Bo's first album, titled The Real Thing, was released on December 13th, 2005. It includes several original songs on which Bo shares writing credit such as “It’s My Life”, which Bo wrote with Clif Magness and Kara DioGuardi.
Bo's second album, "See The Light" was released October 23, 2007. It was recorded in his own studio, and under his own independent record label, Sugar Money (teamed up with StratArt for that project). The album was co-produced by Bo and Frank Liddell. The songs (all written by Bo, some in collaboration with friends) reflect a diverse spectrum--from all-out southern rock, country, funk, to emotional ballads.
Take the Country Outta Me
Bo Bice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if that Freebird wasn't soarin
Y'all would have never heard of me
Turn up Bocephus on the radio
Marshall Tucker now can't you see
Chorus:
You can take me out the country
Can't go a day without Waylon Jennings
And the red haired starnger's on mind
Johnny Cash and Jimmy Rogers
JJ Cale and old John Prine
My Sweet Melissa keeps on callin'
Take a load off Annalee
I ain't never been to Heaven
But I hear it's just the same as Tennessee
(Solo)
Now my face might seem familiar
You see me smiling on tv
They might take me out to LA
But they'll never take sweet Dixieland from me
They might take me out the country
But they'll never take the country out of me
If you didn't know that I was country
Alabama's always home to me
In the first verse of Bo Bice's "Take the Country Outta Me," he speaks of his musical roots, listing the likes of Merle Haggard, ZZ Top, and CDB as some of his biggest influences. He then mentions that without the famous Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Freebird," his own music may have never ended up reaching anyone's ears. Throughout the chorus, Bo seems to be asserting that while he may have left the countryside behind in his physical life, it remains an integral part of who he is as a person. In the second verse, he delves deeper into the specifics of his musical preferences with shoutouts to Waylon Jennings, the iconic "red-haired stranger" Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Rogers, JJ Cale, and John Prine. He even references two mysterious females by name, Sweet Melissa and Annalee. Bo's ultimate conclusion is that while he may be traveling across the country, he has not lost touch with his roots and still feels connected to his home state of Alabama.
The song overall is a tribute to Bo Bice's background, as revealed in the lyrics. The lyrics, while personal, are used to widely relate to country fans everywhere. The song can be seen as a reminder that home is more than just a physical location. It's a state of mind that sticks with you no matter where you go. The lyrics also reveal Bo's love for classic country music, which likely shaped his sound as an artist.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up on Merle Haggard, ZZ Top and CDB
I was raised on a musical diet of Merle Haggard, ZZ Top, and Charlie Daniels Band
And if that Freebird wasn't soarin
If Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" wasn't a hit song,
Y'all would have never heard of me
no one would know who I am today
Turn up Bocephus on the radio
I like to listen to Hank Williams Jr.
Marshall Tucker now can't you see
I also enjoy listening to The Marshall Tucker Band
Chorus:
I will always be true to my country roots
You can take me out the country
Though I may leave the rural areas,
But you'll never take the country out of me
my upbringing and devotion to country music will always be with me
Can't go a day without Waylon Jennings
I can't get through a day without listening to Waylon Jennings
And the red haired starnger's on mind
I also can't get Willie Nelson's "The Red Headed Stranger" out of my head
Johnny Cash and Jimmy Rogers
I admire the work of Johnny Cash and Jimmie Rodgers
JJ Cale and old John Prine
I appreciate the music of J.J. Cale and John Prine
My Sweet Melissa keeps on callin'
I constantly think of my loved one, Melissa
Take a load off Annalee
I try to take it easy when I can
I ain't never been to Heaven
I have not had the fortune of visiting heaven
But I hear it's just the same as Tennessee
Though I can't confirm, I've heard that heaven resembles Tennessee
(Solo)
Instrumental break
Now my face might seem familiar
You may recognize me from somewhere
You see me smiling on tv
I am often on television and appear to be happy
They might take me out to LA
Though I may travel to Los Angeles for work,
But they'll never take sweet Dixieland from me
I will always cherish my Southern heritage
If you didn't know that I was country
If it wasn't already clear that I'm a country boy,
Alabama's always home to me
I will always consider Alabama to be my home
Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.