Brantley Gilbert went to Nashville as a songwriter, where he signed to Warner Chappell Publishing. He continued performing at local venues. In 2009, he released his debut album, A Modern Day Prodigal Son, under independent label Average Joes Entertainment. He followed with Halfway to Heaven in 2010.
In 2011, he signed with Valory Music Co., a division of Big Machine Records, who released a deluxe edition of Halfway to Heaven. The album was produced by Dann Huff. Its first two singles, "Country Must Be Country Wide" and "You Don't Know Her Like I Do", both went to #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. After them, "Kick It in the Sticks" peaked at #34, and "More Than Miles" at #7 on Country Airplay. He won the ACM New Male Artist award in 2013.
Gilbert's second Valory album (third overall), Just as I Am, was released in May 2014. Its lead single, "Bottoms Up," also reached #1. The second single, "Small Town Throwdown," featured guest vocals from labelmates Thomas Rhett and Justin Moore. The third single, "One Hell of an Amen," became Brantley's fourth #1 hit in 2015. The album's fourth single was "Stone Cold Sober," released with the album's platinum edition.
Ahead of his fourth album, The Devil Don't Sleep, Gilbert released the single "The Weekend" as the album's leadoff single. Also included on the album is "The Ones That Like Me."
A deluxe edition of The Devil Don't Sleep includes ten bonus tracks: five demos, and five tracks cut from a live performance at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
In December 2018, Gilbert released a duet with Lindsay Ell, "What Happens in a Small Town", as the leadoff single to his upcoming fifth studio album, Fire & Brimstone. The album was released in October 2019. "Fire’t Up" was released as the second single off the album.
In June 2020, Gilbert released the single "Hard Days." The song was later included on a deluxe edition of Fire & Brimstone.
In June 2021, Gilbert released the single "The Worst Country Song of All Time", featuring Hardy and Toby Keith, and followed it up with the promotional single "Gone But Not Forgotten" in September 2021. In March 2022, Gilbert and Jason Aldean released another promotional single "Rolex® on a Redneck".
Gilbert released his sixth studio album So Help Me God on November 10, 2022 and announced "Heaven by Then", featuring Blake Shelton and Vince Gill, as the album's second official single.
Hell On Wheels
Brantley Gilbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well roll with me but you better listen good and clear
And if you got a badge or a big mouth brother you ain't got no business here
Fool, this here is moonshine still you can smell that whiskey burn
This is how the big dogs run, boy you're ridin' shotgun
Buckle up and let's have some fun
Ridin' 95 down the highway, sideways, runnin' from ol' John Law
Duct tape on that license plate, a six gun in the dash
Thunder in the hood, heaven from a still, lightning in a jar
Brother I'm hell on wheels
I'm hell on wheels
Just nine more miles until state line, we're on time, we lost Barney's blues
So you can open your eyes, you're doin' fine in this dangerous part of what we do
When we make that drop we're gonna pop a top, you got a lesson left to learn
It ain't wine, don't sip it, make it bubble when you hit it let it burn baby burn
Ridin' 95 down the highway, sideways, runnin' from ol' John Law
Got the booze in the boot, move it over Bo Duke make room for a real outlaw
There's duct tape on that license plate, a six gun in the dash
Thunder in the hood, heaven from a still, lightning in a jar
Brother I'm hell on wheels
I said I'm hell on wheels
Ridin' 95 down the highway, sideways, runnin' from ol' John Law
Got the booze in the boot, move it over Bo Duke make room for a real outlaw
There's duct tape on that license plate, a six gun in the dash
Thunder in the hood, heaven from a still, lightning in a jar
Ridin' 95 down the highway, sideways, runnin' from ol' John Law
Got the booze in the boot, move it over Bo Duke make room for a real outlaw
Duct tape on that license plate, a six gun in the dash
Thunder in the hood, heaven from a still, lightning in a jar
Brother I'm hell on wheels
I said on hell on wheels, yeah
Brother I'm hell on wheels
Brantley Gilbert's song "Hell On Wheels" is an outlaw anthem. Gilbert sings about running whiskey across state lines while evading the authorities. He warns his young companion that this isn't a game and that he should be prepared for what's to come. They are riding on a dangerous path, and if he's caught, he'll go to jail. The smell of moonshine fills the air as they ride towards their destination, and they can hear the sound of the engine and the music blasting in the singers. Gilbert's voice is confident and fierce, as he knows he's the best at what he does. He's hell on wheels, and nothing can stop him.
The song has a straightforward but impactful message: Gilbert is a rebel, and he's proud of it. He doesn't care about what society expects of him or what the law says. He's going to live his life on his terms, and he's going to have fun doing it. The lyrics have a 90s country feel, with a lot of truck-driving, beer-drinking, and law-enforcement evading. But the song also has a rock edge to it, with heavy guitars, big drums, and sharp hooks. Overall, "Hell On Wheels" is a fun, energetic, and catchy tune that celebrates the freedom of living outside the rules.
Line by Line Meaning
So man you think you wanna run whiskey
Do you believe you have what it takes to bootleg alcohol?
Well roll with me but you better listen good and clear
Join me, but you need to pay attention
And if you got a badge or a big mouth brother you ain't got no business here
If you're a lawman or like to talk a lot, you're not welcome
Fool, this here is moonshine still you can smell that whiskey burn
Don't be naive, this is where we make illegal liquor and the scent is intense
This is how the big dogs run, boy you're ridin' shotgun
I'm the leader, and you're just along for the ride
Buckle up and let's have some fun
Get ready and enjoy the ride
Ridin' 95 down the highway, sideways, runnin' from ol' John Law
Speeding down the road, swerving, and escaping the police
Booze in the boot, move it over Bo Duke make room for a real outlaw
The alcohol is in the back, make some space for a true rebel
Duct tape on that license plate, a six gun in the dash
The car's license plate is concealed and there's a gun in the front
Thunder in the hood, heaven from a still, lightning in a jar
The car is powerful and the moonshine is heavenly, the feeling is electric
Brother I'm hell on wheels
I'm a dangerous driver with a wild side
Just nine more miles until state line, we're on time, we lost Barney's blues
Close to crossing the state border, we're making good time, and the cops are off our tail
So you can open your eyes, you're doin' fine in this dangerous part of what we do
Don't worry, you're doing well in this risky activity
When we make that drop we're gonna pop a top, you got a lesson left to learn
When we finish the delivery, we're going to open a bottle and you still have more to experience
It ain't wine, don't sip it, make it bubble when you hit it let it burn baby burn
This isn't fancy wine, don't drink it slowly, chug it and let the burn feel good
I said I'm hell on wheels
I already told you, I'm a reckless driver
Brother I'm hell on wheels
Let me repeat, I'm a fearless driver
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRANTLEY KEITH GILBERT, MIKE DEKLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ab
I have never seen a country music artist before that could take the stereotypical "country song" about booze and trucks and other country-like things and make it sound this awesome. His music is just awesome. The way he words his lyrics fall into place so well that even though that the stories his songs tell are stereotypical country songs/things that are mostly things that people in the country do :P Im not a fan of country music personally but Brantley Gilbert is one of the ones i like
enoughapple
love this song
Jason Crum
Country ain't about where ur at or how u dress its about stayin true to what's inside and I honestly think Brantley sums that up pretty damn good
Danette Davis
AWESOME CD!!
Bradley Sweeney
This is a song of me and my brother and how we are. I actually have went down the highway sides ways at 95MPH it scared me shit less then my brother did and scared him too. XD
doofus doofusson
This is music for drifting dirt roads :)
Billie Acebo
couldn't believe this song didn't make main stream
cam u
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Owen Anderson
Billie Acebo it should have!
D
listen to this everytime i drive great song