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.
Trashy Women
Confederate Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, my taste in music and women drove my folks half wild
Mom and dad had a plan for me, it was debutantes and, ah, symphonies
But I like my music, how I like my women wild.
Yeah, and I like my women just a little on the trashy side.
When they wear their clothes too tight and their hair is dyed.
Too much lipstick and, ah, too much rouge
And I like my women just a little on the trashy side.
You should have seen the looks on the faces of my dad and mom
When I showed up at the door with my date for the senior prom
They said, "Well, pardon us, son, she ain't no kid!
That's a cocktail waitress in a Dolly Pardon wig!"
I said, "I know it, Dad. Ain't she cool! That's the kind I dig!"
Yeah, and I like my women just a little on the trashy side.
When they wear their clothes too tight and their hair is dyed.
Too much lipstick and, ah, too much rouge
Gets me excited, leaves me feeling confused
And I like my women just a little on the trashy side.
I like 'em sweet, I like 'em with a heart of gold
Yeah, and I like 'em brassy, I like 'em brazen and bold
Well, they say that opposites attract, well I don't agree
I want a woman just as tacky as me
Yeah, I like my women just a little on the trashy side.
Yeah, and I like my women just a little on the trashy side.
When they wear their clothes too tight and their hair is dyed.
Too much lipstick and, ah, too much rouge
Gets me excited, leaves me feeling confused
And I like my women just a little on the trashy side.
Yeah, I like my women and I like 'em on the trashy side!
"Trashy Women" by Confederate Railroad is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of women who flout convention and embrace their own sense of style. The singer describes growing up in a "sophisticated" environment where his parents had high expectations for him, but he preferred wild music and women. He prefers women who wear tight clothes, dye their hair, and wear too much makeup, which leaves him feeling confused and excited. He enjoys dating "trashy" women, because they are unpretentious, honest, and not afraid to be themselves. The song concludes with the singer insisting that he wants a woman who is just as "tacky" as him.
Despite the song's controversial lyrics, it was a hit for Confederate Railroad, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1993. The song's success was due in large part to its catchy melody and upbeat tempo, but it also struck a chord with listeners who appreciated the novelty of its subject matter. The song's humor and irony appealed to a wide range of audiences, and it became one of the band's most popular tracks.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I was raised in a sophisticated kind of style
I grew up in a refined environment where my parents wanted me to be cultured and refined.
Yeah, my taste in music and women drove my folks half wild
My parents were bothered by my preference for wild music and women.
Mom and dad had a plan for me, it was debutantes and, ah, symphonies
My parents had ambitious plans for me to be with cultured women and enjoy refined music.
But I like my music, how I like my women wild.
I prefer my music and women to be wild and free-spirited.
You should have seen the looks on the faces of my dad and mom
My parents were visibly shocked when they saw the woman I brought to senior prom.
When I showed up at the door with my date for the senior prom
I arrived at my senior prom with a woman who was not what my parents had hoped for.
They said, "Well, pardon us, son, she ain't no kid!
My parents were taken aback and bewildered because the woman was not sophisticated or refined.
That's a cocktail waitress in a Dolly Parton wig!"
My date was a cocktail waitress who was imitating Dolly Parton's style.
I said, "I know it, Dad. Ain't she cool! That's the kind I dig!"
I told my dad that I found my date to be attractive because she was wild and free-spirited.
I like 'em sweet, I like 'em with a heart of gold
I like women who are kind and pure-hearted.
Yeah, and I like 'em brassy, I like 'em brazen and bold
I also like women who are bold and daring.
Well, they say that opposites attract, well I don't agree
I do not believe in the concept of opposites attracting.
I want a woman just as tacky as me
I prefer a woman who is just as wild and free-spirited as I am.
Yeah, I like my women and I like 'em on the trashy side!
I am attracted to women who are wild, free-spirited, and not afraid to be themselves.
Yeah, and I like my women just a little on the trashy side.
I am not drawn to women who are too refined or sophisticated, preferring those who are a bit wild.
When they wear their clothes too tight and their hair is dyed.
I find it attractive when women dress provocatively or dye their hair daring colors.
Too much lipstick and, ah, too much rouge
I am drawn to women who put on excessive makeup, such as lipstick and rouge.
Gets me excited, leaves me feeling confused
When I see a woman who fits my preferred type, I feel both excited and disoriented.
Lyrics © GROPER MUSIC INC
Written by: CHRIS WALL, JERRY JEFF WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind