Young's third album, Neon, produced two more number ones in "Tomorrow" and "You" in 2011 as well as the top 5 hit "I Can Take It from There" in 2012. The follow-up, 2013's A.M., produced three new singles with the top 5 hits "Aw Naw", "Who I Am with You", and "Lonely Eyes". His fifth album, I'm Comin' Over, was released on November 13, 2015.
In 2017, Young gained one of the crowning achievements in country music, becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Young has also won awards from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and CMT Music Awards.
Throughout his career, Young has collaborated with numerous artists such as Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Tim McGraw, and Eric Church. He continues to tour and perform his music around the United States.
The Dashboard
Chris Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just my brother and me
The night before he shipped out overseas
A leather-neck, jarhead marine
He said "the radiator leaks,
And the timing-belt is worn,
But the heart and soul of this old beat up truck,
"it's seen alot of tan legs,
Got a kick ass radio
Heard alot of singing along with some country songs, and rock and roll.
Got a .38 bullet hole, courtesy of Kate Tillman's dad,
Alot of scotch tape marks from holding timeless photo graphs."
He said "if I don't come back,
You can have this ford,
Just tape a picture of me, on the dashboard."
He said "the paint is peeling off,
It's got dents in both the doors,
If something happens to me don't hang a for-sale sign above the dashboard."
"it's seen alot of tan legs,
Got a kick ass radio
Heard alot of singing along with some country songs, and rock and roll.
Got a thirty eight bullet hole, courtesy of Kate Tillman's dad,
Alot of scotch tape marks from holding timeless photo graphs."
He said "if I don't come back,
You can have this ford,
Just tape a picture of me, on the dashboard."
I had the engine overhauled,
A paint-job and brand new chrome
I had her washed and waxed, sittin' in the drive the day that he came home
I said "here's the keys,
She's all yours,
I fixed everything,
But the dashboard"
The song "The Dashboard" by Chris Young is a heart-wrenching tribute to a brother who is about to leave to go overseas with the military. In the song, the singer and his brother are sitting in his brother's truck, and the brother is showing him all the different features of the truck, which he calls the heart and soul of the vehicle. Among these features are a kick-ass radio, a bullet hole, and scotch tape marks that hold timeless photographs. The brother tells his narrator that in case he doesn't come back from the military, he can have the truck and just tape a picture of him on the dashboard.
The dashboard of the truck is the focal point of the song, as it is described as being the one thing that the singer doesn't fix up when he goes to great lengths to overhaul the vehicle for his brother's return. The dashboard is symbolic of the brother's memory and his presence, and it serves as a reminder to the singer of his brother's service and sacrifice. The song is a beautiful tribute to those who serve in the military and the families that support them, and it captures the emotional turmoil that comes with saying goodbye to a loved one who is about to leave for war.
Line by Line Meaning
We laughed and joked in the cab of his truck
The author and his brother shared good times in the vehicle.
Just my brother and me
Only the author and his brother were present for the experience.
The night before he shipped out overseas
The event took place before the author's brother's military deployment.
A leather-neck, jarhead marine
The author's brother was a proud and tough marine.
He said 'the radiator leaks,
The author's brother acknowledged the truck's shortcomings.
And the timing-belt is worn,
The author's brother was aware of the vehicle's maintenance issues.
But the heart and soul of this old beat up truck,
The dashboard was the most important part of the car.
Is the dashboard.'
The dashboard was the most significant feature of the truck.
'It's seen alot of tan legs,
The dashboard has been witness to many experiences.
Got a kick ass radio
The truck has a great sound system.
Heard alot of singing along with some country songs, and rock and roll.
Many songs have been played and sung in the vehicle.
Got a .38 bullet hole, courtesy of Kate Tillman's dad,
A bullet hole in the dashboard was caused by an unknown person.
Alot of scotch tape marks from holding timeless photo graphs.
The dashboard has tape marks from holding cherished pictures.
He said 'if I don't come back,
The author's brother was prepared for the possibility that he might not return from his tour.
You can have this ford,
The author would inherit the vehicle if his brother did not come back.
Just tape a picture of me, on the dashboard.'
The author would keep his brother's memory alive by leaving a picture on the dashboard if he did not return.
He said 'the paint is peeling off,
The truck's paint was in poor condition according to the author's brother.
It's got dents in both the doors,
The truck has visible dents on the doors.
If something happens to me don't hang a for-sale sign above the dashboard.'
The vehicle is not to be sold if the author's brother does not return.
I had the engine overhauled,
The author repaired the truck's engine.
A paint-job and brand new chrome
The author had the truck repainted and added new chrome details.
I had her washed and waxed, sittin' in the drive the day that he came home
The author showed off the newly-renovated truck when his brother returned from deployment.
I said 'here's the keys,
The author gave his brother the keys to the truck.
She's all yours,
The truck was now the property of the author's brother.
I fixed everything,
The author repaired everything on the truck, except the dashboard.
But the dashboard'
The dashboard remained untouched as it was the most significant and cherished part of the vehicle.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MONTY RUSS CRISWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind