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.
Time Off For Bad Behavior
Confederate Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep the woman and the water and the lights and the phone turned on
I've been sayin' Yes sir all day at work, I've been sayin' Yes maam at home
Savin' up my cuss words and keepin' 'em under my tongue
[Chorus]
I need a little time off for bad behavior
The devil in me done been asleep too long
It looks like I been too good for too long
Well I went to a company party, I didn't even drink enough to get high
I met a preppy little wimp I shoulda whipped but I let him slide
Ol' Hambone McGraw got the law paid off dealing blackjack Saturday nights
And I could triple my take-home pay if it weren't for my wife
[Chorus]
I got a number on my mind that I been a fightin' off the urge to call
A hot, hell-raisin' blonde bomb with a Southern drawl
Some good-old boys called collect from Mississippi, said the fishin' been a missin' me
And I could sure get it up for a smoke and a Delta Queen
[Chorus]
The song "Time Off For Bad Behavior" by Confederate Railroad tells the story of a hardworking man who feels like he is constantly saying "yes sir" and "yes ma'am" in order to keep his job and his household running smoothly. He admits to saving up his anger and frustration, which he refers to as his "cuss words", in order to maintain his composure. However, he also admits that he feels like he has been too good for too long and that he needs a break from his responsibilities to engage in some bad behavior.
Throughout the song, the singer lists off various temptations that he is fighting off, including drinking, fighting, gambling, and cheating. He even admits to having a number on his mind, likely that of a woman he is tempted to call. The chorus repeats the phrase "I need a little time off for bad behavior" several times, reinforcing the idea that the singer needs to let loose and engage in some risky behavior in order to feel alive again.
Overall, "Time Off For Bad Behavior" is a song about a man who feels like he is constantly walking on the straight and narrow, and who is desperate for a chance to let his wild side out. It is a reminder that even the most responsible and hardworking among us need a break every now and then.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm up and gone everyday at dawn just a workin' like a regular dog
I wake up early in the morning and start working hard like a dog every day
To keep the woman and the water and the lights and the phone turned on
I work hard to pay for the expenses like water, electricity, and phone bills to keep my family happy
I've been sayin' Yes sir all day at work, I've been sayin' Yes maam at home
I have to behave well at work and at home by using respectable words like 'Yes sir' and 'Yes ma'am'
Savin' up my cuss words and keepin' 'em under my tongue
I am controlling my urge to use bad language or cuss words by keeping them to myself
I need a little time off for bad behavior
I need a break from behaving well all the time
The devil in me done been asleep too long
I have been behaving well for so long that my mischievous side has been suppressed
Well I went to a company party, I didn't even drink enough to get high
I went to a party but did not drink too much to get high
I met a preppy little wimp I shoulda whipped but I let him slide
I met a weak person who deserved to be punished, but I did not do anything about it
Ol' Hambone McGraw got the law paid off dealing blackjack Saturday nights
A person named Hamboe McGraw bribed the police to be able to deal blackjack on Saturdays
And I could triple my take-home pay if it weren't for my wife
I could earn three times my current salary if my wife were not there to spend my money
I got a number on my mind that I been a fightin' off the urge to call
I have been trying hard to resist the temptation to call a specific phone number
A hot, hell-raisin' blonde bomb with a Southern drawl
The person I want to call is a very attractive woman with a southern accent who loves having fun
Some good-old boys called collect from Mississippi, said the fishin' been a missin' me
Some old friends from Mississippi called me and said that they miss fishing with me
And I could sure get it up for a smoke and a Delta Queen
I am longing for a smoke and a good time on a boat called Delta Queen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEEL, ROBERT ELWIN / LATIMER, LARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Milton Moore
For Johnny Matherne. Your
"who cares" attitude, use of
scurrilous language in your
original inflammatory
comment, and
general illiteracy
place you into
the lower echelon
of society and
earn for you the
pushback you
deserve.
kmackiss
Great cover , hard to beat DAC . good job .
William Kegley
But this is the best version
mintgumdropz1
My theme song, for when i go to Utah,after 18 years of marriage. Been faithful,been a good lil June Cleaver, far too long... Time off for bad behavior, I'd say ??
Art's Bobcat
An Awesome tune :) love it
Willie Dixon
Sounds like a Soddy Daisy man to me.
Black Rhino
Better than DAC.. love this version. Keyboard player is awesome
bobby keel
Wrote this one back in 1982. Thanks for putting it on youtube. Bobby Keel
Paul Smith
@Joshua Tyrone & Blues N Trouble Maybe you should do a little research before you embarrass yourself by making such assertive comments.
nglshbiker
@Joshua Tyrone & Blues N Trouble Actually Bobby Keel, David Allan Coe, Larry Latimer wrote it together - verified by Wikipedia and other sources
Joshua Tyrone & Blues N Trouble
David Allan Coe wrote this, not you