yearn to find emotional contentment and clarity.
The one that taught my lesson was the south wind through the pines
The most important lesson I have learned about love and peace was from the natural world, as the winds carried through the pine trees.
And I'm gonna be a country girl again
I am enthusiastically repeating my desire to return to my rural upbringing.
Contributed by Addison P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marcelo Sastre
Ícono de músicas, BILLIE ,JO, SPEARS, el universo del country tiene por siempre un talento inrrepetible e incomparable, y me parece que por su sublime calidad poco premiada con tanta belleza y maravillosa mujer , sinceramente, 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎
axterix
Que voz tremendo....calidad sublime y superior
StevieB1362
Great song. All of her music is easy to dance to. What a talent!
latokatn506
We were lucky to have this great talent Billie Jo to sing for all true country fans RIP Lady !!
raymond dougan
Great country music - as it should be! RIP Billy JO.
gedwa822
One of those bouncy feel good songs. Billie Jo at her best
rjmn1
OMG I did not realise the passing of one of my fav female singers, that is so sad RIP Billy Jo Spears, We will always appreciate your voice, your style and your songs. Thank you 4 posting Hipa Mccready NZ, Australia
Brian Williams
all her songs are great
Jordi Nubiola
A very great song. My favorite song. And explendid guitars
König Ludwig
Simply great - the artist and the song - thanx !