Led by Shirley, the original group which came to the attention of Atlantic president Rick Blackburn, consisted of guitarist Michael Lamb, Gates Nichols on pedal steel, keyboard player Chris McDaniel, Wayne Secrest on bass and Mark DuFresne on drums. Lamb left the group in 1995 and was replaced by Jimmy Dormire.
Despite Confederate Railroad's outward appearance as a tougher-than-leather Southern rock band, it was a reflective ballad which spoke of two old reliable loves which vaulted the group into stardom. "Jesus and Mama" entered the country chart during the warm months of 1992, and hit the Top Five that autumn.
She Took It Like A Man
Confederate Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To tell her we were through
I was sure it would break her heart
Tear her world in two
She is such a fragile thing
Lord, I hate to make her cry
So I broke it to her gently
She cussed me like a sailor
Kicked a hole through the kitchen wall
She threw a fit and threw the phone
Half-way down the hall
She said I'll be down at the bar
Then I heard the front door slam
I guess all in all
She took it like a man
I was thinking she'd reach out to me
And beg me not to go
Or run straight to her momma's
'Cause I'd hurt her so
Thought she'd be devastated
I had a tender moment plan
I didn't think that she could take it
But she took it like a man
In the song "She Took it Like A Man," Confederate Railroad sings about the surprising reaction of a fragile and gentle woman when her partner broke up with her. The singer is hesitant to tell her the news because he knows it will cause her immense pain. However, when he finally breaks the news, the woman does not react as he expects. Instead of crying or pleading with him to stay, she becomes violent and breaks things around the house. She then calmly informs him that she will be headed down to the bar, and walks out the door without looking back. The singer is left in shock by her unexpected reaction, feeling somewhat emasculated by her lack of emotional display.
The song speaks to the societal expectation that women are supposed to be emotional and fragile, and how these expectations can be unfairly imposed upon them. The singer is surprised by the woman's strength and resilience in the face of heartbreak, which challenges his own assumptions about her. By taking her breakup "like a man," the woman defies gender norms and shows that women can be just as tough as men.
Overall, the lyrics of "She Took It Like A Man" offer an interesting commentary on gender roles and expectations in relationships. The song challenges stereotypes and suggests that women are just as capable of handling heartbreak as men are.
Line by Line Meaning
I hated like the devil
I really didn't want to do it
To tell her we were through
To break up with her
I was sure it would break her heart
I thought it would really hurt her
Tear her world in two
Make her feel like her life was over
She is such a fragile thing
She's a delicate person
Lord, I hate to make her cry
I don't want her to be sad
So I broke it to her gently
I tried to be kind when I broke up with her
When I told her goodbye
When I said we were over
She cussed me like a sailor
She swore at me a lot
Kicked a hole through the kitchen wall
She kicked the wall and made a hole in it
She threw a fit and threw the phone
She had a tantrum and threw the phone
Half-way down the hall
Towards the middle of the hallway
She said I'll be down at the bar
She said she was going to the bar
Then I heard the front door slam
Then I heard her slam the front door
I guess all in all
Overall
She took it like a man
She handled it well
I was thinking she'd reach out to me
I expected her to come to me for comfort
And beg me not to go
And ask me to stay with her
Or run straight to her momma's
Or go to her mother's house
'Cause I'd hurt her so
Because I had hurt her
Thought she'd be devastated
Thought she would be very upset
I had a tender moment plan
I had planned to have a gentle, emotional conversation with her
I didn't think that she could take it
I didn't think she would handle it well
But she took it like a man
But she handled it well
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MAYO, NELSON, STALEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SGBassplayer
One of the best ‘90s country albums ever. Full stop.
@mrpensive7341
100%
@robyngibson1710
I have seen this group twice in 2023. If you haven't ever seen them live you really need to. Super talented, great entertainers and really nice guys!!!
@lorirose3846
They still tour. I thought they broke up a long time ago.
@bengagliardo1080
chicken wire reminds me of the blues brothers movie .. in bobs country bunker
@nickvickers3486
Classic scene!
@mikemoore1687
Or Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse
@cynthiamatthews
When he was about 14, Danny told me he wanted to be a famous singer when he grew up. He was so determined, I was pretty sure he would do it, and he did! ❤️😊
@nestafari1976
This is one that I will ALWAYS sing when it's on. After my mom died, my dad and I would turn it up, sing it loud, and have a good time when I would come home at night. We'd sit and drink beer and listen to this album, but when I got to dancin', he'd cut me off. Love and miss you dad. R.I.P. Lois and Randy. Your son...
@deborahpuckett8525
I've seen them several times over the years. I still love them. Don't ever change.