Overall, there have been 29 single releases throughout the years with 26 of them charting in the top 20 or better. Eight of those 26 have reached the coveted No.1 spot on the national country charts.
His first release, “Back Side of thirty” went nowhere fast. Three more singles also met with a minimum success, although they all charted. But in March of 1978, the label released “Rose Colored Glasses,” a song Conlee wrote, which became a huge hit as well as his signature song. In January of 1979, the label re-released “Back Side of Thirty” which went on to become a No. 1 record, and the hits continued to roll. The John Conlee hit list includes songs such as “Lady Lay Down,” “Before My Time,” “Friday Night Blues,” “Miss Emily’s Picture,” “Busted,” “I Don’t Remember Loving You,” “Common Man,” “I’m Only In It For The Love,” “In My Eyes,” “As Long As I’m Rocking With You,” “Years After You,” “Domestic Life,” “Mama’s Rockin Chair,” “Hit the Ground Runnin,” and “Fellow Travelers.” All of Conlee’s hits have that unmistakable common thread – that unique voice. Conlee has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1981.
Common Man
John Conlee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew I was feelin' out of place
At a table as large as a river barge
And "I love you" written all on your face
I appreciate your hospitality
But I wish that we would go
Let me drive us to McDonald's and I'll talk to you
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
If I have my say, it gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity
And a common man is what I'll be
I'll take a Chevrolet just any day
So give your Daddy back his Mercedes Benz
And there's some common people that I hang out with
They're my good time buddies, they're my friends
And I'd rather chug-a-lug a mug of Budweiser Beer
Than sip a crystal glass of wine
So won't you make your mind up to believe in me
And leave this high livin' world behind
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
If I have my say it's gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity
And a common man is what I'll be
Yes, I'm happy just being free
And I'm happy just being me
And I hope that you will see
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
If I have my say, it gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity
And a common man is what I'll be
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
And if I have my say, it gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity
In John Conlee's song "Common Man," the singer expresses a feeling of not belonging in the high society world of the person he is with. As he sits at a large table with "I love you" written all over the person's face, he feels out of place and wishes they could just go to McDonald's to talk about something important. He proclaims that he is just a common man who drives a common van and has a dog without a pedigree. He prefers the company of his good time buddies over high-browed people who can lose their sanity. He would rather chug-a-lug a mug of Budweiser beer than sip a crystal glass of wine. He wants the person to believe in him and leave the high living world behind.
The lyrics reflect a common man's desire to stay true to himself and his values in a world where high society often dictates what is deemed important and desirable. The singer values simplicity and authenticity over opulence and extravagance. He wants to be appreciated for who he is and not for any societal status he may have. The song also speaks to the idea that high society people can lose touch with reality and become disconnected from the common man's day-to-day struggles and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
As the maid poured wine and we prepared to dine
As we sat down for dinner and the maid poured us some wine
I knew I was feelin' out of place
I felt out of place, like I didn't belong there
At a table as large as a river barge
The table was so big it felt like a barge on a river
And 'I love you' written all on your face
You clearly cared about me and showed it on your face
I appreciate your hospitality
Thank you for your kind and generous hospitality
But I wish that we would go
However, I wish we would leave this place
Let me drive us to McDonald's and I'll talk to you
We could go to McDonald's, and I'll tell you something important
Concernin' somethin' you should really know
It is something you should really know about
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
I'm an ordinary person, with an ordinary van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
My dog isn't purebred, just like me
If I have my say, it gonna stay that way
I wouldn't change it, even if I could
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity
Rich people often lose their sanity
And a common man is what I'll be
It's better to be a normal person – that's what I choose to be
I'll take a Chevrolet just any day
I prefer a Chevy over a Mercedes
So give your Daddy back his Mercedes Benz
So, return the Mercedes Benz to your dad
And there's some common people that I hang out with
I spend time with ordinary folks like me
They're my good time buddies, they're my friends
They are my close friends
And I'd rather chug-a-lug a mug of Budweiser Beer
I prefer drinking Budweiser, even in a mug
Than sip a crystal glass of wine
I would rather drink beer than wine from a fancy glass
So won't you make your mind up to believe in me
Please trust and believe in me
And leave this high livin' world behind
Let's leave this high-class lifestyle behind us
Yes, I'm happy just being free
I'm content living my ordinary life
And I'm happy just being me
I'm happy being myself, a common person
And I hope that you will see
I hope you'll understand and support me
And if I have my say, it gonna stay that way
I won't change my ways, even if I could
Cause high-browed people lose their sanity
Wealthy people often lose their minds
And a common man is what I'll be
I'd rather be common, that's just who I am
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Sammy Johns
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Hugaert
Lyrics:
As the maid poured wine and we prepared to dine
I knew I was feeling out of place
At a table as large as a river barge, and 'I love you' written all on your face
I appreciate your hospitality, but I wish that we would go
So let me drive us to McDonald's and I'll talk to you, concerning something you should really know
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
If I have my say, gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity, and a common man is what I'll be
I'll take a Chevrolet just any day, so give your daddy back his Mercedes-Benz
And there's some common people that I hang out with
They're my good-time buddies, they're my friends
And I'd rather chug-a-lug a mug of Budweiser beer than sip a crystal glass of wine
So won't you make your mind up to believe in me, and leave this high-livin' world behind
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
If I have my say, gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity, and a common man is what I'll be
Yes, I'm happy just being free, and I'm happy just being me, and I hope that you will see...
...I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
If I have my say, gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity, and a common man is what I'll be
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
If I have my say, gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity, and a common man is what I'll be
I'm just a common man, drive a common van
My dog ain't got a pedigree
If I have my say, gonna stay that way
'Cause high-browed people lose their sanity, and a common man is what I'll be
(Fade out)
A gem of a hit from 1983...my junior year of high school!!!
Bravo, John Conlee!!!
Who thought that an ex-licensed embalmer could sing such great music?!
ChihuahuaboyDH
I wish I could go back to 1983, when music in general was much, much better. Some good country music tunes came out that year: "Paradise Tonight", "Baby I Lied" & "Islands in the Stream", just to name a few hits from that year. "Common Man" stands tall above them all! Bravo, John Conlee! Glad to hear you're still performing!
Monte Jones
And Holly Dunn,,,,only when I love ,,,,,and Sawyer brown ,,and an array of others ,music just isn't what it was when I was coming up
Klent Foster
I love how humble his lyrics and voice sound, this is music from the heart 🫡
Barry Campanizzi
Absolutely one of best performers in country music. Still going strong today
Steven Pearson
seen him in concert just 2 weeks ago. Sounds as good now as he did then.
Me and my dad loved it. Thank God my dad turned me on to Real country
music!!!!!
Jason Kraatz
His voice is very unique. He had some of the greatest hits that are hard to duplicate.
schme
Got to see him in concert loved it he's really down to earth
Wilmette Entwistle
He's a common man.
Cynthia Bustamante
I, hope to see him in concert. Loveeee his music!
Randall Free
This is one of the greatest songs of all time. When county music was country.Not like the music written today...