In 2012, she signed with Mercury Records and released her solo debut single Merry Go 'Round. The song is included on her album "Same Trailer Different Park", which was produced and co-written by Shane McAnally and Luke Laird and released on March 19, 2013.
After being nominated for Best New Artist, Best Country Album, and Best Country Song at the 2014 Grammy Awards, the album won the Academy of Country Music award for album of the year. In June, she released the single The Trailer Song.
To date, that talent has produced cuts for multi-platinum artists such as Martina McBride and Miranda Lambert. Miranda’s current album includes Kacey’s co-written track “Mama’s Broken Heart” which Rolling Stone Magazine ranked #26 in their “50 Best Singles of 2011” list.
Musical influences range from Loretta Lynn and John Prine to bands like Cake and The Beach Boys. Kacey was honored to open for Willie Nelson last year and recently wrapped opening for Lady Antebellum in Europe and Alison Krauss in the US.
Visit www.kaceymusgraves.com for more information and upcoming tour dates.
Good Ol' Boys Club
Kacey Musgraves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The hard work I put in and the dues I paid
Never been to good at just goin' along
I guess I've always kind of been for the underdog
Favors for friends will get you in and get you far
Shouldn't be about who it is you know
But about how good you are
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
There's a million ways to dream and that's just fine
Oh but I ain't losin' any sleep at night
And if I end up goin' down in flames
Well at least I know I did it my own way, hey
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Favors for friends will get you in and get you far
But when did it become about who you know
And not about how good you are?
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
I don't wanna be a part of your good ol' boys club
In Kacey Musgraves's song Good Ol' Boys Club, the singer confronts the issue of gender inequality in the music industry, particularly in country music. She points out the unfairness of the traditional 'good ol' boys club' that decides who gets ahead and who doesn't, regardless of their talent, hard work, or dedication. Musgraves insists that she doesn't need a membership in the club to validate her worth as an artist, and that she refuses to go along with something that goes against her values. She believes that favors for friends will get you in and far, but it's not about who you know, but how good you are at what you do.
The chorus of the song repeats the sentiment that Musgraves doesn't want to be a part of the club, with its cigars and handshakes, and being another gear in a big machine that doesn't sound like fun to her. She points out that there are a million ways to dream, and while she may end up going down in flames, at least she knows that she did it her own way. The song ends with a repeat of the chorus and the repeated phrase, "I don't wanna be a part of your good ol' boys club."
Overall, the lyrics of Good Ol' Boys Club are a direct challenge to the traditional structures that have held back women in the music industry and beyond, and an assertion of Musgraves's determination to succeed on her own terms. She is not willing to sacrifice her integrity or authenticity in exchange for the trappings of success, and she calls out the practice of using connections and friendships to get ahead, rather than talent and hard work.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't need a membership to validate
I don't require a formal recognition or approval to prove that my hard work and commitment are worthy.
The hard work I put in and the dues I paid
The effort and sacrifices I made to achieve my goals are priceless and need no validation.
Never been to good at just goin' along
I have always found it difficult to conform to the norms and expectations of the majority.
I guess I've always kind of been for the underdog
I have always empathized with and supported those who are marginalized, disadvantaged or discriminated against.
Favors for friends will get you in and get you far
Having influential friends or acquaintances can help you gain access to opportunities and advance your position.
Shouldn't be about who it is you know
Success and recognition should not depend on your social status or connections.
But about how good you are
Your abilities, skills, and achievements should be the determining factors of your worth and value.
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
I do not aspire to join or conform to the traditional network of predominantly male and white elites.
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
I do not find pleasure or satisfaction in the superficial and exclusive rituals of the established power structures.
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
I do not wish to be just another interchangeable component of a hierarchical and bureaucratic system that lacks creativity, diversity, and freedom.
There's a million ways to dream and that's just fine
There are countless paths and possibilities to pursue your aspirations and vision, and that is perfectly acceptable.
Oh but I ain't losin' any sleep at night
I am not overly concerned or anxious about the consequences or opinions of those who do not share my values or vision.
And if I end up goin' down in flames
Even if I fail spectacularly or face severe consequences for my choices and actions, I do not regret being true to myself and following my own path.
Well at least I know I did it my own way, hey
I can take pride and comfort in knowing that I lived my life according to my own principles, values, and goals.
I don't wanna be a part of your good ol' boys club
I adamantly refuse to participate or conform to the elitist and exclusionary norms and practices of a privileged and closed group.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CYPMP
Written by: KACEY MUSGRAVES, NATALIE HEMBY, LUKE LAIRD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joeabidinhogg8446
I don't need a membership to validate
The hard work I put in and the dues I paid
Never been to good at just goin' along
I guess I've always kind of been for the underdog
Favors for friends will get you in and get you far
Shouldn't be about who it is you know
But about how good you are
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
There's a million ways to dream and that's just fine
Oh but I ain't losin' any sleep at night
And if I end up goin' down in flames
Well at least I know I did it my own way, hey
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Favors for friends will get you in and get you far
But when did it become about who you know
And not about how good you are?
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
I don't wanna be a part of your good ol' boys club
@joeabidinhogg8446
I don't need a membership to validate
The hard work I put in and the dues I paid
Never been to good at just goin' along
I guess I've always kind of been for the underdog
Favors for friends will get you in and get you far
Shouldn't be about who it is you know
But about how good you are
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
There's a million ways to dream and that's just fine
Oh but I ain't losin' any sleep at night
And if I end up goin' down in flames
Well at least I know I did it my own way, hey
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Favors for friends will get you in and get you far
But when did it become about who you know
And not about how good you are?
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
Cigars and handshakes, appreciate you but no thanks
Another gear in a big machine don't sound like fun to me
Don't wanna be a part of the good ol' boys club
I don't wanna be a part of your good ol' boys club
@rosej5029
She is a country singer of the 21st century but her voice is so "Old School Country" makes me think of Loretta Lynn and classic country singers from back in the day. Her songs tell a story of the human experience.
@cekussow
I am a female engineer and I listen to this song every time one of my coworkers is being entitled. Thank you!
@RyoOhki15
+Cassandra Kussow ME Too!
@summerinspringville-hill
Cassandra Kussow You go girl. Keep working hard and staying strong. I admire you.
@ernestkostrhoun3180
I'm male alcoholic and i love it too. Gender or education doesn't mean shit, if you have great song like this on the table.
@jenb2789
Same.
@christinasims3524
Pageant Material deserves all the praise, I love it
@upscaleavenue
The message in this song really speaks to the reality of the college admissions scam that happened recently. Now, I can't listen to it without thinking of it.
"Shouldn't be about who it is you know but about how good you are."
@maudernart5246
As a female that does stand-up comedy I feel this hardcore