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.
This Is Our Song
Colt Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Imma show you who I am if you really think you wanna
Take a ride down the dirty road, show ya where the still is
Skeered? stay at home son, this is where the real is
Folks 'round her still believe in God
And the right to tote a gun and our flag don't run
Ain't askin' you fo nothin' if we can't get it on our own
Y'all can do y'all and we'll do us
And our money should always say "In God We Trust"
So if you think like that, then you one of us
If not then move on and leave us alone
'Cause country folk can survive, jus' ask Hank
Leave my money in my pocket y'all can have the bank
I'm tryin to tell ya we smarter than some of y'all think
Even though we talk slow all of y'all should know that..
[Chorus]
This is our song everybody sing it
Clap your hands y'all and do it like you mean it
Stand our ground and we don't back down
If you're from a small town and you're never gonna leave it
This is our song everybody sing it
Clap your hands y'all and do it like you mean
Stand our ground and we don't back down
And if you don't like it then don't come around
We come from hardworking people, they can't stand a thief
Don't like a liar, freezer full of deer meat
Home grown tomatoes in the kitchen window
Daddy is a deacon, mama sings "Swing Low"
At the church in the choir, Sunday dinners on the fire
Colt Ford Danny Boone gettin' mud up on the tires
We represent our folk but don't take us for a joke
We got a cooler full of boo and a pocket full of smoke
Yeah we country as corn bread, and pumpin' Nappy Roots
And if it ain't funeral we ain't gon' wear a suit
We peein' off the front porch, peein' of da back
'Cause we livin' in da boonies and they don't know where we at
Can't market us urban, won't market us rural
Drinkin' moonshine till we drunk and seein' plural
Small town livin' and we don't give a damn
If yo Hollywood or not, 'cause we know who we am
[Chorus]
Ain't funny how the money change who you is
Sell your sould to teh devil be a star in his biz
Give up everything so you can play this game
Make a buncha folks happy that don't know yo name
Don't worry 'bout me, Imma spit the truth
See I gotta represent for our country youth
And keep hope alive, cuz I will survive
With a shotgun baby and a four wheel drive
I'm buck huntin' dog runnin' playin' in a mud hole
Pumping Johnny Cash, haulin' ass down a back road
Love it in the country where my soul is free
In God and my family is all I need, sing it
[Chorus x2]
The Colt Ford song "This Is Our Song" is a celebration of country living and the values that come with it. The lyrics focus on the idea of hard-working, gun-toting, God-fearing people who take pride in their small towns and rural lifestyles. The song speaks to the idea that "big city" values and ways of life don't belong in the country and that country folk don't need anyone else to tell them how to live their lives.
The opening lines of the song, "It's the mudslingin', country singin' redneck stunner, Imma show you who I am if you really think you wanna," set the tone for the song. Colt Ford is proud of who he is and isn't afraid to show it. He goes on to talk about the importance of family, church, and traditional American values like the right to bear arms and the importance of hard work.
Overall, "This Is Our Song" is a celebration of country living and the values that come with it. Colt Ford reminds listeners that country folk are proud of who they are and won't let anyone tell them how to live their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the mudslingin', country singin' redneck stunner
I am a proud hardworking country man who loves country music and doesn't care about fancy city lifestyles.
Imma show you who I am if you really think you wanna
I am not afraid to be who I am and I will gladly share my way of life with others who are interested.
Take a ride down the dirty road, show ya where the still is
I will take you on a tour of my neighborhood and show you our way of life and our traditions.
Skeered? stay at home son, this is where the real is
If you are afraid or intimidated by my way of life, you should stay at home and not bother us.
Folks 'round her still believe in God
The people in my community have a strong faith in God and it is an important part of our lives.
And the right to tote a gun and our flag don't run
We believe in our right to bear arms and we are proud of our country and its flag.
Ain't askin' you fo nothin' if we can't get it on our own
We are self-sufficient and we do not need anything from outsiders, we can take care of ourselves.
Tell the government to leave my check and church alone
We do not want the government interfering with our lives, including our finances and religious practices.
Y'all can do y'all and we'll do us
We do not judge others and their way of life, and we expect the same respect in return.
And our money should always say "In God We Trust"
We believe in putting our faith in God, and it is reflected in our national currency.
So if you think like that, then you one of us
If you share our values and beliefs, then you are welcome to join us and be a part of our community.
If not then move on and leave us alone
If you do not share our values and beliefs, then we ask you to respect our way of life and not interfere with it.
'Cause country folk can survive, jus' ask Hank
Our way of life and traditions have been passed down for generations, and we are resilient and tough like the late country singer Hank Williams.
Leave my money in my pocket y'all can have the bank
We value our personal finances and we do not care about the big banks and corporations.
I'm tryin to tell ya we smarter than some of y'all think
We may talk slow or have different ways of doing things, but we are not stupid and we know what we are doing.
Even though we talk slow all of y'all should know that..
Our slow speech or different ways of life should not be mistaken for lack of intelligence or capability.
This is our song everybody sing it
This song represents our values, traditions and way of life, and we are proud of it.
Clap your hands y'all and do it like you mean it
We want others to also enjoy our song and take part in it with sincerity and enthusiasm.
Stand our ground and we don't back down
We are determined and resilient people, who stand for what we believe in and never give up.
If you're from a small town and you're never gonna leave it
If you share our way of life and values, and you are content with living in a small town, you are one of us.
We come from hardworking people, they can't stand a thief
Our ancestors and families have always been hardworking people, and we do not tolerate dishonesty or theft.
Don't like a liar, freezer full of deer meat
We take pride in hunting and providing for our families, and we do not tolerate liars or dishonest people.
Home grown tomatoes in the kitchen window
We take pride in planting and growing our own food, and we enjoy the fruits of our labor in our homes.
Daddy is a deacon, mama sings "Swing Low"
Religion and faith are an important part of our families, and our parents are involved in church activities.
At the church in the choir, Sunday dinners on the fire
We enjoy spending time with our families and our community, and we often have gatherings and events centered around our church.
Colt Ford Danny Boone gettin' mud up on the tires
We are proud of our country music and artists, who often perform during events and gatherings.
We represent our folk but don't take us for a joke
We are proud of our community and our way of life, and we do not appreciate others making fun of or belittling us.
We got a cooler full of boo and a pocket full of smoke
We enjoy spending time with friends and family, and often socialize with alcohol and tobacco.
Yeah we country as corn bread, and pumpin' Nappy Roots
We love our country roots, and we enjoy listening to and supporting our favorite country music artists.
And if it ain't funeral we ain't gon' wear a suit
We do not care about formal attire or dressing up, and we only do it during solemn occasions like funerals.
We peein' off the front porch, peein' of da back
We live in remote areas with no restrooms nearby, and we do not hesitate to take care of our business outside.
'Cause we livin' in da boonies and they don't know where we at
We live in remote areas that outsiders are not familiar with, and we enjoy our privacy and independence.
Can't market us urban, won't market us rural
We are not interested in fitting in to urban or city lifestyles, and we do not appreciate others trying to market or sell our way of life.
Drinkin' moonshine till we drunk and seein' plural
We enjoy drinking moonshine, a traditional homemade liquor, and we often drink till we are drunk and see multiple images.
Small town livin' and we don't give a damn
We take pride in our small town lifestyle, and we do not care about what others think of it.
If yo Hollywood or not, 'cause we know who we am
We do not care about celebrities or Hollywood lifestyles, because we are proud of our own way of life and identity.
Ain't funny how the money change who you is
We do not appreciate how money can change people and their values or identity.
Sell your sould to teh devil be a star in his biz
We do not admire people who compromise their values or morals for the sake of fame or money.
Give up everything so you can play this game
We do not appreciate how some people are willing to sacrifice important things in their lives for the sake of entertainment or fame.
Make a buncha folks happy that don't know yo name
We do not appreciate how some people are willing to remain anonymous for the sake of entertaining others and making them happy.
Don't worry 'bout me, Imma spit the truth
We speak our minds and share the truth, regardless of what others may think or say about us.
See I gotta represent for our country youth
We feel responsible for representing our country community and youth, and we take pride in our identity and values.
And keep hope alive, cuz I will survive
We are resilient and determined people who do not give up easily, and we always have hope for the future.
With a shotgun baby and a four wheel drive
We enjoy hunting and outdoor activities, and we take pride in our country vehicles and equipment.
I'm buck huntin' dog runnin' playin' in a mud hole
We enjoy hunting dogs and playing in muddy areas, and we take pride in our outdoor activities.
Pumping Johnny Cash, haulin' ass down a back road
We enjoy listening to classic country music, and we take pride in our country vehicles and driving down dirt roads.
Love it in the country where my soul is free
We enjoy living in the country where we have more freedom and space to enjoy our way of life and hobbies.
In God and my family is all I need, sing it
We believe that our faith in God and our families are the most important things in our lives, and we take pride in them.
Chorus
This is the chorus of the song that talks about our pride and identity as country folk, and encourages others to join us in celebrating it.
Lyrics © ASSET MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: BRIAN KING, CLAY SHARPE, COLT FORD, JARED RYAN SCIULLO, JIMMY DANIEL ALEXANDER, JUSTIN N. SPILLNER, MATTHEW JONES, SHANNON HOUCHINS, WARREN ANDERSON MATHIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crystalbyers9660
This song is my home town of Yankeetown, Indiana's theme song.
Ironically, my residence was the last house, where the black top ends.
Yankeetown, Indiana... "This Is OUR Song"... Other cities, you may think this is for your lil county... Which is so cute. #Yankeetown
#R.N.U.M
#LocalsDriveMilesOutOfTheirWayToAvoidOurTerritory
P.s.
😏😏😏 Bring on the "BULLSHIT" Comments about your "badass town"... I'm in need of a good chuckle!!! (Be sure to back up your stories, if ya can...)
Let's see your "Small Town Livin"
(👀👀👀, some one PLEASE, D.M. me with their pics/stories, choice wisely, I will most likely embarrass ya💜💜💜)
@kellywhite6241
Love this song! And the movie Baytown Outlaws!❤❤❤
@Dreamweaver215
i'm digging your sound ... just watched Baytown Outlaws and just had to come hear your song again .. like others here have said cant get enough of it. Thank You again for such a great song.
@AwwsummSauce
Baytown Outlaws brought me. I can't get enough of this song
@Pondpeople22
Love this song me and my buddies ride around listening to this song all the time..every word is true in this song
@DixieBlueBell
this is my song. country girl alll the way :)
@tylerdemoss5390
This is like the best song ever
@garrettdavis4549
Completely agree!
@acamiln8354
I heard it at the end of a movie in Serbia. I have listened it 10.000 times :)...my wife would kill me...:)
@ThePeacemaker67
And a very great song...!!! THX!!!!!!! :)
@panpan228
BAYTOWN OUTLAWS......LOVE THEM BAMA BOYS!!! LOVE THIS SONG.....