People Know You By Your First Name
Dean Brody Lyrics


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It's a town just outside of nowhere
With a general store and one lamp pole
We got wheat fields saw mills and coal mines
Down home country folks

Raised on 4H and dance hall auctions
Spaghetti dinners and parkin' lot fights
Oh, we might be a little bit backwoods
But 'round here that's all right

Where people know you by your first name
What kinda truck you drive
How your team did back in high school
So you can't lie
Better watch out who you take home
'Cause 'round here it's a fact of life
That people know you by your first name
And what you did last night

So c'mon down to our fund raiser dinner it'll be a high school reunion I swear
Another family fallin' on hard times
So there won't be an empty chair

Listen close and you'll hear a local legend
(Jimmy Crocket) and that twelve point rack
Oh and you thought you were alone skinny dippin' in the springs last night
Word here travels fast

Where people know you by your first name what kinda truck you drive
How your team did back in high school
So can't lie
Better watch out who you take home
'Cause 'round here it's a fact of life
That people know you by your first name
And what you did last night

Here we go

Where people know you by your first name what kinda truck you drive
How your team did back in high school
So can't lie
Better watch out who you take home
'Cause 'round here it's a fact of life
That people know you by your first name
And what you did last night

Yeah people know you by your first name
And what you did last night

Overall Meaning

The song "People Know You By Your First Name" by Dean Brody is a celebration of small-town living and the tight-knit community that comes with it. The opening verse describes the town as being "just outside of nowhere," emphasizing its isolated and remote nature. The town's charm is underscored by its quaint features, such as a single lamp pole and a general store. The lyrics describe the town's key industries, including wheat fields, saw mills, and coal mines, showing how the residents are tied to their rural environment. Despite being perceived as "backwoods," the singer notes that this is acceptable in their community.


The song goes on to emphasize the small-town lifestyle's social arrangements. For instance, the chorus notes that "people know you by your first name" and "what you did last night." Small-town life is not anonymous; everyone is aware of the others' activities, including who you are and what vehicle you drive. The lyrics describe how these social connections manifest in the town's activities, such as a fundraiser dinner that doubles as a high school reunion. The song also highlights community support, with residents coming together to support a family struggling financially.


Overall, the song presents a nostalgic view of small-town life, its social aspects, and the importance of community. It celebrates the unique bonds of belonging and support that characterize rural communities and their intimate social networks.


Line by Line Meaning

It's a town just outside of nowhere
The town is small and isolated, found in a remote location.


With a general store and one lamp pole
The town has a few establishments and limited amenities.


We got wheat fields saw mills and coal mines
The town's economy is based on agriculture, logging, and mining industries.


Down home country folks
The locals are modest and humble country people.


Raised on 4H and dance hall auctions
The community values agriculture and social gatherings.


Spaghetti dinners and parkin' lot fights
The community enjoys casual celebrations and occasional brawls.


Oh, we might be a little bit backwoods
The town is a bit rustic and primitive.


But 'round here that's all right
However, being backwoods is accepted and appreciated in the town.


Where people know you by your first name
The locals know everyone personally, often by their first names.


What kinda truck you drive
They can identify you by your vehicle make and model.


How your team did back in high school
They know your school and sports history and achievements.


So you can't lie
You can't fake or lie about your personal facts in this town.


Better watch out who you take home
You must be cautious about who you date or bring home.


'Cause 'round here it's a fact of life
It is a common fact of life that people gossip and spread news.


That people know you by your first name
The locals can quickly identify and recognize you by your first name.


And what you did last night
They may already know what you did the previous night.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Dean Brody, Moke Cameron

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@milesmabale3641

It's a town just outside of nowhere
With a general store and one lamp pole
We got wheat fields saw mills and coal mines
Down home country folks
Raised on four eighteen dance hall auctions
Spaghetti dinners and parking lot fights
How it might be a little backwards
But 'round here it's alright

The people know you by your first name
And what kind of truck you drive
How you teamed did back in high school
So you can't lie

Better watch out who you take home
'Cause 'round here it's a fact of life
Yeah people know you by your first name
What you did last night

So come on down to our fund raiser dinner
It'll be a high school reunion I swear
Another family fallen on hard times
So there won't be an empty chair
Listen close and you'll hear local legend

[Incomprehensible]
And you thought you were alone
Skinny dipping the springs last night
But word here travels fast

The people know you by your first name
And what kind of truck you drive
How you teamed it back in high school
So you can't lie
Better watch out who you take home
'Cause 'round here it's a fact of life
Yeah people know you by your first name
What you did last night
Here we go

People know you by your first name
And what kind of truck you drive
How you teamed did back in high school
So you can't lie
Better watch out who you take home
'Cause 'round here it's a fact of life
Yeah people know you by your first name
What you did last night
Yeah people know you by your first name
What you did last night hey hey

Source: Musixmatch



All comments from YouTube:

@Alexander-o4m8m

I heard him write a bad song once. OK that is rumour. Dean Brody - Canada's Gold Standard

@FrankieDaix1978

Awesome tune, Dean you are my favourite current country artist, I really love Right Round Here I just heard it yesterday, I don’t listen to the radio too often cheers on another great one, I’m from Nova Scotia , I heard you live in the maritimes , it would be nice to see you in Cape Breton, I think you were here before but I was away working

@evagiesbrecht7709

this is so my town! i live in a small town in albera with a pop. of 300 and and everyone knows you by your first name around here

@LemonGirl2166

I really love his music I wish I knew more song's of his he's super great I'm glad I picked up his CD at the library now I can't stop listeing to it

@catherinehooper9039

Coboconk Ontario Canada! Love The Trail Of Life Dean! I was adopted too! I cried!

@kel8126

My Graduation song! Class of 2013!

@princessofchina2315

SEEN HIM LIVE LAST WEEK IN SAINT JOHN <3 AMAZING. BEST SHOW IVE EVER ATTENDED!! LOVE YOU Dean!

@deanbrody23

Thanks for being part of my dream story;there’s no way I could repay you.Thankful for constantly supporting me, believing me,loving me,making me happy and challenging me to be a better in my field

@catherinehooper9039

A true Coby song! TY Dean! City people just don't get it!

@AmyElizabeth12100

Ahhhh yeah!!! saw him live last night :)

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