His second album, 2009's Carolina, produced three more singles: "Smoke a Little Smoke" and his first top 10 hits, "Love Your Love the Most" and "Hell on the Heart". 2011's Chief, his first #1 album, gave him his first two #1 singles, "Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen", and the hits "Homeboy", "Creepin'", and "Like Jesus Does". His third #1 single was "The Only Way I Know", which he, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan recorded for Aldean's album Night Train.
A fourth album, The Outsiders, was released in February 2014. It produced five new singles between 2013 and 2015 with the title track, "Give Me Back My Hometown", "Cold One", "Talladega" and "Like a Wrecking Ball". "Talladega" and "Give Me Back My Hometown" each reached #1 on the Country Airplay chart. Eric Church got his sixth #1 hit with Keith Urban in May 2015 with the single "Raise 'Em Up". His fifth studio album, Mr. Misunderstood, was released in November 2015 and went on to produce two #1 singles with "Record Year" and "Round Here Buzz".
On July 13, 2018, Church released the first single and title track of his album Desperate Man, which was released in October 2018.
In April 2021, Church released the double album set Heart & Soul.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones
Eric Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spelled with all four y's
Was born in 70-something
Between "Sweet Home" and "You Got That Right"
His mama met his daddy
At a Tallahassee show
But just like Tuesday
Daddy wound up gone on down the road
Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones
Hailed from Gadsden, Alabama
Born to carry on
Who his mama was a fan of
Don't ask me no questions
And I won't tell you no lies
That's what she always told him
Right up 'til the day she died
Lynyrd wasn't black or white
He was somewhere in between
Throw in, abandoned and confused
And you get the blues when you're just thirteen
Well he found his salvation
In a pawn shop bought guitar
You can't teach that kind of pickin'
It's got to come right from your heart
Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones
Hailed from Gadsden, Alabama
Called to carry on
Who his mama was a fan of
Don't ask me no questions
And I won't tell you no lies
That's what she always told himRight up 'till' the day she died, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
When Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones'
Mama passed away
A dressed in all black, black man
Stood up in back to say
Been thinking about your mama
Since that Tallahassee show
Yeah son, I am your daddy
And my name is Curtis Lowe
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
The lyrics to Eric Church's song "Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones" tell the story of a character named Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones, whose name is spelled with all four y's. The song describes his background and journey through life. Lynyrd was born in the 1970s, growing up in Gadsden, Alabama. His parents met at a Tallahassee show, but his father eventually left, leaving his mother to raise him alone.
Lynyrd's heritage is described as being caught somewhere in between black and white, leading to a sense of confusion and abandonment. At the age of thirteen, he discovers his passion and salvation in playing the guitar, which he purchases from a pawn shop. The song emphasizes that his talent for playing cannot be taught but comes from his heart.
The chorus repeats the description of Lynyrd as hailing from Gadsden, Alabama, carrying on for his mother, who was a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd. It also includes the phrase "Don't ask me no questions, And I won't tell you no lies," which echoes the idea of his mother's advice.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics reveal an unexpected twist. When Lynyrd's mother passes away, a black man, dressed in all black, stands up at the funeral and declares himself as Lynyrd's father. He mentions that he has been thinking about Lynyrd's mother since the Tallahassee show and reveals that his name is Curtis Lowe.
Overall, "Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones" tells a poignant story of identity, resilience, and musical passion in the face of adversity. It explores themes of family, heritage, and the power of music to bridge gaps between people.
Line by Line Meaning
Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones
The singer of the song, born with a unique name spelled with four y's.
Spelled with all four y's
Highlighting the unusual spelling of Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones' name.
Was born in 70-something
Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones was born in the 1970s.
Between 'Sweet Home' and 'You Got That Right'
Referring to the famous songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd, indicating his birth timeline.
His mama met his daddy
Describing the meeting of Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones' parents.
At a Tallahassee show
The place where Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones' parents met.
But just like Tuesday
Comparing the departure of Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones' father to an everyday occurrence.
Daddy wound up gone on down the road
The father left and disappeared from their lives.
Hailed from Gadsden, Alabama
Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones comes from Gadsden, Alabama.
Born to carry on
It was his destiny to continue a legacy.
Who his mama was a fan of
Referring to Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band his mother admired.
Don't ask me no questions
Implying that there are things one should not inquire about.
And I won't tell you no lies
Promising not to deceive or provide false information.
That's what she always told him
The mother consistently emphasized not asking questions.
Right up 'til' the day she died
Continuing the previous idea until the mother's passing.
Lynyrd wasn't black or white
Referring to the racial ambiguity of Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones.
He was somewhere in between
Describing his identity as falling between racial categories.
Throw in, abandoned and confused
Adding to his identity struggle, feeling neglected and lost.
And you get the blues when you're just thirteen
Expressing the emotional impact of these circumstances at a young age.
Well he found his salvation
Discovering his solace or relief.
In a pawn shop bought guitar
Finding comfort in playing a guitar purchased from a pawn shop.
You can't teach that kind of pickin'
Referring to the unique style of guitar playing that comes naturally.
It's got to come right from your heart
Highlighting that true musical expression stems from genuine emotions.
When Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones' mama passed away
Referring to the death of Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones' mother.
A dressed in all black, black man
Describing the appearance of an African American man.
Stood up in back to say
The man stood up from the back to make a statement.
Been thinking about your mama
Expressing his thoughts regarding Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones' mother.
Since that Tallahassee show
Referring to the meeting of Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones' parents in Tallahassee.
Yeah son, I am your daddy
Revealing to Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones that he is his biological father.
And my name is Curtis Lowe
Introducing himself as Curtis Lowe, the father figure.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Casey Beathard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind