Jason DeFord grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, in the southside community of Antioch.
Jelly Roll's 2010 collaboration "Pop Another Pill" with Memphis rapper Lil Wyte reached over 6.3 millions YouTube views. This song led to the album Year Round by the hip-hop group SNO, released on the Hypnotize Minds label in April 2011 and produced by DJ Paul and Juicy J. SNO's song "Come Here White Girl" was named among "The 10 Most Memorable White Rapper Collaborations" by XXL.
Jelly Roll released many mixtapes including the Gamblin' on a Whiteboy series and the Therapeutic Music series. His independently released debut solo studio album The Big Sal Story was released on October 26, 2012. He released two collaborative albums with Haystak, two collaborative albums with Lil Wyte, four collaborative albums with Struggle Jennings and one album under the group SNO with Lil Wyte and BPZ.
Jelly Roll's 2013 mixtape Whiskey, Weed, & Women was originally named Whiskey, Weed, & Waffle House, but was later changed after the restaurant threatened legal action over the use of their name and logo on the cover. The replacement cover featured a "cease and desist" stamp in place of the Waffle House logo.
Train Tracks
Jelly Roll Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We just white trash
We can't roll class
We got green grass
Across them train tracks
Across them train tracks
We try so hard
We do so bad
But we can't look pass
Them goddamn train tracks
I hate those train tracks
I remember rocking tall tees and baggy jeans
Remember staying up late and just bagging weed
And at a younger age, I was unafraid
Remember Mom and me kickin' it on the summer day
Sometime the world so cold, I wanna run away
I know this world gets cooler than the hunger games
Crashed on couches, and slept on floors
And I always had a crush on the girl next door
But to tell y'all the truth
I never tried to holla though
Hid my lack of self confidence, behind a lot of jokes
Thought I'd never make it, out my situation
I was bound by so many stipulations
Living low class
We just white trash
We can't roll class
We got green grass
Across them train tracks
Across them train tracks
We try so hard
We do so bad
We'd go so far
But we can't look pass
Them goddamn train tracks
I hate those train tracks
Life got hard
But we just came harder
Spent some time in the gutter by the rain water
A lost soul, I was born a ramble
Woke up one day, my life was in shambles
Ain't afraid to gamble, put it all on the line
This neighbourhood ain't shit, but I'm calling it mine
Rent man callin' trippin' on the rent
Got a baby on the way
With a chick that I ain't with
And my Momma needs some pain pills
She says she's feeling pain
I gotta hustle y'all
I don't know no other way
On these train tracks
Staring at the other side
I'll make it over then one day
That's on my mother's life
Living low class
We just white trash
We can't roll class
We got green grass
Across them train tracks
Across them train tracks
We try so hard
We do so bad
We'd go so far
But we can't look pass
Them goddamn train tracks
I hate those train tracks
Between a rock and a hard place
I'm bummed with a court case
The bills at the house, way past due
Ankle bracelet with a curfew
Water cut off
Daughter need to use the bathroom, what can I do?
Goddamn, the lawyer want ten racks
Whistle blowin', and I'm standing on them train tracks
How long in line? Just a matter of time
Before the chickens come home and the eggs hatch
Got them all in one basket underneath the bed
With a banger and a ski mask 'cause I'm ready
Grass look greener, over there
So I pull in his yard, I park the chevy
I'm here now!
So hard, so bad
So far, look past the train tracks
I hate those train tracks
So hard, so bad
So far, look past the train tracks
Ooh-ohh-ooh-oh-oh (train tracks)
Living low class
We just white trash
We can't roll class
We got green grass
Across them train tracks
Across them train tracks
We try so hard
We do so bad
We'd go so far
But we can't look pass
Them goddamn train tracks
I hate those train tracks
In Jelly Roll's song "Train Tracks," he talks about the struggles and hardships of growing up in a low-income and blue-collar environment. The lyrics are filled with stories about being white trash, struggling to make ends meet, and feeling trapped by the train tracks that divide the neighborhood. The song starts off by showing the frustration of not being able to move up in the world, despite working hard and having dreams of success. They know that there is more out there, but they feel stuck on their side of the train tracks.
The second verse talks about the artist's personal experience of growing up in this environment. He recalls memories of hanging out with friends, struggling to find love, and facing the reality of having few options in life. Despite these experiences, Jelly Roll still holds on to hope and optimism that he can make it beyond the train tracks. In the third verse, he talks about the harsh realities of being caught up in a criminal lifestyle as a way to support his family. He knows that he is risking everything, but he feels like he has no other choice.
Overall, "Train Tracks" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the struggle of growing up in poverty and trying to break free from the cycle of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Living low class
Growing up in poverty
We just white trash
Belonging to a lower socioeconomic class
We can't roll class
Unable to move up in economic status
We got green grass
Possessing an enviable lifestyle
Across them train tracks
Separated by socioeconomic status
We try so hard
Working hard to improve their situation
We do so bad
Despite hard work, struggling to succeed
We'd go so far
Having potential for success
But we can't look pass
Unable to overcome societal barriers
Them goddamn train tracks
Societal barriers that keep them from success
I hate those train tracks
Strong dislike for societal barriers
Remember rocking tall tees and baggy jeans
Nostalgia for simpler times
Remember staying up late and just bagging weed
Recreational drug use during youth
And at a younger age, I was unafraid
Lack of fear and worry during youth
Remember Mom and me kickin' it on the summer day
Fond memories with family
Sometime the world so cold, I wanna run away
Life can be harsh and overwhelming
I know this world gets cooler than the hunger games
Optimism that the world can improve
Crashed on couches, and slept on floors
Homelessness and unstable living situations
And I always had a crush on the girl next door
Fondness for someone nearby
But to tell y'all the truth
Admission of honesty
I never tried to holla though
Lack of confidence to pursue a romantic interest
Hid my lack of self confidence, behind a lot of jokes
Uses humor to cope with insecurities
Thought I'd never make it, out my situation
Lack of hope for a better future
I was bound by so many stipulations
Limited by societal constraints
Life got hard
Challenges and difficulties occurred
But we just came harder
Persevered and overcame challenges
Spent some time in the gutter by the rain water
Experienced extreme poverty and desperation
A lost soul, I was born a ramble
Feeling directionless and uncertain
Woke up one day, my life was in shambles
Unexpected crisis or setback occurred
Ain't afraid to gamble, put it all on the line
Willing to take risks to improve their situation
This neighbourhood ain't shit, but I'm calling it mine
Pride in their community despite its flaws
Rent man callin' trippin' on the rent
Dealing with financial stress and overdue bills
Got a baby on the way
Expecting a child
With a chick that I ain't with
Uncommitted relationship / single parenthood
And my Momma needs some pain pills
Caring for ill or dependent family member
She says she's feeling pain
Symptoms of a medical condition
I gotta hustle y'all
Working hard to make ends meet
I don't know no other way
Survival mindset due to limited resources and options
On these train tracks
Facing societal barriers
Staring at the other side
Looking towards a better future
I'll make it over then one day
Determined to overcome these barriers
That's on my mother's life
Deadly serious / absolutely committed
Between a rock and a hard place
Stuck between a difficult choice
I'm bummed with a court case
Legal troubles
The bills at the house, way past due
Financial struggles
Ankle bracelet with a curfew
Restrictions due to legal troubles
Water cut off
Lack of basic necessities
Daughter need to use the bathroom, what can I do?
Struggling to provide for family's basic needs
Goddamn, the lawyer want ten racks
Expensive legal fees
Whistle blowin', and I'm standing on them train tracks
Feeling pressure from all directions / societal barriers
How long in line? Just a matter of time
Uncertainty about when success will come
Before the chickens come home and the eggs hatch
Before consequences of past decisions come to fruition
Got them all in one basket underneath the bed
Risking everything they have
With a banger and a ski mask 'cause I'm ready
Carrying weapons for protection
Grass look greener, over there
Belief that success exists elsewhere
So I pull in his yard, I park the chevy
Taking action towards achieving success
So hard, so bad
Struggles and hardships faced
So far, look past the train tracks
Desire to overcome societal barriers
Ooh-ohh-ooh-oh-oh (train tracks)
Mention of dominant theme of song
Writer(s): Benedict Ihesiaba
Contributed by Charlie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@angeldust9241
Im black and I love jelly Roll because his songs hit it dead on the nail. Because so many of us are living in the struggles of life! White, Black, Yellow and Brown people! The struggle is showing no discrimination 😢
@tanessatoten8142
And struggle doesn't discriminate. 🙌
@--_-_-_-74..
I'm native , yes we all know that struggle! Stand tall and proud
@DotButchino
The struggle is real
@mariemurphy-oz9zy
Lendgendry
@Harley55826
Big facts
@pitt_prodigy134
I heard this song and it touched me. It was the reason I spoke with my wife about my upbringing. I grew up poor... daddy didn't come back from hunting with something we didnt eat poor. I hid all that from her... met her in college she never knew. I was the first person in my family to go to college and make it out that life. I grew up in grandma and grandpas trailrer's full of camel cig smoke. Thank you for giving me the strength to not be embarrassed of my upbringing. This song helped me not be be ashamed and hide that side of me... after all it made me who i am.
@alexandriaaymelek317
Can totally relate. I still try to hide some of my childhood.
@peterbiltlowryder
You pulled yourself out, idk you but it makes me proud of you, just don't be ashamed of it because it DID make you who you are and you're better for it. God bless you!
@courtneyrobbins4304
I grew up in a rough city area no one wanted to be from. I brought my kids out to the stick to get a better education and safer upbringing. I can't help but constantly remind them where their from. Where their parents are from. There's so many racist hicks out here, it hurts my soul. I'll never stop reminding my kids of the "across the train tracks" we grew up in! We were poor but we were diverse and a big ass family! ❤️