Billy Ray Cyrus (born William Ray Cyrus; August 25, 1961) is a Grammy Award… Read Full Bio ↴Billy Ray Cyrus (born William Ray Cyrus; August 25, 1961) is a Grammy Award-nominated American country music singer, songwriter and actor from Flatwoods, Kentucky, best known for his Number One single "Achy Breaky Heart". Cyrus, a multi-platinum selling recording artist, has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His most successful album to date is the debut of Some Gave All, which has been certified 9× Multi-Platinum in the United States. The album also has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. In his career, he has released 29 charted singles, of which 15 charted in the Top 40.
From the year 2001 to 2004, Cyrus starred in the television show Doc. The show was about a country doctor who moved from Montana to New York City. In late 2005, he also began to co-star in the Disney Channel series, Hannah Montana, with daughter Miley Cyrus. The show has been on the air for three seasons.
The I'm American Songfacts reports that Billy Ray Cyrus’ twelfth studio album, I'm American is a collection of patriotic songs. It was initially scheduled to be released in November 2010, but after being pushed back numerous times, it finally came out on June 28, 2011.

Redneck Heaven
Billy Ray Cyrus Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus]
Take me to Redneck Heaven
When I'm dead and gone
Where my southern roots are buried
Bandstand still lives on
With some smoky pool room standing
With Jesus on the wall
Take me to Redneck Heaven

When the good Lord comes to call (comes to call, comes to call)

Mother Mary riding proud on the dashboard of my truck
To remind me to count my blessings and to pray for just a little luck
Brother Levi waits for me at the local Seven-Eleven
But just in case I don't make it there
Send me to Redneck Heaven

[Chorus]

There I was on those sawdust streets of gold
And I saw Conway Twitty, and there was Keith Willy
Before I could Hank Williams I turned around and I was face to face
With the king of Rock and roll

You can have your streets of gold
Sawdust will do just fine
And about those singing angels
Just give me Patsy Cline
If I could only meet the king
I'll feel I've rolled a seven
Give me swingin' doors instead of pearly gates
Take me to Redneck Heaven!

[Chorus]

Take me to Redneck Heaven
Hope I see you all

Overall Meaning

The song "Redneck Heaven" by Billy Ray Cyrus is a tribute to the Southern lifestyle and a unique perspective on the afterlife. The song starts with the chorus encouraging the listener to take the singer to Redneck Heaven when they die, where their southern roots are buried, and the bandstand is still alive. The phrase "Redneck Heaven" is used as a metaphor for a place where the southern lifestyle is celebrated and continued even after death. The singer hopes that there will be a smoky pool room with Jesus on the wall and that he will be reunited with loved ones who have passed away.

In the second verse, the singer juxtaposes the image of Mother Mary riding on the dashboard of his truck to remind him to count his blessings with his brother who is waiting at the local Seven-Eleven. He then requests to be sent to Redneck Heaven should he not make it to his destination. The final verse describes the sawdust streets of gold in Redneck Heaven and the famous musicians that the singer hopes to meet there, including Conway Twitty, Keith Willy, Hank Williams, and the king of rock and roll. The singer expresses a preference for the simple life and the music of Patsy Cline and suggests that swinging doors would be preferable to pearly gates.

Line by Line Meaning

Take me to Redneck Heaven
I want to go to a place that embodies my southern roots and way of life

When I'm dead and gone
When I have passed away

Where my southern roots are buried
A place where my roots and heritage are preserved

Bandstand still lives on
A place where the music, dancing and culture of the south continues over generations

With some smoky pool room standing
A relaxed environment where people can come together for good times and friendship

With Jesus on the wall
Where faith and spirituality are important aspects of life

Take me to Redneck Heaven
I desire to go to a place that embodies my southern roots and way of life

When the good Lord comes to call (comes to call, comes to call)
At the time of my death

Mother Mary riding proud on the dashboard of my truck
A symbol of faith and religious beliefs in my truck

To remind me to count my blessings and to pray for just a little luck
A reminder to be grateful and continue to seek blessings and luck through prayer

Brother Levi waits for me at the local Seven-Eleven
A familiar place where friends and family gather

But just in case I don't make it there
In case I am unable to reach my intended destination

Send me to Redneck Heaven
I would prefer to go to a place that embodies my southern roots and way of life

There I was on those sawdust streets of gold
Imagining a place where my southern roots and traditions are celebrated

And I saw Conway Twitty, and there was Keith Willy
Referencing famous southern musicians who may be in the afterlife

Before I could Hank Williams I turned around and I was face to face
Referencing another famous southern musician who may also be in the afterlife

With the king of Rock and roll
Referencing Elvis Presley, the 'King' of rock and roll, who may also be in the afterlife

You can have your streets of gold
I don't need extravagant things to be happy

Sawdust will do just fine
I am content with simpler things, like sawdust covered streets

And about those singing angels
I don't need heavenly beings to make me happy

Just give me Patsy Cline
I would prefer to spend time with southern musicians like Patsy Cline

If I could only meet the king
If possible, I would love to meet Elvis Presley

I'll feel I've rolled a seven
I would feel like I had achieved ultimate happiness and fulfillment

Give me swingin' doors instead of pearly gates
Another reference to preferring the simple and familiar southern way of life over luxurious or extravagant things

Take me to Redneck Heaven!
I would love to go to a place that embodies my southern roots and way of life

Hope I see you all
I hope to see my friends and family there as well

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY RAY CYRUS, DANNY SHIRLEY, MARK COLLIE, MICHAEL JOE SAGRAVES, TERRY SHELTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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