The four-time Grammy winner has acted in a number of films and been a guest-star on television. Lovett was married to actress Julia Roberts for a short time in the mid-1990s. In 2002, he was gored by a bull while working on his uncle's farm in Texas, but soon recovered and resumed touring.
You're Not From Texas
Lyle Lovett Lyrics
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Man as if I couldn't tell
You think you pull your boots on right
And wear your hat so well
So pardon me my laughter
'Cause I sure do understand
Even moses got excited
That's right you're not from Texas
That's right you're not from Texas
That's right you're not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway
That's right you're not from Texas
That's right you're not from Texas
That's right you're not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway
See I was born and raised in texas
And it means so much to me
Though my girl comes from down in Georgia
We were up in Tennessee
And as we were driving down the highway
She asked me baby what's so great
How come you're always going on
About your lone star state
I said that's right you're not from Texas
That's right you're not from Texas
That's right you're not from texas
But Texas wants you anyway
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
But texas wants you anyway
Oh the road it looked so lovely
As she stood there on the side
And she grew smaller in my mirror
As I watched her wave goodbye
Those boys from carolina
They sure enough could sing
But when they came on down to texas
We all showed them how to swing
Now david's on the radio
And old champ's still on the guitar
And uncle walt he's home with heidi
Hiding in her loving arms
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
But texas wants you anyway
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
But texas wants you anyway
They're ok in oklahoma
Up in arkansas they're fair
But those old folks in missouri
They don't even know you're there
But at a dance hall down in texas
That's the finest place to be
The women they all look beautiful
And their men will buy your beer for free
And they'll say that's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
But texas wants you anyway
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
But texas wants you anyway
So won't you let me help you mister
Just pull your hat down the way I do
And buy your pants just a little longer
And next time somebody laughs at you
You just tell 'em you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
But texas wants you anyway
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
That's right you're not from texas
But texas wants you anyway
The lyrics to Lyle Lovett's "You're Not From Texas" are an ode to the state of Texas and the pride that Texans feel in their state. Lovett acknowledges the fact that the person he is singing to is not from Texas, but that doesn't matter because Texas still wants them anyway. He pokes fun at the person's attempts to fit in by wearing cowboy boots and a hat, but ultimately, he accepts them as part of the Texas community.
The chorus, which repeats the line "that's right you're not from Texas, but Texas wants you anyway", reinforces the idea that being from Texas is not a requirement to feel a sense of belonging in the state. Lovett believes that anyone can become a Texan simply by embracing the state's culture and way of life.
Lovett's personal experiences also come into play in the song. He introduces the story of his girl who is from Georgia, and her confusion about why Lovett is always talking about his "Lone Star State". This serves as a nod to the fact that Texas pride can seem over the top to people who weren't born there, but that doesn't mean they can't appreciate it.
Overall, "You're Not From Texas" is a fun, upbeat reminder that anyone can become a Texan if they just embrace the state's culture and way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you're not from texas
You claim that you are not from the state of Texas
Man as if I couldn't tell
It's quite clear that you are not from Texas
You think you pull your boots on right
You believe that you know how to wear cowboy boots correctly
And wear your hat so well
You consider yourself to look good while wearing a cowboy hat
So pardon me my laughter
Please forgive me for finding this amusing
'Cause I sure do understand
I can relate to why you are trying to fit in
Even moses got excited
Even a biblical figure like Moses would be elated in this situation
When he saw the promised land
When he saw the place that he had been searching for
That's right you're not from Texas
It's true that you are not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway
However, Texas still welcomes you with open arms
See I was born and raised in texas
I was actually born and raised in Texas
And it means so much to me
My home state holds a special place in my heart
Though my girl comes from down in Georgia
Even though my girlfriend is from Georgia
We were up in Tennessee
We were in Tennessee at the time
And as we were driving down the highway
While we were traveling in my car
She asked me baby what's so great
She asked me what was so special about Texas
How come you're always going on
Why do you constantly talk about it
About your lone star state
Regarding your home state of Texas
Oh the road it looked so lovely
The road ahead appeared beautiful
As she stood there on the side
As my girlfriend stood at the side of the road
And she grew smaller in my mirror
As she disappeared from view in my rearview mirror
As I watched her wave goodbye
As I saw her say farewell as she continued down the road
Those boys from carolina
A group of guys from North Carolina
They sure enough could sing
They were definitely talented singers
But when they came on down to texas
However, when they traveled to Texas
We all showed them how to swing
We Texans taught them how to have a good time
Now david's on the radio
One of our friends, David, is now a famous radio personality
And old champ's still on the guitar
Another friend, Champ, still plays the guitar professionally
And uncle walt he's home with heidi
My uncle, Walt, is at home with his wife, Heidi
Hiding in her loving arms
He is enjoying the comfort of her embrace
They're ok in oklahoma
People in Oklahoma are alright
Up in arkansas they're fair
The folks in Arkansas are decent
But those old folks in missouri
The seniors in Missouri
They don't even know you're there
Would hardly take any notice of you
But at a dance hall down in texas
However, at a dance hall in Texas
That's the finest place to be
That is the best spot to go to
The women they all look beautiful
The women there are stunning
And their men will buy your beer for free
Their male companions will even get you a drink for nothing
So won't you let me help you mister
So would you let me provide you with some advice, sir
Just pull your hat down the way I do
Simply adjust your cowboy hat in the same manner I do
And buy your pants just a little longer
Also, purchase pants that are a bit longer than usual
And next time somebody laughs at you
So that in the future, when someone makes fun of you
You just tell 'em you're not from Texas
You can inform them that you are not from Texas
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALISON ROGERS, LYLE LOVETT, WILLIS ALAN RAMSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Payne
Gawd bless'im.
I'm a native Texan, and I've gone inside the Alamo. Inside is a plaque that notates every person that died there defending the Alamo.
And they're from all over the world! People from Germany, Scotland, France, etc. Even Mexico, who was the enemy at the time.
And they all died for my Texas.
Their blood made this land sacred, and I'm eternally grateful for that.
Texas is not about where you were you were born. It's about what you believe-- what you will live, stand, and die for.
It's about yelling down tyranny. It's about screaming a battlecry at hurricanes.
It's about living and dying for something greater than yourself.
I love Texas. I was born in Texas, and I'll die in Texas.
God bless Texas.
Be a Dad
I have been in Texas since 1995. I don't wear a Stetson but I am as big a Texan as you are (Yes, I stole that).
My point is, what I have always loved about Texas is no matter where we may fall along political lines, we were Texans first.
I pray that never changes.
I love my blue Texans as much as my red Texans.
Texas rocks. Do what is best for every Texan.
Joe Herald
Nobody is as cool as this guy. What a perfect genre meld. There's some rock, some jazz, some 50's country, some R&B, some big band. Well done sir.
Jenny McMillin
Hes the best theres ever been or will be. Period. ❤❤🙏🙏❤
QE3
@Lincoln MacEachern Two Texans.
Lincoln MacEachern
I always thought of Willie Nelson as eclectic musically, but no one holds a candle to Lyle.
AvgDude
Lovett is all class all the time. What an extraordinary entertainer and musician, a real Texas Treasure.
Charles Bird
What an incredibly tight band and arrangement! This should be the new state song.
Hector's Mommy
I know this is old but still had to respond. This song was used in "Travel Texas" ads shown around the country for several years. Here in the Great Lakes region I saw them frequently and, of course, already knew the song.
Jérôme Nicolas
Name a city in this guy's honour. I just love him.
Rich Paul
That's a very seriously great suggestion! I second it!
Stephen Foster
The Large Band is just amazing... what a great fit. Matt Rollings (piano) is one of my favorite musicians around. He's just the best. Having said that, everyone in the band is studio musician worthy. I've seen Lyle perform in concert half a dozen times and he always brings his A game.