Fowler put together a country band in 1998 and began playing Tuesday nights at Babe's on Sixth Street in Austin. Within two years, he'd begun recording albums and struck big with his self-released Beer, Bait and Ammo (2000). The album sold around 30,000 copies in the Texas area and garnered an impressive amount of airplay, particularly for the album's title track. The song became somewhat of a Texas anthem; Mark Chesnutt made the song part of his live show, and Sammy Kershaw recorded it. Fowler returned in 2002 with his third album, High on the Hog, and boasted some impressive guests, including Willie Nelson and David Lee Garza.
100% Texan
Kevin Fowler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a hot summer night
Love to hear those hound dogs a-barkin'
Howlin' at the full moon light
Love to see those fireflies a buzzin'
Lighting up the southern sky
Yeah I'm a hell bent 100% Texan til I die
More than a time or two
And if you see me a-leavin'
You best be believing
I'll be back before the week is through
If I stay gone too long no tellin' what I'll do
I might a-highjack a plane
I might jump a freight train
To get back home it's true
[Chorus]
Well now I don't mind going to Oklahoma
Ain't never met an Okie that I didn't like
I don't mind New York city
Those Yankees talk funny but they're alright
I don't mind going to wessiana
Their red hot Cajun cooking suits me fine
If I had my way
I'd be home today
On my front porch drinking moonshine
[Chorus x3]
Yeah now I'm a hell bent 100% Texan til I die
The song "100% Texan" by Kevin Fowler is a tribute to the state of Texas and its unique culture. The opening verse sets the tone for the entire song, expressing the singer's love for the sound of rain on a tin roof, the barking of hound dogs, and the sight of fireflies lighting up the southern sky. All these seem to be natural characteristics of Texas that can capture anyone's heart. The chorus emphasizes the singer's unbreakable connection to Texas, declaring his allegiance to the state until the day he dies. The second verse talks about the singer's travels beyond Texas, and how he longs to return. He even jokes about high-jacking a plane or jumping a freight train if necessary to get back home. The song also acknowledges that the singer doesn't mind visiting other states and regions, but his heart remains in Texas, and he would rather be at home, drinking moonshine on his front porch.
The song highlights not only the distinctive qualities of Texas culture, but also its residents' attachment to their state. Notably, the song is not just about being from Texas, but about the experience of being Texan. It acknowledges the concept of state pride and loyalty, something that Texans are known for, and how they are not shy about expressing it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I love the sound of a rain on a tin roof
I admire the sound of water droplets crashing onto the tin surface of the roof whenever it rains.
On a hot summer night
I especially fancy this sound during summer nights that can get pretty hot.
Love to hear those hound dogs a-barkin'
I enjoy listening to the loud barks of hound dogs.
Howlin' at the full moon light
This love for hound dog barks extends to the point of finding their howls beautiful when they do it under the light of a full moon.
Love to see those fireflies a buzzin'
I get excited whenever I see fireflies buzzing around.
Lighting up the southern sky
I find their illumination fascinating, specifically how they light up the southern skies.
Yeah I'm a hell bent 100% Texan til I die
My Texan heritage runs deep and I will always be a purebred Texan until I pass away.
Well I've crossed that old state line
Although I'm loyal to Texas, I have had opportunities to move out and have definitely gone beyond its borders.
More than a time or two
I have gone out of Texas a few too many times for my liking.
And if you see me a-leavin'
On the rare occasion that I need to leave Texas, rest assured it's not forever.
You best be believing
It's true what I say; I will come back to Texas every time.
I'll be back before the week is through
I'll be back to my dear Texas before the week ends.
If I stay gone too long no tellin' what I'll do
If it takes me too long to come back, you never know what I might do to get back home.
I might a-highjack a plane
To return to Texas sooner, I might even resort to hijacking a plane.
I might jump a freight train
Or, I might do something as daring as jumping on a freight train to come back home quick.
To get back home it's true
All because I have a burning desire to be in Texas, where I truly belong.
[Chorus]
Refrain of the song
Well now I don't mind going to Oklahoma
Although Texas will always be my true home, I don't mind stepping over to its neighboring state, Oklahoma.
Ain't never met an Okie that I didn't like
I don't have issues with the people of Oklahoma and they all seem okay to me.
I don't mind New York City
I don't have much problem with the urban atmosphere provided by New York City.
Those Yankees talk funny but they're alright
I do find the accent of New Yorkers amusing, but in general, they're alright and tolerable.
I don't mind going to wessiana
Wessiana, or West Louisiana, is alright to me; I don't mind going down there.
Their red hot Cajun cooking suits me fine
I do like their spicy Cajun cuisine, and their preparation is well-suited to my taste.
If I had my way
If I had the ultimate choice or decision to make,
I'd be home today
my preference would be to be back in Texas, right here and right now.
On my front porch drinking moonshine
And specifically, I would enjoy being back in my home, sipping moonshine on my front porch.
[Chorus x3]
Refrain of the song with more repetition
Yeah now I'm a hell bent 100% Texan til I die
I reiterate that I am a Texan at heart, and will remain one unconditionally for as long as I live.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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