Kid Rock released several studio albums from 1988 that mostly went unnoticed before his 1998 record 'Devil Without a Cause', released with Atlantic Records, sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba","Cowboy," and "Only God Knows Why". In 2000, he released The History of Rock which was a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from his previous albums as well as the hit single, "American Bad Ass". In 2001, he released the follow up, Cocky. After a slow start, his country-flavored hit "Picture" with Sheryl Crow resurrected the album and it went gold as a single and pushed the album's sales to more than 5 million. It was followed by 2003's self-titled release, which failed to chart a major hit. In 2006 he released Live Trucker , a live album. In 2007 Kid Rock released Rock N Roll Jesus, which produced a hit in "All Summer Long." It was his first worldwide smash hit, charting #1 in eight countries across Europe and Australia. Rock N Roll Jesus would go on to sell 5 million albums worldwide including being certified triple platinum in the US.
He has sold 22 million albums to date in the United States, which currently ranks him as the 99th best selling music artist of all time in the U.S.
Detroit
Kid Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Memphis
Talkin’ ‘bout rock n roll
Hey Texas
New York City’s uptown grooves
A little Mississippi Delta blues
Flossin’ Austin and the Boston Pops
And everybody knows that Cleveland rocks
Talkin’ ‘bout girls, girls, girls
California
Talkin’ ‘bout fine, fine girls
Oklahoma
A downtown Nashville honky-tonk
Some big fat back beat DC funk
Jacksonville and the Southern rock
In New Orleans the party never stops
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Ya heard about Marvin Gaye, we got him
Can I get a witness?
Talkin’ bout Hitsville USA we got it
How sweet it is
We got those fine, fine super Supremes
The kind of girls ya see in your dreams
When ya hear our thunderin’ sound
Ya know it comes from Detroit town
Talkin’ ‘bout Rosa Parks we sent her
Talkin’ ‘bout Henry Ford the inventor
Talkin’ ‘bout Aretha yeah we got her
The Queen of Soul
Bob Seger yeah we got him
And that old time rock n roll
Slim Shady set the world on fire
The Big Three baby and the finest cars
George Clinton’s P Funk all stars
We spend our days on the line and our nights in the bars
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Detroit, Michigan, oh yeah
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Kid Rock's song "Detroit Michigan" is a celebration of American music and culture, paying homage to the various genres and cities that have contributed to the richness of the country's musical heritage. The song is filled with references to famous musicians and landmarks from all over the US, but the central focus is on the city of Detroit, which Kid Rock hails from. Through his lyrics, he paints a picture of a vibrant and diverse community that has made an indelible mark on American music.
The song begins with Kid Rock mentioning various cities and the music styles associated with them. He name-drops Memphis, Texas, New York City, Mississippi, Austin, Boston, and Cleveland, highlighting how each place has influenced American music in its own unique way. He then shifts the focus to the women of America, name-checking California and Oklahoma for their "fine, fine girls." He also nods to Nashville, DC funk, Jacksonville, and New Orleans, showing how music is a common thread that ties together all facets of American life.
Line by Line Meaning
Talkin’ ‘bout soul, soul, soul
Detroit is known for its soulful sound
Hey Memphis
Memphis is also known for its soulful sound
Talkin’ ‘bout rock n roll
This line is a nod to the rock n roll genre that originated from areas such as Memphis and Detroit
Hey Texas
Texas is known for its contribution to country and rock music genres
New York City’s uptown grooves
NYC has a diverse music scene with influences from various genres
A little Mississippi Delta blues
The blues genre has roots in the Mississippi Delta area
Flossin’ Austin and the Boston Pops
Namedropping these cities and musical groups implies that they too have their own unique sound that contributes to the larger musical landscape
And everybody knows that Cleveland rocks
Cleveland has its own rock scene and culture
Talkin’ ‘bout girls, girls, girls
Shifting to a discussion about women - this line could imply focus on individual beauty or passionate, feminine energy
California
California has a reputation for beautiful women
Talkin’ ‘bout fine, fine girls
Repeating the previous idea - this could represent his captivation with these type of women and/or reflect the qualities he admires in them
Oklahoma
Oklahoma may not be known for its music or women, but it is included as a part of the larger musical landscape
A downtown Nashville honky-tonk
Nashville is known for its Honky Tonks which allude to the country music culture in the city
Some big fat back beat DC funk
Washington, DC also has its own funk music sound
Jacksonville and the Southern rock
Jacksonville, Florida is associated with the Southern rock genre
In New Orleans the party never stops
New Orleans is known for its jazz and nightlife culture
Detroit, Michigan, yeah
Returning back to his hometown, Detroit is still a large part of his identity and pride
Ya heard about Marvin Gaye, we got him
Marvin Gaye, a famous Motown singer and Detroit native is celebrated here
Can I get a witness?
This is a reference to the Marvin Gaye song of the same name
Talkin’ bout Hitsville USA we got it
Hitsville USA was the original headquarters of Motown Records
How sweet it is
A reference to another Marvin Gaye song of the same name
We got those fine, fine super Supremes
Supremes were a popular girl group that originated from Detroit
The kind of girls ya see in your dreams
He admires and is attracted to these types of women
When ya hear our thunderin’ sound
Detroit's music has a distinct, powerful sound
Ya know it comes from Detroit town
Detroit's music is reflective of the city's culture and history
Talkin’ ‘bout Rosa Parks we sent her
Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist who lived in Detroit and made an impact on the community and society at large
Talkin’ ‘bout Henry Ford the inventor
Henry Ford, an inventor and businessman who made his impact on Detroit's history as well as automobile production
Talkin’ ‘bout Aretha yeah we got her
Aretha Franklin, also known as the Queen of Soul, was another famous musician and Detroit native
Bob Seger yeah we got him
Bob Seger is another Detroit musician who achieved national success
And that old time rock n roll
A nod to Bob Seger's popular song of the same name
Slim Shady set the world on fire
Eminem, also known as Slim Shady, is a famous musician from Detroit with worldwide recognition for his music
The Big Three baby and the finest cars
Detroit's contributions to the automobile industry through the Big Three automakers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler) are referred to here
George Clinton’s P Funk all stars
George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic band contains members from Detroit and had influences on the funk music genre
We spend our days on the line and our nights in the bars
Detroit's blue-collar work culture is referenced here along with the nightlife scene in the city
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CLARA WILLIAMS, MAC RICE, TONY CLARKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@timsochocki6809
Talking about HOME!!! Born and raised in the D. I love that town!
@learamage2741
I love Kid Rock. His songs are always so realistic. Keep rockin' Kid Rock!!! U R GREAT!!!
@patriciaspires5450
70 years old and still rocking toThe Kid!
@mariaaw12
Been going through a lot as a Detroit Michiganer Christian woman minister now residing in Winston-Salem NC. Hate, jealousy, and racism is a real tragedy to humanity. This song help me to remember where I received my personal calling from Jesus Christ of Nazareth Himself. My hometown Detroit. Didn't grow up in the church and was a chief sinner, however Jesus still love this sinner enough to save me and send me forth with his gospel message. I'm a sreet minister and love doing the work of an evangelist. Jesus said to the super religious people, "I tell you the harlots and the publicans make into heaven before you." JESUS spoke this to the self righteous. Praise God
One Detroit City Girl.
Remember Jesus meets us where we at. We don't have to be saved first, in order to get saved by Jesus.
Love ya kid and all yall.
@sherylw3381
#1 KIDROCK i love all your music just like im in love withyou as a person...
@rebelrocker7494
That's Got the Best Freakin Beat Ever ,Rocked That. Thanks for the Great Jams ,You Rock 🤘🖤💃💃
@Lizzie-xm7rd
This song makes me feel good about being born and raised in the Big D, Detroit!
@sgt.georgeishaq2208
you're not the only one who loves Detroit
@lightningblue648
Detroit, Michigan...The Greatest City on Earth...The Big Three!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@louisateague7041
He keeps me rockin through the day , helps me smile when shit ain't goin my way