J.K. grew up surrounded by music & musicians. His cousin, Buddy Starcher was a professional recording artist on Columbia Records and was a regular performer on the then popular Midwestern & Louisiana Hayrides. He also introduced the late Keith Whitley who first appeared on Buddys weekly radio show in Charleston, West Virginia when he was 8 years old. J. K. made his own first appearance on radio at age 12 and first TV appearance at age 14.
His Uncle & Grandpa performed together at churches throughout the South. That's where J. K. made his first appearance singing in church at the ripe old age of 11. His first professional job was at age 14 when he began singing with The Pleasant Hill Quartet. A well-known gospel group at the time.
Of course in his teens he had to try his hand in high school dance bands like Fire n' Ice and The Four Aces but by age 20 he had returned to his first love country music. At that time J. K. helped form a 7 piece country rock group called 'The Southern Express'. They garnered a great deal of regional success and opened for many popular groups at that time such as Pure Prairie League, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco & The Marshall Tucker Band.
In 1983 he left The Southern Express to pursue a solo career as his heart was with more traditional country music. He appeared to be taking the music business by storm as he was often the featured artist on Ernest Tubbs Midnite Jamboree and many popular Nashville nightclubs and was dubbed The Star of Tomorrow by Country Music News.
He first cracked the country music charts in 1987 with a self-penned song, West Virginia You're Still My Home on the Studio 7 label. Since then he had enjoyed a number of chart successes including being shown in the Top 40 in Europe for 41 straight weeks. He also has made many appearances on radio & TV including The Nashville Showcase, The Midnight Jamboree, Nashville On Stage, The Jerry Lewis Telethon & Stars of Tomorrow Show. J. K. has toured worldwide and worked with some of the greatest names in country music including Jerry Reed, Loretta Lynn, The Bellamy Brothers, Conway Twitty, Buck Owens, George Jones, Tammy Wynette & Jerry Lee Lewis to name just a few.
In addition to still recording and performing on his own J. K. is now helping the new up & coming young artists serving as the President of Colt Records Nashville, Chairman of The Traditional Country Opry and hosting The Country Star Showcases. He was recently awarded The Texas CMA Entertainer and Best Country Album of The Year awards.
J. K. Coltrain is a member of:
Traditional Country Hall of Fame
Country Music Association
Academy of Country Music
Country Legends Association
Americana Music Association
Roots
J.K. Coltrain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if somehow you knew that your love would be as real as you lied for me
If you had my love and I gave you all my trust, would you come for me
And if somehow you knew that your love would be as real as you lied for me
I saw a UFO crash in Vegas, wonder if there was another life where they hate us
We're just as good at loving as we are at hating, that's the world we're waging, men in desperation
Everybody's paranoid bout a nuke nation, then along comes Joe and drops our expectations
Look at the new normal, I know times change but this feels like a portal
In my final hour I'll probably reminisce, the deals I closed and the girlies I kissed
But I saw a UFO in Vegas and they found out what my name is
Told me to blow my brains out and blame it on my craziness, what's it really mean to exist
When I die, where does all the money go? Is it worth every heart I broke
All the games I played, all the times I strayed, away from my faith, it'll come back around one day
Money is the root of evil, some say, I'm sure I'll agree, someday, just not today
God, I hope that's okay
Living in the future, controlled by technology, governments watching, calling us property
It's a rigged democracy, congress is profiting, you think they care about you? Yeah, obviously
Spreading lies about the media's ideology, stuck paying rent for somebody else's property
I had a girl look at me like I'm crazy for monogamy, see the whole economy is a monopoly
In the future we'll look back on what we used to now, wondering how we're doing the earth harm
Ceasing unborn hearts, censoring the arts, fighting their wars that become ours
They keep you trapped with these bills you can't pay, you only continue hoping things will change
How many have to die before we find another way? Every day another shooting in America's mass grave
When I die, where does all the money go? Is it worth every heart I broke
All the games I played, all the times I strayed, away from my faith, it'll come back around one day
Money is the root of evil, some say, I'm sure I'll agree, someday, just not today
God, I hope that's okay
Can't understand the world we live in, when did gender become a decision
Can't swipe right without checking pronouns in the description, I stole a man's pension
He worked in the prison system since Nixon, definition of blue collar, he's retiring his position
When they called for change, he didn't sign the petition, he said why bother
Spends every day with the woman he loves, has five kids and they gave him a grandson
They live a few miles away, he sees them a ton, my life's a joke, it hit me all at once
Most of us broke, live in hoax, hypnosis, misdiagnosed, you might be rich, inside we're all broke
What's it mean to exist? What's it really mean to be broke
When I die, where does all the money go? Is it worth every heart I broke
All the games I played, all the times I strayed, away from my faith, it'll come back around one day
Money is the root of evil, some say, I'm sure I'll agree, someday, just not today
God, I hope that's okay
The lyrics of J.K. Coltrain's song "Roots" touch upon several themes and issues present in today's society. The song explores concepts of love, trust, societal challenges, personal reflections, and the meaning of existence.
The first verse contemplates the nature of love and trust. It questions whether someone would truly stand by another's side if they had their love and trust. It further examines the complexity of relationships, highlighting the contradiction of love being as real as the lies we sometimes tell.
The second verse delves into societal issues, using the metaphor of a UFO crash in Las Vegas. This symbolizes an event that disrupts the norm and exposes another life where people may harbor hate towards humanity. The lyrics acknowledge the duality of humans' capacity for love and hate, reflecting the ongoing struggle in the world. The talks about paranoia surrounding nuclear weapons and how some individuals, like Joe, may unexpectedly challenge societal expectations.
The third verse delves into the influence of money and power. It questions the significance of monetary wealth and its consequences on relationships. The lyrics imply that money can tempt people to break hearts and play games, leading to a sense of regret. The idea that money is the root of evil is mentioned, reflecting on the corrupting influence it can have on individuals and society. However, the singer also acknowledges the complexity of this belief, suggesting that someday they may agree with it.
The final verse explores topics of technology, government control, societal norms, and personal reflections. It questions the state of the world, emphasizing the changing times and the negative consequences of human actions. The lyrics touch upon gender identity as a modern-day decision and the confusion surrounding it. It also discusses the struggles of average individuals like a retiring prison worker who questions the significance of societal change. The verse ends by highlighting the disparity between material wealth and internal brokenness, prompting reflection on the true meaning of existence and the influence of money on it.
Overall, "Roots" by J.K. Coltrain is a thought-provoking song that tackles various societal issues and personal reflections. It invites listeners to question the nature of love, trust, money, societal norms, and the meaning of existence in the context of the world we live in today.
Line by Line Meaning
If you had my love and I gave you all my trust, would you come for me
If you possessed my affection and I bestowed upon you complete faith, would you stand by my side?
And if somehow you knew that your love would be as real as you lied for me
And if, by some means, you were aware that your love would match the authenticity of the falsehoods you told for my sake
I saw a UFO crash in Vegas, wonder if there was another life where they hate us
I witnessed an unidentified flying object collapsing in Las Vegas, contemplating the possibility of an existence where they despise our kind
We're just as good at loving as we are at hating, that's the world we're waging, men in desperation
Our capacity for both affection and animosity is equal; this is the reality we perpetuate, driven by desperate individuals
Everybody's paranoid bout a nuke nation, then along comes Joe and drops our expectations
Everyone is consumed by paranoia regarding a nuclear-powered nation, then Joe arrives and disappoints our hopes
Look at the new normal, I know times change but this feels like a portal
Observe the current state of affairs, acknowledging the inevitability of change but sensing a passage to an unfamiliar reality
Gotta make the best, put the stress to rest, invest in yourself, don't let them tell you no
We must strive for excellence, alleviate unnecessary worries, prioritize self-growth, and refuse to be restrained by others' limitations
In my final hour I'll probably reminisce, the deals I closed and the girlies I kissed
During my last moments, I will likely reflect upon the successful transactions I completed and the romantic encounters I experienced
But I saw a UFO in Vegas and they found out what my name is
However, I witnessed a unidentified flying object in Las Vegas, and they discovered my identity
Told me to blow my brains out and blame it on my craziness, what's it really mean to exist
They instructed me to commit suicide and attribute it to my mental instability, prompting me to contemplate the true essence of existence
When I die, where does all the money go? Is it worth every heart I broke
Upon my demise, what becomes of the wealth I have acquired? Is it worth the pain I caused in relationships?
All the games I played, all the times I strayed, away from my faith, it'll come back around one day
Reflecting on the manipulative actions I engaged in and the moments of unfaithfulness, veering away from my beliefs, recognizing that consequences will ultimately catch up to me
Money is the root of evil, some say, I'm sure I'll agree, someday, just not today
Some argue that money is the source of wickedness, and though I am inclined to concur, that realization may take time to fully embrace
God, I hope that's okay
Oh God, I hope my sentiment is acceptable
Living in the future, controlled by technology, governments watching, calling us property
Existing in an era dominated by technology, under constant surveillance by governments, reducing us to mere possessions
It's a rigged democracy, congress is profiting, you think they care about you? Yeah, obviously
Our democracy is manipulated, with lawmakers capitalizing on their positions, making it evident that they prioritize their own interests over the wellbeing of the citizens
Spreading lies about the media's ideology, stuck paying rent for somebody else's property
Disseminating falsehoods regarding the media's principles, while being compelled to endure the financial burden of occupying someone else's premises
I had a girl look at me like I'm crazy for monogamy, see the whole economy is a monopoly
A woman regarded me with disbelief for valuing monogamous relationships, recognizing that the entire economic system is controlled by a few dominant entities
In the future we'll look back on what we used to now, wondering how we're doing the earth harm
As time progresses, we will reflect upon our present actions, questioning the detrimental effects they have on the planet
Ceasing unborn hearts, censoring the arts, fighting their wars that become ours
Ceasing the beating of potential hearts, suppressing artistic expression, and engaging in conflicts that cease to be solely theirs but also burden us
They keep you trapped with these bills you can't pay, you only continue hoping things will change
They ensnare you with unaffordable bills, and yet you persist in hoping for a transformative future
How many have to die before we find another way? Every day another shooting in America's mass grave
How many lives must be lost before we discover an alternative path? Each day, another instance of gun violence contributes to America's metaphorical mass burial ground
Can't understand the world we live in, when did gender become a decision
Unable to comprehend the society we inhabit, when did the determination of gender become a choice?
Can't swipe right without checking pronouns in the description, I stole a man's pension
Can't simply accept a connection on a dating app without verifying the individual's preferred gender pronouns, and to my remorse, I unlawfully appropriated a man's retirement fund
He worked in the prison system since Nixon, definition of blue collar, he's retiring his position
He dedicated his career to the penitentiary system since the Nixon administration, representing the epitome of a working-class individual, and now, he is concluding his tenure
When they called for change, he didn't sign the petition, he said why bother
When movements for transformation arose, he opted not to endorse the petition, expressing apathy as he questioned the usefulness of such actions
Spends every day with the woman he loves, has five kids and they gave him a grandson
He spends each day with the woman he adores, has raised five children, and they have bestowed upon him a grandson
They live a few miles away, he sees them a ton, my life's a joke, it hit me all at once
His loved ones reside just a short distance away, enabling frequent visits, and in that realization, the insignificance of my own existence struck me abruptly
Most of us broke, live in hoax, hypnosis, misdiagnosed, you might be rich, inside we're all broke
The majority of us are financially destitute, living amidst deception, under the influence of manipulation, and often wrongly diagnosed. Even if one is wealthy, internally we all experience a sense of brokenness
What's it mean to exist? What's it really mean to be broke
What is the true significance of existence? What is the genuine implication of financial destitution?
Can't understand the world we live in, when did gender become a decision
Unable to comprehend the society we inhabit, when did the determination of gender become a choice?
When I die, where does all the money go? Is it worth every heart I broke
Upon my demise, what becomes of the wealth I have acquired? Is it worth the pain I caused in relationships?
All the games I played, all the times I strayed, away from my faith, it'll come back around one day
Reflecting on the manipulative actions I engaged in and the moments of unfaithfulness, veering away from my beliefs, recognizing that consequences will ultimately catch up to me
Money is the root of evil, some say, I'm sure I'll agree, someday, just not today
Some argue that money is the source of wickedness, and though I am inclined to concur, that realization may take time to fully embrace
God, I hope that's okay
Oh God, I hope my sentiment is acceptable
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jack Kaufman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind