By 2019, Colt built a series of staggering successes as he rose to mainstream notoriety. He notched five consecutive Top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart with Declaration of Independence bowing at #1 in 2012. Two years later, Thanks for Listening ascended to the Top 10 of the Top 200, with the album reaching #1 on Billboard Rap & Independent charts. Meanwhile, he lobbed six songs onto the Hot Country Songs Chart with “Back” [feat. Jake Owen] going Top 40. Among many accolades, Ford received a nomination in the category of “Vocal Event of the Year” at the Academy of Country Music Awards for “Cold Beer” with Jamey Johnson.
Selling over 3 million albums, attracting millions of followers on social media and hitting 1 billion-plus streams, the country rap pioneer’s dynamic discography spans collaborations with everyone from Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and Jermaine Dupri to members of No Doubt, Lit, and Lady Antebellum. Additionally, he co-wrote Jason Aldean’s #1 hit “Dirt Road Anthem” and Brantley Gilbert’s #1 hit “Country Must Be Country Wide” as a behind-the-scenes force in the studio. Moreover, Ford’s solo tradition of genre-blurring continued on Love Hope Faith in 2017 by way of cuts such as “Reload” [feat. Taylor Ray Holbrook], his We The People, Volume 1 album and on into his Keys to the Country EP in 2021 with Kevin Gates, RVSHVD and more.
The dynamic Keys to the Country EP was produced by Noah Gordon and Colt Ford, with Shannon Houchins serving as Co-Producer (Colt and Shannon co-own Average Joes Entertainment). In between a marathon tour schedule, they recorded at Colt’s studio in Nashville. Throughout the process, the star pushed himself like never before, maintaining the hallmarks of his signature style, charting new territory, and hitting his most prolific stride to date alongside rapper, Kevin Gates in their well received track, “Hood” with Jermaine Dupri.
On the Keys to the Country EP, Ford continues to evolve his artistry and—as only he can—amp things up even further. Fittingly, he introduces the EP with the first single “When Country Comes Back,” as the world was ending a near global shutdown.
“The Keys to the Country EP is really me,” he elaborates. “So much of my success is a result of the fact that I am my songs. You’re getting me in the lyrics! I don’t have chauffeurs, ten sports cars, or my own jet. That’s all cool, but I’m just Colt Ford. It’s relatable.”
Ford continued to blur the lines of what country rap with “Hood” featuring world renowned rapper, Kevin Gates, and Jermaine Dupri. At heart, it’s a song about unification—no matter race, color, or religious affiliation. Music has a way of bringing people together, and that’s the exact message in this song.
Overall, the EP doubles as a soundtrack for positivity and living life to the fullest for these times. Of course, Ford preserves the right amount of grit and wit to liven and light up any party as his blend of Southern rock, modern country, and rap remains downright unbeatable. Alongside guests such as Vince Gill [“Keys to the Country”], Josh Mirenda [“My Town”], Matt Stell [“Bad Beer“], and more, his lead vocals and raps remain as robust and uniformly strong as ever. Nevertheless, “If I Didn’t Know Better” featuring Jana Kramer marks an emotional high watermark for the Keys to the Country EP. This vulnerable, vibrant, and vital ballad illuminates Ford’s impressive range as he carries a heart-wrenching hook to the heavens and back.
“I have to say ‘If I Didn’t Know Better’ is a real, true, and defining moment for me,” he admits. “It’s how I sing and where I feel good at. It’s a straight-up country power ballad that honestly every man in the world should listen to and realize what mistakes not to make. It changed a lot for me. Having Jana Kramer on the track was just icing on the cake. She is an incredible singer and fun to work with.”
As Ford kicks off his next powerful chapter, he holds nothing back on the Keys to the Country EP.
“Listen to these tracks…you’ll know exactly who I am,” he leaves off. “Colt Ford is about God, family, friends, and America. I’m just a guy who loves life. I love people. I love knowing I could make a difference in somebody else’s life with a song. I hope you walk away with a smile on your face. I poured my heart and soul into this one. This ain’t a hobby. It’s life. The fans are the reason I’m here. I’m going to keep doing it for them. I feel like the luckiest man on planet earth, so I’m not stopping,” he laughs.
Cold Beer
Colt Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That neon says open and I'm here with all my friends
So just keep them taps a-flowing, the first round's all on me
And as long as they keep pouring 'em, hey we ain't gonna leave
Well good god o' mighty, there's a party in here
Lord have mercy, I'm thirsty pass me a beer
Been working all day, bout ready to play
And we ain't goin' home til the sun come up
And if I'm too drunk to drive I'll just sleep in my truck
Won't be the first time, sure not the last
Got my eye on that blonde with the heart shaped ass
She been lookin' at me since I walked in the door
'Bout time for ole Colt to twirl her round the dance floor
See if she got a thing for them ole cowboys
Who like to fight, raise hell, and make a lot of noise
Well just pass me a cold one, buddy it's that time again
That neon sign says open and I'm here with all my friends
So just keep them taps a-flowing, the first round's all on me
And as long as they keep pouring 'em, ya'll we ain't gonna leave
Well here's the situation, the blonde wasn't cooking
But she came with a friend who was just as goodlooking
So I eased on over with a bottle of bud
Looked her right in the eye, said little lady "what's up"?
D'you like country boys with a southern drawl
Who fish, hunt, and fight, say yes ma'am and ya'll?
If so then I might be just your type
If not what the hell? Darlin' I won't tell
Now me and you can ease on outta here
My truck is out front I got a cooler of beer
And I'd love to take you for a bite to eat,
Waffle house is still open right down the street
It's only on me I got plenty of cash
I might fight a grizzly bear for a piece of that ass
As a matter of fact, run and get your friends
I'll round up the boys we can make some noise
C'mon pass me a cold one, buddy it's that time again
That neon sign says open and I'm here with all my friends
So just keep them taps a-flowing, the first round's all on me
And as long as they keep pouring 'em, ya'll we ain't gonna leave
C'mon pass me a cold one, buddy it's that time again
That neon sign says open and I'm here with all my friends
So just keep them taps a-flowing, the first round's all on me
And as long as they keep pouring 'em, ya'll we ain't gonna leave
The lyrics of Colt Ford's song "Cold Beer" are a celebration of friendship, good times, and the simple pleasures of life. The song tells the story of a group of buddies who gather at their local bar after work, looking forward to a night of drinking, dancing, and flirting. The opening lines set the scene, with the singer asking his buddy to pass him a cold beer, as the neon sign outside the bar announces that it's open for business. The chorus repeats this refrain, emphasizing the importance of this ritual and the camaraderie between the group.
As the night unfolds, the singer's attention turns to a blonde woman who catches his eye. He approaches her with a bottle of beer, trying to charm her with his southern drawl and cowboy persona. He asks her if she's into "country boys" who like to fish, hunt, and fight, and suggests that they go on a date to the Waffle House. The song ends with the singer encouraging his friends and the other patrons at the bar to keep the party going, as long as the beer keeps flowing.
Overall, "Cold Beer" is an ode to the joys of drinking and socializing with friends, as well as a celebration of southern culture and values. The song's catchy chorus and upbeat tempo make it a popular party anthem, and its lyrics resonate with anyone who enjoys a cold beer and a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well just pass me a cold one, buddy it's that time again
Colt Ford, the singer, requests his friend to give him a cold beer as it's party time again.
That neon says open and I'm here with all my friends
Colt Ford sees the neon sign indicating that the bar is open and he's with all his friends inside.
So just keep them taps a-flowing, the first round's all on me
Colt Ford tells the bartender to keep serving beer and he will pay for the first round.
And as long as they keep pouring 'em, hey we ain't gonna leave
Colt Ford and his friends will stay as long as the bartender keeps serving beer.
Lord have mercy, I'm thirsty pass me a beer
Colt Ford is thirsty and wants someone to give him a beer.
Been working all day, bout ready to play
Colt Ford has been working all day and is ready to have fun.
I done called all my boys and they on their way
Colt Ford has invited all his friends to come to the party.
And we ain't goin' home til the sun come up
Colt Ford and his friends will stay at the party until morning.
And if I'm too drunk to drive I'll just sleep in my truck
If Colt Ford is too drunk to drive, he will sleep in his truck instead of risking driving while intoxicated.
Got my eye on that blonde with the heart shaped ass
Colt Ford is attracted to a woman with a curvy figure.
She been lookin' at me since I walked in the door
The woman Colt Ford is interested in has been checking him out since he arrived at the party.
'Bout time for ole Colt to twirl her round the dance floor
Colt Ford plans to ask the woman to dance with him soon.
See if she got a thing for them ole cowboys
Colt Ford wonders if the woman likes cowboy types like himself.
Who like to fight, raise hell, and make a lot of noise
Colt Ford is describing his own personality as a cowboy who likes to have fun and make noise at parties.
Well here's the situation, the blonde wasn't cooking
The woman Colt Ford is interested in isn't interested in him, so he's changing his approach.
But she came with a friend who was just as goodlooking
The woman Colt Ford is interested in came with a friend who is also attractive.
So I eased on over with a bottle of bud
Colt Ford moves over to the group with a beer in hand.
Looked her right in the eye, said little lady "what's up"?
Colt Ford introduces himself to the woman he's interested in and tries to initiate a conversation.
D'you like country boys with a southern drawl
Colt Ford asks the woman if she's interested in men with southern accents.
Who fish, hunt, and fight, say yes ma'am and ya'll?
Colt Ford lists some of the traits that he associates with being a southern country boy.
If so then I might be just your type
Colt Ford suggests that he might be the type of guy the woman is interested in.
If not what the hell? Darlin' I won't tell
Colt Ford jokes that if the woman isn't interested, he won't be offended and won't tell anyone about it.
My truck is out front I got a cooler of beer
Colt Ford has his truck parked outside with a cooler full of beer.
I might fight a grizzly bear for a piece of that ass
Colt Ford is very interested in the woman he's talking to and would go to great lengths to be with her.
As a matter of fact, run and get your friends
Colt Ford invites the woman to bring her friends along to hang out.
I'll round up the boys we can make some noise
Colt Ford and his friends will have a good time and make noise together with the woman and her friends.
C'mon pass me a cold one, buddy it's that time again
Colt Ford asks his friend to give him another beer, as the party is still going strong.
So just keep them taps a-flowing, the first round's all on me
Colt Ford tells the bartender to keep serving beer and he will pay for the first round, as they continue the party.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Justin Spillner, Colt Ford, Jared Sciullo, Shannon Houchins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind