In September 2011, the song became the first for a male solo country artist to top the two million mark in digital sales. By March 2014, the song has sold over four million digital downloads, making it then the seventh best-selling country song in the US, and the best-selling song by male country solo artist in digital history.
"Dirt Road Anthem" is a mid-tempo country rap song. The song expresses country pride, southern values, and remembering good times from the past. Country rapper Colt Ford originally recorded the song for his 2008 album Ride Through the Country, with Brantley Gilbert singing vocals on the chorus. Gilbert later recorded a revisited version of the song for his 2010 album Halfway To Heaven. Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert released a revisited version of their original recording, featuring a third verse of rapping by Gilbert.
According to The Boot, Aldean's publicist teased about the song, suggesting Aldean listened to "a little Snoop Dogg in his time"; regarding the song, Aldean said he did not consider "Dirt Road Anthem" a rap song. He continued by saying, "...if I was to do anything like that, it's not going to be like Kanye West-style or anything."
Dirt Road Anthem
Jason Aldean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Laid back swervin' like I'm George Jones
Smoke rollin' out the window
An ice cold beer sittin' in the console
Memory lane up in the headlights
Has got me reminiscin' on them good times
I'm turning off of real life, drivin', that's right
I'm hittin' easy street on mud tires
Back in the day, Potts' farm was the place to go
Load the truck up, hit the dirt road
Jump the barbed wire, spread the word
Light the bonfire, then call the girls
King in the can and the Marlboro man
Jack and Jim were a few good men
Where you learn how to kiss and cuss and fight too
Better watch out for the boys in blue
And all this small town "he said, she said"
Ain't it funny how rumors spread?
Like, "I know something y'all don't know"
Man, that talk is gettin' old
You better mind your business, man, watch your mouth
Before I have to knock that loud mouth out
I'm tired of talking, man, y'all ain't listenin'
Them old dirt roads is what y'all missin'
Yeah, I'm chillin' on a dirt road
Laid back swervin' like I'm George Jones
Smoke rollin' out the window
An ice cold beer sittin' in the console
Memory lane up in the headlights
Has got me reminiscin' on them good times
I'm turning off of real life, drivin', that's right
I'm hittin' easy street on mud tires
I sit back and think about them good ol' days
The way we were raised and our southern ways
And we like cornbread and biscuits
And if it's broke 'round here, we fix it
I can take y'all where you need to go
Down to my hood, back in them woods
We do it different 'round here, that's right
But we sure do it good and we do it all night
So if you really wanna know how it feels
To get off the road with trucks and four wheels
Jump on in, and man, tell your friends
We'll raise some hell where the black top ends
I'm chillin' on a dirt road
Laid back swervin' like I'm George Jones
Smoke rollin' out the window
An ice cold beer sittin' in the console
Memory lane up in the headlights
Has got me reminiscin' on them good times
I'm turning off of real life, driving, that's right
I'm hittin' easy street on mud tires, that's right
Yeah, I'm chillin' on a dirt road
Laid back, swervin' like I'm George Jones
Smoke rollin' out the window
An ice cold beer sittin' in the console
Memory lane up in the headlights
Has got me reminiscin' on them good times
I'm turning off of real life, drivin', that's right
I'm hittin' easy street on mud tires, that's right
The lyrics to Jason Aldean's song "Dirt Road Anthem" are an ode to the simple life and small-town culture of growing up in rural America. The first verse sets the scene, painting a picture of driving down a dirt road with windows down, a cold beer in hand, and nostalgia flooding the mind. The chorus emphasizes this feeling of escaping the complexities of city life and returning to a simpler time, "turning off of real life, driving, that's right, hitting easy street on mud tires."
The second verse turns to memories of days on the farm, including classic coming-of-age experiences like kissing, fighting, and running from the police. Aldean acknowledges the constant gossip and rumors in small towns but ultimately emphasizes that there is something special about the close-knit community and sense of belonging. The bridge expresses pride in southern culture and a way of life centered on hard work, family values, and perseverance: "And we like cornbread and biscuits, and if it's broke 'round here, we fix it."
Overall, "Dirt Road Anthem" celebrates the gritty authenticity and laid-back simplicity of rural American life, while also acknowledging the challenges and secrets that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I'm chillin' on a dirt road
I'm relaxing on a rural road
Laid back swervin' like I'm George Jones
I'm driving leisurely and smooth like George Jones
Smoke rollin' out the window
Smoke is pouring out the window of my vehicle
An ice cold beer sittin' in the console
I have a cold beer sitting in the center console of my car
Memory lane up in the headlights
I'm being reminded of good memories as I drive
Has got me reminiscin' on them good times
My memories are making me remember good times
I'm turning off of real life, drivin', that's right
I'm escaping from reality by driving
I'm hittin' easy street on mud tires
I'm cruising effortlessly down the dirt road on my mud tires
Back in the day, Potts' farm was the place to go
In the past, people would go to Potts' farm to have fun
Load the truck up, hit the dirt road
Load up the pickup truck and drive on the dirt road
Jump the barbed wire, spread the word
Cross over the barbed wire fence and tell other people
Light the bonfire, then call the girls
Start a fire and invite the girls over
King in the can and the Marlboro man
Drink beer and smoke Marlboro cigarettes
Jack and Jim were a few good men
Drink Jack Daniels and Jim Beam whiskey
Where you learn how to kiss and cuss and fight too
Learned how to kiss, curse and fight at Potts' farm
Better watch out for the boys in blue
Be careful of the police in that area
And all this small town "he said, she said"
All the gossip that goes on in a small town
Ain't it funny how rumors spread?
Rumors have a way of spreading in a funny way
Like, "I know something y'all don't know"
Like when you hear someone say "I know something that you don't know"
Man, that talk is gettin' old
The gossip is becoming tiresome and stale
You better mind your business, man, watch your mouth
Mind your own business and be careful what you say
Before I have to knock that loud mouth out
I might have to punch someone in the face if they keep talking too much
I'm tired of talkin', man, y'all ain't listenin'
I'm frustrated because nobody is actually listening to me
Them old dirt roads is what y'all missin'
You are missing out on the experience of driving on old dirt roads
I sit back and think about them good ol' days
I relax and remember the good old days
The way we were raised and our southern ways
Thinking about how we were raised with southern traditions
And we like cornbread and biscuits
We enjoy eating cornbread and biscuits
And if it's broke 'round here, we fix it
If something is broken, we fix it ourselves
I can take y'all where you need to go
I can show you around town or take you somewhere
Down to my hood, back in them woods
To my hometown and the surrounding forest
We do it different 'round here, that's right
We have a unique way of doing things around here
But we sure do it good and we do it all night
We do it well and all night long
So if you really wanna know how it feels
If you want to experience what it's like
To get off the road with trucks and four wheels
To leave the main road and drive on dirt roads
Jump on in, and man, tell your friends
Join me and bring your friends along
We'll raise some hell where the black top ends
We'll cause mischief where the pavement ends
I'm chillin' on a dirt road
I'm relaxing on a rural road
Laid back swervin' like I'm George Jones
I'm driving leisurely and smooth like George Jones
Smoke rollin' out the window
Smoke is pouring out the window of my vehicle
An ice cold beer sittin' in the console
I have a cold beer sitting in the center console of my car
Memory lane up in the headlights
I'm being reminded of good memories as I drive
Has got me reminiscin' on them good times
My memories are making me remember good times
I'm turning off of real life, drivin', that's right
I'm escaping from reality by driving
I'm hittin' easy street on mud tires, that's right
I'm cruising effortlessly down the dirt road on my mud tires
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brantley Keith Gilbert, Colt Ford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@countrysongscollection25
To anybody reading this, I pray that whatever is hurting you or whatever you are constantly stressing about gets better. May the dark thoughts, the overthinking, and the doubt exit your mind may clarity replace confusion.
@christiancoveny6564
Yes sir...
@donnablair6208
Thnx :)
@andriaromine6608
❤❤❤
@scottc3165
That's why God sent the Holy Spirit brother. We got a little while yet.
@jayjohnson9772
Needed that broski! God bless you
@jocelynstuff1947
This is the last song that my son and I was listening to in the car before he passed away in November 2019. I will cherish this memory forever. I like to think that my sweet handsome son is in heaven chillin on a dirt road swerving like George Jones smoke rolling out the window, cold beer sitting in the console
R.I.P Matt momma loves you and misses you everyday 😢
@dev69420
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll drink a coors in his memory! Cheers bro
@delejah8382
🙏🏽❤️
@kayanahburrows4958
RIP 😢❤️