The Osborne siblings strummed their first chords during those jam sessions. From the very start, TJ Osborne was the brother with the voice. He sang in a thick, low baritone, crooning like Johnny Cash long before he was even old enough to drive. Older brother John, on the other hand, was the family’s guitar shredder, his fingers capable of down-home bluegrass licks, arena-worthy rock riffs, country twang, and everything in between. Combined, the two Osbornes could play everything from traditional country music to rock & roll, creating a broad, full-bodied sound that would eventually fill the 11 songs on their major-label debut, Pawn Shop.
Like its title suggests, Pawn Shop offers a little bit of everything. There’s bluesy slide guitar, country duets, southern rock solos, harmonies, and plenty of groove. The hooks are big, the guitars are loud, and the songs — every last one of them co-written by the Osbornes, who reached out to award-winning songwriters like Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman for help — introduce a duo whose music bridges the gap between the mainstream and the alternative world. Some songs were written at home in Nashville, while others came together on the road, where the guys spent several years headlining their own club shows, touring the country with Darius Rucker, and playing some of the biggest arenas in America with fellow rule-breaker Eric Church.
“Most duos are built on singing,” says TJ “But John is an incredible guitar player, and this band is built on me singing and John playing guitar. It gives us two parallels that work nicely together.”
“It’s like an old-school rock approach,” adds John, who cites classic bands like Aerosmith and the Allman Brothers as influences on the duo’s dynamic. “Groups like that always had the lead singer as well as the sideman guitar player. That’s what we’re going for, too. We’re carving our own path in country music.”
That unique path has already led the band toward the upper half of the country charts. “Rum” got them there first, mixing the feel-good sunshine of a beach tune with a far more realistic storyline. There’s no actual beach in “Rum,” after all. Instead, Brothers Osborne turn the song into a tribute to the simple pleasures that their Maryland hometown offers: friends, good weather, and the occasional drink. They even filmed the song’s music video in Deale, filling the clip with footage of friends, relatives, and locals.
“Most people we grew up with don’t go to these beautiful beaches,” says TJ. “They can’t afford to do it. They don’t have the time for it. What we’re most familiar with is people going to the local bars and hanging out with each other.” John adds, “We tried to have the biggest time possible with what little we had. ‘Rum’ explains that.” The brothers agree, “We had to say it from our own perspective.”
A similar theme runs throughout “Dirt Rich” and “Pawn Shop,” two songs that stress the importance of appreciating what you’ve got. Pawn Shop dishes up plenty of love songs, too, from “Loving Me Back” — an old-school country duet featuring vocals from Lee Ann Womack — to “Stay a Little Longer,” the band’s biggest hit to date. While a three-minute guitar solo brings “Stay a Little Longer” to an epic, anthemic close, Brothers Osborne also devote time to more laid-back songs, from the nostalgic California country of “21 Summer” to the 420-friendly “Greener Pastures.”
Brothers Osborne, who co-produced the album with Jay Joyce (the award-winning producer behind Little Big Town’s Painkiller, Eric Church’s The Outsiders, and Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller), recorded most of Pawn Shop during breaks in their busy touring schedule, using members of their own touring band rather than session musicians from the Nashville community. The result is an album that’s stamped with the unmistakable mark of a band. It doesn’t sound like two singers, flanked by anonymous players. Instead, it sounds like a group of road warriors who’ve spent years sharing bus seats and hotel rooms, creating the sort of chemistry that can’t be faked. Pawn Shop is both raw and real, and Brothers Osborne — who, years after those household jam sessions in Deale, now have a handful of nationwide tours under their belts, songs on the charts, and a career on the rise — are no longer a family secret.
Headstone
Brothers Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a little bit more than crazy
Work like a dog but the way I talk
Is a little laid back and lazy
I'm not a man of many words
But my words are as good as gold
And you can bet your ass I'll have your back
When the rubber meets the road
Write that on my headstone
Write that on my headstone
Off the rails, off the walls
Never was the one to back down
Gave it hell and I had a ball
Like tomorrow was never coming back 'round
Live to love and love to live
Like the lights are never coming back on
Day and night, night and day
I did it my way, right or wrong
It's a wonder that I made it this long
Write that on my headstone
Write that on my headstone
Yeah, when I'm dead and gone
Write that on my headstone
Here lies a man who gave a damn
Wasn't scared to stand for something
Lived it hard and fast in that dash
Carved between those numbers
And if you're reading this you can reminisce
But don't cry for me brother
Pour enough whiskey on this grave
Write that on my headstone
Write that on my headstone
Yeah, when I'm dead and gone
Write that on my headstone
Yeah
Yeah, write that on my headstone
Headstone
Headstone
The lyrics of "Headstone" by Brothers Osborne reflect a sense of self-awareness and defiance, as the singer describes himself as someone who may come across as "crazy" when unraveled but is resolute and steadfast in his beliefs. Despite appearing laid back and lazy in his demeanor, he asserts that his words hold weight and he is loyal to those he cares about. This characterization sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the singer's unapologetic authenticity and commitment.
The song then delves into themes of living life to the fullest and on one's own terms. The singer embraces a wild and adventurous lifestyle, unafraid of taking risks and fully immersing himself in each moment as if tomorrow may never come. Through the imagery of "off the rails" and "off the walls," he paints a picture of someone who is unafraid to push boundaries and defy expectations. The lyrics suggest a life lived with passion and a refusal to conform to societal norms.
The chorus of "Write that on my headstone" serves as a defiant declaration of the singer's unique identity and values. This repetition reinforces the idea that he wants to be remembered for his authenticity, courage, and individuality. By expressing a desire for these qualities to be etched in stone as his legacy, the singer emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and living life unapologetically.
In the final verses, the song takes a poignant turn as the singer reflects on his mortality and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. He acknowledges the transient nature of life but asserts that he lived with purpose and conviction. The mention of pouring whiskey on his grave symbolizes a celebration of his life and a farewell to worldly attachments. Overall, "Headstone" by Brothers Osborne is a powerful anthem of self-acceptance, resilience, and living life with unwavering authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
My skin ain't thin but when I come unhinged
I may appear tough, but I have moments where my emotions get the best of me.
I'm a little bit more than crazy
At times, I showcase an unpredictable and wild side beyond just being eccentric.
Work like a dog but the way I talk
I put in relentless effort in my work, yet my communication style remains relaxed.
Is a little laid back and lazy
My manner of speaking conveys a sense of ease, perhaps perceived as indifferent.
I'm not a man of many words
I don't use a lot of words in conversation, preferring to keep things simple.
But my words are as good as gold
When I do speak, my words carry significant weight and value.
And you can bet your ass I'll have your back
You can be sure I will support you and be there for you in tough times.
When the rubber meets the road
I will stand firm and true when challenges become real and demanding.
Write that on my headstone
These are the truths I want remembered about me after I'm gone.
Write that on my headstone
Reiterate my legacy and the values I held dear as a lasting tribute.
Off the rails, off the walls
I've lived my life freely and wildly, without restraint or boundaries.
Never was the one to back down
I have always faced challenges boldly and refused to retreat.
Gave it hell and I had a ball
I embraced life with intensity and found joy in every wild moment.
Like tomorrow was never coming back 'round
I lived as if each day was my last, fully immersing myself in the present.
Live to love and love to live
My philosophy centers on embracing love in every aspect of existence.
Like the lights are never coming back on
I treated life as a fleeting experience, making it vibrant and memorable.
Day and night, night and day
Throughout every hour, I consistently maintained my passionate approach to life.
I did it my way, right or wrong
I followed my own path in life, regardless of whether my choices were deemed right.
It's a wonder that I made it this long
Given my reckless lifestyle, it’s surprising I've come through unscathed for this duration.
Write that on my headstone
These life choices and experiences should be commemorated after my departure.
Write that on my headstone
Make sure my legacy reflects how I truly lived my life.
Yeah, when I'm dead and gone
This message is intended to endure long past my existence.
Write that on my headstone
Ensure that my story and ethos are conveyed in the epitaph.
Here lies a man who gave a damn
I want to be remembered as someone who truly cared about life and others.
Wasn't scared to stand for something
I stood firm on my beliefs and values without fear of judgment.
Lived it hard and fast in that dash
I experienced life intensely within the short span represented by my birth and death dates.
Carved between those numbers
The essence of my life was defined by the brief timeframe I had.
And if you're reading this you can reminisce
If someone sees this epitaph, it’s a chance for them to reflect on our shared memories.
But don't cry for me brother
I encourage you not to mourn my passing, but to celebrate my life instead.
Pour enough whiskey on this grave
Honor my memory with a toast, perhaps a drink that I loved.
To make it all the way down six feet under
Let the whiskey flow abundantly, as a gesture of love and remembrance to reach my resting place.
Write that on my headstone
Reiterate the essence of my life, emphasizing my desires and values for the future.
Write that on my headstone
Once again underline how I want my story told after I'm no longer here.
Yeah, when I'm dead and gone
Reflect on the impact of my life beyond my physical presence.
Write that on my headstone
Reaffirm the importance of my legacy and how I wish to be remembered.
Yeah
A simple affirmation, signifying the sincerity of my message.
Yeah, write that on my headstone
Emphasize once again the importance of commemorating my life correctly.
Headstone
A solemn reminder of finality and the lasting impact of one's life.
Headstone
A symbol of remembrance, echoing the stories we leave behind.
Headstone
A final resting mark that tells the tale of who I was.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Osborne, Kendell Wayne Marvel, Thomas Osborne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@abiezerventura01
☠️🤯Lyrics:
My skin ain't thin but when I come unhinged
I'm a little bit more than crazy
Work like a dog but the way I talk
Is a little laid back and lazy
I'm not a man of many words
But my words are as good as gold
And you can bet your ass I'll have your back
When the rubber meets the road
Write that on my headstone
Write that on my headstone
Off the rails, off the walls
Never was the one to back down
Gave it hell and I had a ball
Like tomorrow was never coming back 'round
Live to love and love to live
Like the lights are never coming back on
Day and night, night and day
I did it my way, right or wrong
It's a wonder that I made it this long
Write that on my headstone
Write that on my headstone
Yeah, when I'm dead and gone
Write that on my headstone
Here lies a man who gave a damn
Wasn't scared to stand for something
Lived it hard and fast in that dash
Carved between those numbers
And if you're reading this you can reminisce
But don't cry for me brother
Pour enough whiskey on this grave
To make it all the way down six feet under
Write that on my headstone
Write that on my headstone
Yeah, when I'm dead and gone
Write that on my headstone
Yeah
Yeah, write that on my headstone
Headstone
Headstone
@bellanotte777
That guitar solo is like a sweet lullaby ❤️🥰🎸🤘🔥🔥🔥🔥🎸
@josharrismusic9865
Love to hear John lay down this Rock worth solos we haven't heard this for a while!
@giannishen
You guys did a really great job！謝謝分享, thanks for sharing！👍😄👏
@bejbenn
John is an awesome guitarist. His skills should be showcased more often.
@jimbokessler9635
This song is wild love the Southern Rock / South County feel .....BrOs 4ever🤘🤘🤘
@richardgruber5365
I've seen these Boyz live in Sacramento and let me tell you they kick serious ass and best concert and entertainment I have ever seen! I'd pay a $1000 a ticket to see them again!
@jeffmontgomery1905
Man y'all are great.
@albertcooper6420
Bray this is for you windham Rip you will forever be missed your bigest fan Al
@AliceSears-by5cc
Love everything YOU DO❤❤❤
@shayah7710
This is awesome. Do it your way, we got your backs 🙏✨❤️✌️