Truckstop Diaries
Jason Boland & The Stragglers Lyrics
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Wondering what them folks are saying
About me and what I′m doing here
Yeah they're looking like I′m gonna steal their stuff
Brother I tell you I got enough
Just a bag of clothes a tent and a case of beer
This one old boy looks like a roadie from Skynrd
He's got a rebel flag right there on his grill
And there's another one I swear looks just like Hank
Stopped in here to gas his tank
Buy a pack of smokes and pop a couple pills
Chorus
Who needs TV when you got a truck stop
Who needs movies when you′ve got the road
Who needs MasterCard hell you got a visa
And who needs to fix it if it ain′t broke
Yeah northbound Cadillac neon lights
Driven by a man you couldn't pay me to fight
I swear I′ve never seen a zombie until now
Lord he looks like he's been up for days
Swerving through the asphalt haze
And right now id be nervous if I was a cow
And this one old woman with a wagon full o kids
She looked like she just hit the skids
She left his ass this time she ain′t going back
Yeah she gonna drop the children off at mama's
She already got them in their pajamas
And a sugar daddy waiting in a Cadillac
Chorus
This one old boy stopped to use the phone
To tell his woman he′d soon be home
If the highway patrol would let him put the hammer down
And he asked if his hunting dogs were alright
And he just might make it home tonight
The CB says it's clear for four more towns
Well I been sitting here four or five hours
I blew a rod doing sixty miles an hour
Seems like Detroit ain't making them like they did
I′m glad there′s all this stuff to see
If it weren't for them it′d just be me
And I do believe I would've flipped my lid
Chorus
In Truckstop Diaries, Jason Boland & The Stragglers provide a glimpse into the life of a traveler who is passing through a truck stop. The lyrics depict a scene where the singer is sitting and observing the people around him. The singer seems self-aware and is wondering what people might say about him. He acknowledges the stereotypes that truck stop visitors may face, such as being assumed to be a thief. He humorously reveals that he only has a bag of clothes, a tent, and a case of beer.
The song then proceeds to paint vivid pictures of other travelers who stop at truck stops. There is a man who looks like a roadie from Lynyrd Skynyrd and has a rebel flag on his grill. Another traveler bears a striking resemblance to Hank Williams and is popping pills. The song also mentions a northbound Cadillac driven by a man who appears to be a zombie and a woman who is dropping her children off with her mother while she goes to see her sugar daddy waiting in a Cadillac.
The chorus repeats the central message of the song - that when you are on the road, you do not need much to be entertained. Truck stops can be an excellent source of entertainment, and the people who visit them are fascinating to observe, making it an excellent place to people-watch.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting here wishing and thinking and praying
Contemplating, reflecting, and hoping for something better
Wondering what them folks are saying
Questioning what others are talking about or gossiping
About me and what I'm doing here
Speculating about the actions and purposes of the singer
Yeah they're looking like I'm gonna steal their stuff
Assuming that because of his appearance, the artist may be a thief
Brother I tell you I got enough
Clarifying that the artist doesn't require or desire any additional possessions
Just a bag of clothes a tent and a case of beer
Listing the few items that the singer currently possesses
This one old boy looks like a roadie from Skynrd
Observing a man who resembles a crew member of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sucking down his chicken dinner
Eating his meal with great gusto
He's got a rebel flag right there on his grill
Noticing a Confederate flag displayed on the front of his vehicle
And there's another one I swear looks just like Hank
Identifying a person who closely resembles the late country singer Hank Williams
Stopped in here to gas his tank
Filling up his car with gasoline
Buy a pack of smokes and pop a couple pills
Purchasing cigarettes and medicine or drugs
Who needs TV when you got a truck stop
Suggesting that a rest stop can be as entertaining as watching television
Who needs movies when you've got the road
Implying that the journey is more exciting than any film
Who needs MasterCard hell you got a visa
Arguing that one credit card is sufficient for purchases
And who needs to fix it if it ain't broke
Asserting that there is no need to repair something that isn't damaged
Yeah northbound Cadillac neon lights
Observing a brightly lit Cadillac heading north
Driven by a man you couldn't pay me to fight
Commenting that it would be foolish to engage in a physical altercation with the driver
I swear I've never seen a zombie until now
Seeing a severely fatigued person who resembles the undead
Lord he looks like he's been up for days
Observing that the person appears to have not slept for an extended period of time
Swerving through the asphalt haze
Noticing that the driver is steering erratically due to exhaustion or intoxication
And right now I'd be nervous if I was a cow
Jokingly remarking that even livestock would be apprehensive in the current situation
And this one old woman with a wagon full o kids
Spotting an elderly woman escorting several children
She looked like she just hit the skids
Inferring that the woman's appearance suggests she is in difficult circumstances
She left his ass this time she ain't going back
Stating that the woman has left an abusive or unsatisfactory relationship and refuses to return
Yeah she gonna drop the children off at mama's
Explaining that the woman is taking the youngsters to their grandmother's home
She already got them in their pajamas
Noticing that the children are already prepared for bed
And a sugar daddy waiting in a Cadillac
Implying that the woman has a wealthy romantic partner who is driving a luxury car
This one old boy stopped to use the phone
Observing a man who has halted his vehicle to make a call
To tell his woman he'd soon be home
Noticing that the man is updating his partner on his travel status
If the highway patrol would let him put the hammer down
Stating that the driver is eager to increase his speed but may be prevented by law enforcement
And he asked if his hunting dogs were alright
Inquiring about the health and wellbeing of his canine companions
And he just might make it home tonight
Expressing optimism that the traveler will arrive at his destination soon
The CB says it's clear for four more towns
Referring to a radio transmission indicating that the highways ahead are free of obstacles
Well I been sitting here four or five hours
Admitting that the singer has been stationary for an extended period of time
I blew a rod doing sixty miles an hour
Confessing that the artist's vehicle broke down while driving at a high speed
Seems like Detroit ain't making them like they did
Recognizing that the singer's car was assembled in a city that no longer produces vehicles of the same quality
I'm glad there's all this stuff to see
Expressing gratitude for the diverse array of individuals and objects at the truck stop
If it weren't for them it'd just be me
Reflecting that without the distractions and variety of the area, the experience would be monotonous
And I do believe I would've flipped my lid
Asserting that the artist would have gone insane without additional stimulation
Writer(s): Jason Boland
Contributed by Eli B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.