Gretchen was born in Pocahontas, Illinois to a 16-year-old mother. Her father left before she was two years old, and she and her mother lived in trailer parks and relative poverty. Gretchen's mother worked as a waitress, and Gretchen herself dropped out of the 8th grade at age 15 to work as a cook and bartender in rural Illinois.
After a failed marriage to former Baywolfe bandmate Larry Rolens, Gretchen moved to Nashville and began dating Mike Penner. They have a daughter, Grace Frances Penner, who was born November 9, 2000.
Gretchen, who had sung for Kmart as a child, sang in two bar bands by the age of 20. In 1996 she moved to Nashville to sing back-up and record sample songs. In 2000, she met John Rich, a former member of Lonestar, who invited her to become his song-writing partner. Wilson signed with Epic Records in 2003 and recorded Here for the Party within the year.
Her first single, "Redneck Woman", was released in early 2004 and reached the top of the Hot Country Songs charts and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of "Redneck Woman" prompted an earlier-than-planned release for Here for the Party -- May 11, 2004 -- and it debuted at #1 on the Billboard country chart. It also reached #2 on the Billboard 200 and Billboard Internet album sales charts. She performed as a support artist for Brooks & Dunn and Montgomery Gentry.
She released the title track Here For The Party as the second single. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard country chart. Two other songs were released as singles, and both reached the top 10. Released in markets outside the U.S., the album hit #2 on the Australian country charts (behind Kasey Chambers) and the top 50 of the Australian charts. As of July 5, 2004, "Redneck Woman" was #1 on a world composite country chart (based on the U.S., UK, and Australia charts). The album went on sell more than 4 million copies in the U.S. and 5 million worldwide and was certified four times platinum.
On September 27, 2005, Gretchen released her second album, All Jacked Up, which peaked at #1 on both the Top 200 and Country album charts, but, after initial decent sales, the album quickly fell off the charts. It was certified Platinum and sold 1 million copies. The title track, All Jacked Up, peaked at a disappointing #8 on the Country singles chart and was the only song from the album to reach the top 10. The second single, I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today, peaked at #22. The third and the fourth singles were Politically Uncorrect and California Girls, which peaked respectively at #23 and #25 on the Country chart. Kid Rock appeared on "The Other Side of Me," an exclusive track that Target released with the album.
On February 28, 2006, Gretchen appeared on Kid Rock and The Twisted Brown Trucker Band's "Live" Trucker, as she performed "Picture" recorded at Detroit's Cobo Hall, 3/26/04. On November 2006, she released a new single called Come To Bed, a song produced by her friend John Rich, who also sings the background vocals. The song's suggestive video received a TV-14 S rating when aired on CMT.
Gretchen's "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today" was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and Best Country Song. In 2006, Wilson contributed a well-received cover of Kris Kristofferson's Sunday Mornin' Coming Down on the tribute CD The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson. In 2007, Wilson displayed her rock and roll vocals on the cable TV special VH1 Rock Honors, singing Heart's hit Barracuda, along with Alice in Chains and Heart member Nancy Wilson on guitars.,
On May 15, 2007, Gretchen released her third album, One of the Boys. The album debuted at #5 on the Top 200 and at #1 on the Country album chart. After 11 weeks, it exited the Billboard Top 200, having sold just 178,220 copies at that point. "Come To Bed" and "One Of The Boys", the first two singles released, both failed to enter the top 30 and missed the Hot 100 completely. The third single, "You Don't Have to Go Home", was even less successful, peaking at #53.
Blue Collar Done Turn Red
Gretchen Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you could still speak your mind
Back when Uncle Sam put a gun in your hand
And he laid it all on the line
Well my grandaddy never did have any trouble
With standin' up for what he believed
People today seem to be ashamed of the price
That we paid to be free
My flag's still flyin'
There ain't no denyin'
I'm American born and bred
Still proud and united
Bring hell and I fight it
This blue collar done turn red
We used to judge a man
By the shake of his hand
And his honor and his honesty
Never knocked him down when he stood his ground
'Cause it wouldn't beat the policy
Now there's mail out bills and fat cat deals and
The senate and the house are goin' on
We gotta' stick to our guns and remember the ones
Who made this country strong
'Cause my flag's still flyin'
There ain't no denyin'
I'm American born and bred
Still proud and united
Bring hell and I fight it
This blue collar done turn red
My flag's still flyin'
There ain't no denyin'
I'm American born and bred
Still proud and united
Bring hell and I fight it
This blue collar done turn red
And it ain't over
'Cause my flag's still flyin'
There ain't no denyin'
I'm American born and bred
Still proud and united
Bring hell and I fight it
This blue collar done turn red
This blue collar done turn red
This blue collar done turn red
The song "Blue Collar Done Turned Red" by Gretchen Wilson is a patriotic anthem that speaks to the idea of traditional American values being lost in modern times. The song begins with a nostalgic tone, as the singer reflects on a time when people could speak their minds and were not afraid to stand up for what they believed in. Specifically, the song references the sacrifices made by veterans like the singer's grandaddy, who fought for the country's freedom.
The following verses go on to speak about the erosion of values and morals that the singer believes is contributing to a decline in national pride. She points to the corrupt practices of politicians (such as "mail-out bills and fat cat deals") and laments the shift away from basic measures of character, like a firm handshake and personal honor. Throughout the song, the singer asserts her own pride in being an "American born and bred" and her commitment to fighting for what she believes in.
Overall, "Blue Collar Done Turned Red" is a tribute to the unsung heroes of America – the everyday working people who keep the country running and fight for their rights in a changing world. The song encourages listeners to remember the values that made America great and to be proud of their heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
I still think about the way it was
I reminisce about the past when people had more freedom of speech.
When you could still speak your mind
People used to be able to express their opinions without fear of consequence.
Back when Uncle Sam put a gun in your hand
In wartime, young men were drafted to join the military and defend the country.
And he laid it all on the line
Soldiers risked their lives for their country.
Well my grandaddy never did have any trouble
My grandad always stood up for his beliefs.
With standin' up for what he believed
He never backed down from his convictions.
People today seem to be ashamed of the price
Today's society appears embarrassed by the sacrifices that were made for our freedom.
That we paid to be free
The freedom we have now was paid for with blood and sacrifice.
My flag's still flyin'
I display the American flag with pride.
There ain't no denyin'
Absolutely no doubt about it.
I'm American born and bred
I was born and raised in the United States.
Still proud and united
I remain proud and loyal to my country.
Bring hell and I fight it
I am willing to fight for what I believe in.
This blue collar done turn red
Workers who used to be union members now support conservative politicians.
We used to judge a man
In the past, we evaluated people based on their character.
By the shake of his hand
A firm handshake was an indicator of sincerity and trustworthiness.
And his honor and his honesty
A person's morals and truthfulness were highly valued.
Never knocked him down when he stood his ground
We respected those who held their position, even if we didn't agree with them.
'Cause it wouldn't beat the policy
We believed it was more important to do what was right rather than what was politically advantageous.
Now there's mail out bills and fat cat deals
Politicians and corporations prioritize their own interests over the welfare of their constituents.
And the senate and the house are goin' on
The government seems more concerned with political power struggles than with serving the people.
We gotta' stick to our guns and remember the ones
We need to hold onto our beliefs and honor the sacrifices made by past generations.
Who made this country strong
Our country was built on the dedication and hard work of many people.
And it ain't over
The fight for freedom never truly ends.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DALLAS DAVIDSON, GRETCHEN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind