Nutbush City Limits
Ike & Tina Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A school house, outhouse
On highway number nineteen
The people keep the city clean
They call it Nutbush, oh Nutbush
They call it Nutbush city limits
Twenty-five was the speed limit
You go t'the store on Fridays
You go to church on Sundays
They call it Nutbush, been a long time, oh Nutbush
They call it Nutbush city limits
You go to the fields on week days
And have a picnic on Labor Day
You go to town on Saturday
But go to church every Sunday
They call it Nutbush, oh Nutbush
They call it Nutbush city limits
No whiskey for sale
You get caught, no bail
Salt pork and molasses
Is all you get in jail
They call it Nutbush, oh Nutbush
Yeah they call it Nutbush city
Nutbush city limits
A little old town in Tennessee, it's called
Quiet little old community, a one-horse town
You have to watch what you're puttin' down
In old Nutbush, they call it Nutbush
The song “Nutbush City Limits” by Ike & Tina Turner is a blues rock song released in 1973. The song is about Nutbush, Tennessee, which is Tina Turner's hometown. The lyrics talk about the different establishments found in Nutbush, which include a church house, gin house, school house, and outhouse. The city is located on highway 19, and its residents keep the city clean. Nutbush is a quiet community, and the people follow a strict code of conduct.
The song also talks about the different activities people engage in during the week. On Fridays, people go to the store, and on Sundays, they go to church. Weekdays are meant for field work, while Saturdays are town days. The song emphasizes the strict laws in Nutbush - the speed limit is 25, and motorcycles are not allowed. Drinking whiskey is illegal, and salt pork and molasses are the only things one can get in jail. The line, “You have to watch what you're putting down in old Nutbush,” emphasizes the conservative and strict nature of the town.
The song has since become a classic and is regularly played on classic rock stations. Nutbush City limits is one of Tina Turner's signature songs, and she has performed it numerous times throughout her career. The song's hard-driving beat, coupled with Ike’s signature guitar riffs, makes it an energetic and danceable tune.
Line by Line Meaning
A church house, gin house
There are places of worship and alcohol in Nutbush
A school house, outhouse
There are educational institutions and outdoor lavatories in Nutbush
On highway number nineteen
Nutbush is located on Highway 19
The people keep the city clean
The citizens take care of the cleanliness in Nutbush
They call it Nutbush, oh Nutbush
Nutbush is commonly known as Nutbush
They call it Nutbush city limits
Nutbush has a defined boundary
Twenty-five was the speed limit
The maximum speed allowed in Nutbush is 25 miles per hour
Motorcycle not allowed in it
It is prohibited to ride motorcycles in Nutbush
You go t'the store on Fridays
Fridays are the day to go shopping in Nutbush
You go to church on Sundays
Sundays are reserved for attending church in Nutbush
They call it Nutbush, been a long time, oh Nutbush
Nutbush has been called Nutbush for a long time now
You go to the fields on week days
On weekdays, people in Nutbush work in the fields
And have a picnic on Labor Day
Nutbush residents celebrate Labor Day with a picnic
You go to town on Saturday
On Saturdays, it's common to visit the town in Nutbush
But go to church every Sunday
Despite visiting town on Saturdays, Sundays are still reserved for church in Nutbush
No whiskey for sale
Alcoholic drinks such as whiskey are not sold in Nutbush
You get caught, no bail
If caught breaking the law in Nutbush, there is no provision for bail
Salt pork and molasses
In Nutbush, the food provided in jail is primarily salt pork and molasses
Is all you get in jail
In Nutbush, there are limited options for food in jail
Yeah they call it Nutbush city
Nutbush is considered a city
Nutbush city limits
Nutbush has a defined boundary
A little old town in Tennessee, it's called
Nutbush is a small town in Tennessee
Quiet little old community, a one-horse town
Nutbush is a peaceful and small community
You have to watch what you're puttin' down
Nutbush residents have to be mindful of their actions and words
In old Nutbush, they call it Nutbush
Nutbush has been called Nutbush for a long time
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tina Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kathleengordon5623
Whos listening and rockin in 2024? ❤
@TJB2024
Never stop listening to greatness ❤
@christopherolsen1123
Rest in peace Tina Turner. Strong, smart, independent, and damn sexy. What an incredible human being. Setting a great example of getting away from an abusive relationship and having the courage to go out on her own.
We have lost an icon and Heaven has gained an Angel.
@mrsfox31
👏👏🖤
@Takvselijak
😥
@babsduk5182
This comment made me shed a tear, for real.
@kimyoung1720
My favorite Tina ❤
@williamrae9954
As a huge Jimmy Barnes fan from his home city, Glasgow, I feel like I owe her an apology on his behalf for letting her down...the World missed an amazing duet through his alcoholism... RIP Goddess of music!
@steelcurtainsteeler2249
Are y'all watching this? nothing needs to be said here, Tina simply was the center of attention and the straw that stirred the milk and Ike knew it.. Tina's voice and those dance moves are electrifying, mesmerizing and spell-binding, I cannot get enough of watching this video.. what a gift and treasure God gave us in Tina Turner, RIP Tina... Well Done!
@beammeupscotty6516
Right Ike knew it the didn’t even want to work with him they all wanted to record with Tina. Who could not love a woman as amazing as this 😢