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.
Make It a Good One
Brothers Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To feel like a million bucks
You don't have to buy a plane ticket
To get a little high and live it up
We pass through life like a bullet
It's enough to make your head spin
And as far I we know we don't get to do it again
Make it a good one, make it a long one
If you're gonna pour one make it a strong one
Give all your heart to someone
Leave nothing unsaid or undone
Life goes by ninety miles a minute
If you blink once you might just miss it
It's a hold on tight, carnival ride around the sun
Before the day is done make it a good one
Hold tight to the ones you love
Don't get stuck in your ways
Keep shiftin' gears to those good years
That seen better days
He ain't ever gonna find a U-Haul gettin'
Pulled behind a hearse
Leave the best of yourself behind ya
You ain't gonna fit it with you down in the dirt
Make it a good one, make it a long one
If you're gonna pour one make it a strong one
Give all your heart to someone
Leave nothing unsaid or undone
Life goes by ninety miles a minute
If you blink once you might just miss it
Before the day is done make it a good one
Raise your hands
Let the chips fall where they land
Take a chance and get a little wild while you can
And if you wanna make the good Lord laugh
Tell 'em your plans
Make it a good one
If you're gonna pour one make it a strong one
Give all your heart to someone
Leave nothing unsaid or undone
Life goes by ninety miles a minute
If you blink once you might just miss it
It's a hold on tight, carnival ride around the sun
It's a free fall, havin' a ball
'Cause you only get one
Make it a good one, mm
Mm, make it a good one
The lyrics of "Make It a Good One" by Brothers Osborne beautifully capture the essence of living life to the fullest and cherishing every moment. The opening lines emphasize that true happiness and fulfillment do not necessarily require material wealth, as feeling like a million bucks is more about embracing the experiences and joys that life brings. The imagery of passing through life like a bullet conveys the fast-paced nature of time, urging listeners to appreciate the present moment as there are no guarantees of a second chance.
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of making each day count by making it a good and long one. Pouring a strong drink symbolizes indulging in life's pleasures, but also giving it your all without holding back. The lyrics urge individuals to express their love openly, to communicate without reservation, and to take advantage of every opportunity for growth and connection. Life is described as a rapid journey, highlighting the need to hold on tightly and savor the ride as it whirls around the sun.
The verses encourage listeners to hold on dearly to loved ones, to be adaptable and open to change, and to leave behind a positive legacy that outlasts physical possessions. The imagery of a U-Haul not being towed by a hearse underscores the idea that material possessions are not what truly matters in the end. The lyrics advocate for living in the present, experiencing life to the fullest, and leaving a lasting impact through the love and kindness we show to others.
The bridge of the song encourages listeners to take risks, be spontaneous, and embrace the unpredictability of life. It suggests that making plans may entertain a divine sense of humor, highlighting the importance of flexibility and a sense of adventure. The closing lines reiterate the central message of making each day meaningful, embracing the journey as a joyful free fall, and reminding listeners that they have only one life to live. Overall, "Make It a Good One" serves as a poignant reminder to seize the day, cherish those we love, and make every moment count.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't take a million big ones
You don't need a lot of money to feel fulfilled.
To feel like a million bucks
True happiness can be achieved without wealth.
You don't have to buy a plane ticket
You don’t need to travel far to experience joy.
To get a little high and live it up
You can find contentment and excitement in everyday moments.
We pass through life like a bullet
Life moves quickly, often feeling like it rushes by.
It's enough to make your head spin
The speed of life can be overwhelming and disorienting.
And as far I we know we don't get to do it again
We only have one life to live, so we should make it count.
Make it a good one, make it a long one
Strive to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
If you're gonna pour one make it a strong one
When you engage in life, do so with full passion and intensity.
Give all your heart to someone
Invest deeply in relationships, showing your true feelings.
Leave nothing unsaid or undone
Express your thoughts and actions completely, leaving no regrets.
Life goes by ninety miles a minute
Time passes rapidly, often before we realize it.
If you blink once you might just miss it
Be mindful, as moments can slip away in an instant.
It's a hold on tight, carnival ride around the sun
Life is a wild and unpredictable journey; enjoy every moment.
Before the day is done make it a good one
Ensure that each day counts positively before it ends.
Hold tight to the ones you love
Cherish and nurture your close relationships.
Don't get stuck in your ways
Avoid becoming rigid; stay adaptable and open to change.
Keep shiftin' gears to those good years
Continuously look for ways to embrace and create joyful times.
That seen better days
Acknowledge that life has ups and downs, and aim for better moments.
He ain't ever gonna find a U-Haul gettin' pulled behind a hearse
Material possessions cannot be taken with you after death.
Leave the best of yourself behind ya
Focus on leaving a positive legacy in your relationships.
You ain't gonna fit it with you down in the dirt
You can’t carry worldly things with you into the afterlife.
Make it a good one, make it a long one
Live a life that is both fulfilling and memorable.
If you're gonna pour one make it a strong one
Live passionately and fully engage with life.
Give all your heart to someone
Devote yourself to your loved ones with sincerity.
Leave nothing unsaid or undone
Actively communicate and resolve issues, leaving no regrets.
Life goes by ninety miles a minute
Time is fleeting and can move faster than we think.
If you blink once you might just miss it
Stay aware and present to appreciate life fully.
It's a hold on tight, carnival ride around the sun
Enjoy the exhilarating journey that life is, filled with highs and lows.
It's a free fall, havin' a ball
Embrace the unpredictability of life and enjoy the ride.
'Cause you only get one
You have only this one life to live, so make it worthwhile.
Make it a good one, mm
Ensure that your life is filled with joy and purpose.
Mm, make it a good one
Continue to strive for a meaningful and joyful existence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Osborne, Stephen Wilson, Thomas Osborne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jlberger
Best line I have ever heard..."never seen a U-Haul towed by a hearse" I am a fan and I am not too much into country music, but you guys are great! I still can't get enough of "Weed, Whiskey and Willy" Thank you so much!
@justinmorgan4568
It's music like this that's getting us through this God forsaken year. The real strong artists are the ones still spreading positive loving messages like this during these dark and weird times. 🙏 Love you Brothers Osborne.
@justinmorgan4568
@countrygirl countrymusiclover1127 Hey that's great. I don't have a wife or kids so I just stick with breathing lol. And I mean look, for me personally it hasn't really been a bad year. But you gotta admit these are some strange times. 🤷🏼♂️
@iconicintuitive
This was said so perfectly
@kd8804
😊😊😊😅😊😊😅😅😅
@kd8804
I’m
@kd8804
I’m 😊
@bonniepieterek2568
Love their songs and his voice!!!!!!
@LAVixen-nt1rr
Keep shifting and make it a good one!!!
@Interbrews
You’ve made this album a good one! Thank y’all!!