Red Dirt Road
Brooks & Dunn Lyrics
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Out past where the blacktop ends
We'd walk to church on Sunday morning
Race barefoot back to Johnson's fence
That's where I first saw Mary
On that roadside picking blackberries
That summer I turned a corner in my soul
Down that red dirt road
It's where I drank my first beer
It's where I found Jesus
Where I wrecked my first car
I tore it all to pieces
I learned the path to heaven
Is full of sinners and believers
Learned that happiness on earth
Ain't just for high achievers
I've learned
I've come to know
There's life at both ends
Of that red dirt road
Her daddy didn't like me much
In my shackled up GTO
I'd sneak out in the middle of the night
Throw rocks at her bedroom window
We'd turn out the headlights
Drive by the moonlight
Talk about what the future might hold
Down that red dirt road
It's where I drank my first beer
It's where I found Jesus
Where I wrecked my first car
I tore it all to pieces
I learned the path to heaven
Is full of sinners and believers
Learned that happiness on earth
Ain't just for high achievers
I've learned
I've come to know
There's life at both ends
Of that red dirt road
I went out into the world
And I came back in
I lost Mary
Oh I got her back again
And driving home tonight
Feels like I've found a long lost friend
It's where I drank my first beer
It's where I found Jesus
Where I wrecked my first car
I tore it all to pieces
I learned the path to heaven
Is full of sinners and believers
Learned that happiness on earth
Ain't just for high achievers
I've learned
I've come to know
There's life at both ends
Of that red dirt road
Yes, I've learned
I've come to know
There's life at both ends
Of that red dirt road
Brooks & Dunn's "Red Dirt Road" is a song that explores the journey and memories of a man who grew up in the countryside. The song starts by painting a vivid picture of his upbringing on Rural Route 3, which was located beyond the end of the blacktop leading further into the country, far away from the city. The singer reminisces about how he would race barefoot with his friends to Johnson's fence after church on Sundays. It was at this fence where he first saw Mary, who was picking blackberries on the roadside. This summer marked a significant turning point in his life, and he vividly remembers how it changed him.
The song is nostalgic and emotional as it is set against the backdrop of the "red dirt road," which is a metaphor for the journey of life. It's a reminder that life is full of different experiences that shape an individual in different ways. The song speaks to the experiences that the singer went through, including drinking his first beer, finding Jesus, wrecking his first car, learning the path to heaven, and discovering that happiness on earth is not reserved for high achievers.
The singer's love interest, Mary's father, was not impressed by him, but he snuck out at night to see her anyway. She became his pillar of emotional support, and they would discuss their future as they drove by the moonlight on that red dirt road. Years later, as he drives down the familiar red dirt road, he reflects on his life journey, which led him out into the world and eventually brought him back to Mary. He concludes by stating that he has learned that life has its ups and downs, but he knows now that there is life at both ends of that red dirt road.
Line by Line Meaning
I was raised off of Rural Route 3
I grew up in a rural area.
Out past where the blacktop ends
My home was located beyond the city limits.
We'd walk to church on Sunday morning
My family and I would go to church together on Sundays.
Race barefoot back to Johnson's fence
After church, my friends and I would race each other back home.
That's where I first saw Mary
I met a girl named Mary in my hometown.
On that roadside picking blackberries
I saw Mary picking blackberries on the side of the road.
That summer I turned a corner in my soul
Meeting Mary changed my life in a significant way.
Down that red dirt road
I associate this song with the memories I have of growing up and meeting Mary in my small town.
It's where I drank my first beer
I have some good (and maybe not so good) memories attached to that red dirt road.
It's where I found Jesus
I also have positive spiritual associations with that place.
Where I wrecked my first car
I have some memories that are bittersweet or outright painful.
I tore it all to pieces
I did some things I regretted or that had negative consequences.
I learned the path to heaven
Through my experiences, I found that faith and spirituality have their own distinct value.
Is full of sinners and believers
I also discovered that people of all types can have spiritual experiences and find meaning in life.
Learned that happiness on earth
I realized that a good life involves more than just being an overachiever.
Ain't just for high achievers
All sorts of people can have fulfilling and happy lives.
I've come to know
Through my life experiences and memories, I have gained a lot of wisdom.
There's life at both ends
I have learned that there are good things to be found in all stages of life.
Her daddy didn't like me much
Mary's father disapproved of me.
In my shackled up GTO
I drove a GTO that was modified in some way.
I'd sneak out in the middle of the night
I would sneak out to see Mary when her father disapproved of me visiting her.
Throw rocks at her bedroom window
I would try to get Mary's attention by throwing pebbles at her window.
We'd turn out the headlights
We would turn off the headlights of the car to create some romance or playfulness.
Drive by the moonlight
We would drive the car by the light of the full moon, enjoying the scenery and each other's company.
Talk about what the future might hold
We discussed our ambitions and dreams - both individually and as a couple.
I went out into the world
I left that small town to explore and experience the wider world.
And I came back in
Despite my travels, I returned to that small town eventually.
I lost Mary
At some point, Mary and I separated.
Oh I got her back again
But despite the separation or difficulties, we rekindled our relationship at some point.
And driving home tonight
As I reflect on my past experiences, I am driving down the same road where all of these memories were made.
Feels like I've found a long lost friend
That familiar feeling of nostalgia and a strong connection to my past is overwhelming me as I drive down that red dirt road again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Cactusflower2000
Who is still listening to this amazing song in 2024
@whatnow2368
ME !
@edwardnobles6418
This is real country.I'm from Detroit and you don't know shit about country music.
@davidkeevil5151
Me
@MrCallOfTheWild-yf1ni
Me
@Ethankupimasprime
Me to
@Spartan77
People can say whatever they want about Country music; Country and Christian music has helped me become a new and better me.
@frenchfrymontana3564
What a great song. We should cherish these guys because artists don't write songs like this anymore💯💯💯
@marioe421
French fry montana 😂
@rachelmarie4064
When people stop buying crap music they will stop making it. They are supplying a demand... Apparently this generation loves 💩 music. I miss the old days! 😢