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.
Like Me
Colt Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord have mercy.
This here makes me feel good!
I believe I'm about to get my fishin' pole out my truck.
Oh, I gotta tell y'all what it feels like to be me,
what it feels like to be country!
Y'all come with me, check this out.
I really want all of y'all to see
I know a boy from way down south is pretty good with a rope and fast with his mouth
I came here to represent for y'all, to show you a country boy with a southern drawl
Who can do his thang with the CMT crowd, MTV crowd, BET crowd
Give everybody something really real about this country, life so they all can feel
How good it is to be like us: blue jeans, boots and big ol' trucks.
Yes ma'am and thank you that's what we do. I'm proud to be country, now how 'bout you?
Put on your cowboy hat so the world can see. Look them all in the eye they better wish they was me.
I bet you wish you walked like me,
damn sure wish you could talk like me.
I bet you wish you had a horse like mine,
know how to plow a field and make strawberry wine.
I bet you wish you had a truck like me,
ain't scared to saddle up if it bucks like me.
I bet you wonder how I got it like that,
make all the girls holler when I tip my hat.
Yes sir, everybody ask me what why and how,
could a boy know how to rap, and how to milk a cow.
Here they come baby, I'm just doing my thang,
I'm here to show the world that the country folk got game.
Yeah everybody's tired of hearing all those lies,
guys talking tough on a record to get a piece of the pie.
Colt loves the ladies and they love me,
loaded with southern charm, I don't mean no harm.
So gather round, country boys and girls,
this one's for you so what you gonna do?
If y'all believe in the USA,
and fight for your freedom every single day become a cowboy,
an' that's all I know.
'Aint scared to move fast but like to live slow,
put on your cowboy hat so the world can see. Look 'em all in the eye they
better wish they was me.
I bet you wish you walked like me,
damn sure wish you could talk like me.
I bet you wish you had a horse like mine,
know how to plow a field and make strawberry wine.
I bet you wish you had a truck like me,
ain't scared to saddle up if it bucks like me.
I bet you wonder how I got it like that,
make all the girls holler when I tip my hat.
If you say it like me then I mean for all of y'all,
then its time to stand up and throw your hands up,
be able to raise hell
to this hick – hock sound
make sure they all know the country has come to town.
Be proud of who you are and where you from.
Tell all those that wanna where they can get some.
White, black or brown it don't matter to me,
this here's for everyone that loves the country.
My way of life, my way of thinkin',
God, family, friends and a little bitta' drinkin'.
So put your hat on so the world can see.
Look them all in the eye better wish they was me.
I bet you wish you walked like me,
damn sure wish you could talk like me.
I bet you wish you had a horse like mine,
know how to plow a field and make strawberry wine.
I bet you wish you had a truck like me,
'ain't scared to saddle up if it bucks like me.
I bet you wonder how I got it like that,
make all the girls holler when I tip my hat.
Yes sir,
Yee, haw!
Lord have mercy!
It feels good to be country,
hope y'all feeling like I'm feelin'!
Anytime any of y'all wanna come down here,
y'all can see it how we do it down here in the country.
This is real baby, this
is what we do!
The lyrics of Colt Ford's song "Like Me" celebrate the country lifestyle, and express the pride of the singer and his community in their roots, traditions, and values. The opening lines set the tone by exclaiming the joy and enthusiasm that being country evokes in the singer, who contemplates the idea of fishing and invites the audience to join him in exploring the essence of country living. Colt Ford then goes on to describe himself as an exemplar of the country way, introducing his audience to a boy from the south who is skilled with a rope and a rapper, who can connect with different audiences and share his culture with them. He states that his goal is to give a "real" taste of the country life to everybody, regardless of their background, and to show that country people have skills, talent, and charisma, and deserve to be respected and admired.
Throughout the song, Colt Ford contrasts his way of life with the urban, mainstream culture, highlighting the pride and satisfaction that wearing cowboy hats, boots, and driving big trucks give him. He asserts that he can make girls "holler" with his simple, authentic charm, and that he knows how to work the land, produce wine, and ride horses better than anyone else. He also defends his ability to combine rap and country music and his love for freedom, God, family, friends, and drinking, as integral parts of his identity. In essence, "Like Me" is a celebration of cultural diversity, individuality, and belonging, which seeks to bridge the gap between different subcultures and provide an alternative vision of success and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo hoo!
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm.
Lord have mercy.
Expressing amazement or astonishment.
This here makes me feel good!
Feeling content and happy.
I believe I'm about to get my fishin' pole out my truck.
Ready to spend a leisurely time fishing.
Oh, I gotta tell y'all what it feels like to be me, what it feels like to be country!
Wanting to share the enjoyment of living a country life.
Y'all come with me, check this out.
Inviting the listeners to join and experience a country life.
I really want all of y'all to see that it's great to be country and great to be me.
Encouraging everyone to embrace and appreciate country living and its values.
I know a boy from way down south is pretty good with a rope and fast with his mouth.
Introducing a skilled Southern boy as an example of their culture.
I came here to represent for y'all, to show you a country boy with a southern drawl who can do his thang with the CMT crowd, MTV crowd, BET crowd.
Showcasing a talented country boy who can appeal to different audiences.
Give everybody something really real about this country life so they all can feel how good it is to be like us: blue jeans, boots and big ol' trucks.
Providing a truthful perspective of a country life to widen people's appreciation.
Yes ma'am, and thank you that's what we do. I'm proud to be country, now how 'bout you?
Claiming pride and honor for their country upbringing and asking the listeners to feel the same way.
Put on your cowboy hat so the world can see. Look them all in the eye they better wish they was me.
Encouragement for the audience to savor their country self and make others envious.
I bet you wish you walked like me, damn sure wish you could talk like me.
Confidently stating the uniqueness of their country manner.
I bet you wish you had a horse like mine, know how to plow a field and make strawberry wine.
Boasting about their diverse and useful country skills.
I bet you wish you had a truck like me, ain't scared to saddle up if it bucks like me.
Showing off their adventurous and fearless side as a country dweller.
I bet you wonder how I got it like that, make all the girls holler when I tip my hat.
Piquing curiosity on how they attained their country charm and appeal.
Yes sir, everybody ask me what why and how, could a boy know how to rap, and how to milk a cow.
Addressing the surprise and inquisitiveness towards their country background and skills.
Here they come baby, I'm just doing my thang, I'm here to show the world that the country folk got game.
Armed with their talent and wit, ready to impress and display how remarkable country folk is.
Yeah everybody's tired of hearing all those lies, guys talking tough on a record to get a piece of the pie.
Exposing the insincere and phony messages that some artists perpetuate in their music.
Colt loves the ladies and they love me, loaded with southern charm, I don't mean no harm.
Humorously admitting their irresistibility and chivalry towards women, and being harmless about it.
So gather round, country boys and girls, this one's for you so what you gonna do?
Inviting all Southern peers to share in the country pride and way of life with them.
If y'all believe in the USA, and fight for your freedom every single day become a cowboy, and that's all I know.
Connecting the love for the country and its freedom to an ideal of a cowboy's character and way of life.
'Aint scared to move fast but like to live slow, put on your cowboy hat so the world can see. Look 'em all in the eye they better wish they was me.
Owning their comfortable speed of life and urging the audience to confidently exhibit their country identity.
If you say it like me then I mean for all of y'all, then its time to stand up and throw your hands up, be able to raise hell to this hick – hock sound make sure they all know the country has come to town.
Encouragement for the listeners to express themselves like they do, and to proudly show the world their country side.
Be proud of who you are and where you from. Tell all those that wanna where they can get some. White, black or brown it don't matter to me, this here's for everyone that loves the country.
Emphasizing the acceptance and inclusiveness of all races and backgrounds who share the same love for country life and values.
My way of life, my way of thinkin', God, family, friends and a little bitta' drinkin'.
Describing their personal priorities and perspective towards life.
So put your hat on so the world can see. Look them all in the eye better wish they was me.
Final urging for the listeners to be bold and showcase their unique country persona for the world to behold.
Yee, haw!
Expressing an exciting and celebratory moment.
It feels good to be country, hope y'all feeling like I'm feelin'!
Sharing the enjoyment of living a country life with the audience.
Anytime any of y'all wanna come down here, y'all can see it how we do it down here in the country. This is real baby, this is what we do!
Extending a warm welcome to anyone who wants to experience firsthand the beauty and authenticity of a country way of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DEMOND STANLEY, EDWARD C. KING, GARY ROBERT ROSSINGTON, JASON FARRIS BROWN, RONNIE VAN ZANT, SCOTT HUNTER WEATHERWAX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind