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.
What
Kevin Fowler Lyrics
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Out poking fun
At this old country boy
And the songs that he sung
Still cracking jokes
He sarcastically implied
Let me guess
And I said, hey
[Chorus: ]
That's what I like about a country song
Where somebody done somebody wrong
And not just something that is understood
By those high rollers out in Hollywood
'Cause it's about
Real folks living real life
With real problems
Like an old ex-wife
If you agree
With the boys and me
Then sing along
"That's what I like about a country song"
Some like to rock
Some like to roll
Some like it fast
And some like slow
If you living right
Or right down the middle
Everybody stops to listen
When that bow hits the fiddle
It's music for the rich or poor
Hot mamas driving to the grocery store
All the farmers, the doctors
The truckers and the teachers, young punks, old drunks
Even Church of Christ preachers, Praise the Lord!
[Chorus: ]
In this song, Kevin Fowler is responding to someone who is making fun of him for singing country songs. The mocker sarcastically suggests that Fowler's songs are all about heartbreak and tragedy, mocking the idea of a classic "something done somebody wrong" country song. Fowler responds by pointing out that that's exactly what he likes about country songs – they are about real problems that real people experience, like heartbreak and divorce. He notes that country music is a genre that appeals to all kinds of people, from farmers and truckers to doctors and teachers, and even church preachers. His point is that despite the mockery, country music speaks to a broad range of people because it reflects real life in a way that other genres do not.
The chorus reinforces this idea, saying that the appeal of a classic country song is that it's relatable to everyone – it's about real folks living real life with real problems. The lyrics also acknowledge that everyone has different tastes in music – some like it slow, some like it fast, some like to rock, some like to roll – but Fowler argues that there's something special about country music that sets it apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I heard someone
I overheard someone
Out poking fun
Making fun of
At this old country boy
At me, a country boy
And the songs that he sung
And the type of music I enjoy
Still cracking jokes
Continuing to make jokes
He sarcastically implied
He made a sarcastic comment, insinuating that
Let me guess
I bet you're going to say
"Your girl's gone and your dog just died"
"Your love life and pet are both gone"
And I said, hey
I responded
"That's what I like about a country song
"That's why I love country music
Where somebody done somebody wrong
Where there's a story of someone getting hurt or betrayed
And not just something that is understood
And not just something only certain people can relate to
By those high rollers out in Hollywood
By celebrities and wealthy individuals in Hollywood
'Cause it's about
Because it's focused on
Real folks living real life
Real people living their everyday lives
With real problems
Facing real struggles and issues
Like an old ex-wife
Like dealing with an ex-wife
If you agree
If you feel the same way
With the boys and me
With my male friends and me
Then sing along
Join in and sing with us
"That's what I like about a country song"
"That's why I love country music"
Some like to rock
Some people prefer rock music
Some like to roll
Others like to listen to music that rolls or flows
Some like it fast
Some prefer fast-paced music
And some like slow
While some like slower tempo music
If you living right
If you're making good choices in life
Or right down the middle
Or if you're still figuring things out
Everybody stops to listen
Everyone pays attention
When that bow hits the fiddle
When the bow touches the fiddle strings
It's music for the rich or poor
It's music that anyone can enjoy, regardless of wealth
Hot mamas driving to the grocery store
Even mothers driving to the grocery store
All the farmers, the doctors
Farmers and doctors alike
The truckers and the teachers, young punks, old drunks
Truck drivers, teachers, young people, and older adults who enjoy a good time
Even Church of Christ preachers, Praise the Lord!
Even religious leaders can enjoy it and appreciate it, praising the Lord
"That's what I like about a country song"
"That's why I love country music"
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind