Under this five-piece lineup, Pirates of the Mississippi made its national debut in 1990 with a cover of Hank Williams' "Honky Tonk Blues"; a #26 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart, it was the debut single from their self-titled debut album. "Honky Tonk Blues" was followed by ten more singles, all of which charted between 1990 and 1995; in that same time span, the band would release four more studio albums and a compilation album. Severs was replaced by Greg Trostle in 1994; two years later, the five members parted ways.
In 2000, Rich and Bill reunited and began recording again as a duo, once again using the name Pirates of the Mississippi. The re-established lineup of Alves and McCorvey has produced one album to date -- 2006's Heaven and a Dixie Night, on the independent CBuJ Ent. label.
Pirates of the Mississippi was formed in 1987, when Nashville session musicians Bill McCorvey (lead vocals), Rich Alves (guitar), Dean Townson (bass guitar), Jimmy Lowe (drums), and Pat Severs (steel guitar) started performing together. Originally, they identified themselves as the We Don't Want a Freaking Record Deal Band; upon witnessing a group of fans wearing clogs, the group changed its name to The Cloggers. Eventually, they settled on the name Pirates of the Mississippi; this name was inspired by Lowe, whom the other members thought resembled a pirate.
Pirates of the Mississippi soon began playing various clubs around Nashville; eventually, they attracted the attention of an A&R representative at Capitol Records, who signed them to a recording contract in 1990. That year, they released their debut album (also titled Pirates of the Mississippi, with its first single being a cover of Hank Williams' "Honky Tonk Blues"; this cover peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. "Feed Jake", the third single from the album, became the group's highest-charting hit, peaking at #15. Its success helped the Pirates earn a Top New Vocal Group award from the Academy of Country Music.
1991's Walk the Plank, their second album for Capitol. produced two Top 40 hits and a #41. After a restructuring of Capitol Nashville, the band was shifted to Liberty Records, where they would release their third and fourth albums: A Street Man Named Desire (1992) and Dream You (1993). Each album produced only one chart single.
By 1994, a compilation album entitled The Best of Pirates of the Mississippi was issued. This compilation included several tracks from their first four albums, as well as newly recorded dance mixes. The same year, Severs was replaced with Greg Trostle on steel guitar. Not long afterward, they would exit Liberty's roster for Giant Records, where they would release the album Paradise. That album's only single failed to chart at all, and the band broke up in 1996, with Alves and McCorvey choosing to focus on their songwriting.
In 2000, Rich Alves and Bill McCorvey decided to reunite as a duo, again assuming the name Pirates of the Mississippi. They were signed to CBuJ Ent. Records in 2006, releasing the album Heaven and a Dixie Night that year. Former member Pat Severs has since joined the house band on Nashville Star, a talent show which airs on the USA Networks. McCorvey has also founded a second band named Buffalo Rome, although he and Alves continue to tour as Pirates of the Mississippi as well.
Rollin' Home
Pirates of the Mississippi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rollin' home, rollin' home
Been countin' down every single mile
Of this road I'm on
I got a sweet little baby that keeeps me
Rollin' home
Only been twelve days but it seems like a year
Picked up a load in San Angeline
Dropped a transmission down in New Orleans
Had the bird dog on dodgin' the scales
Eight miles an hour and a step out of jail
Quick cup of coffee and I'm back in the seat
She told me that she loved me via AT&T
Chorus
Sometimes it seems like this ain't no life
Truck stop showers and burgers and fries
But I don't know what else I would do
Got my education from Interstate U
Gonna meet our friends on Saturday night
And go dancin' down at Legion Post forty five
Got a quarter acre mansion on the VA plan
And we're building on a dream workin' hand and hand
Chorus
Tag:
It's my sweet little that keeps me rollin' home
The Pirates of Mississippi's song "Rollin' Home" is a country music track that tells the story of a truck driver who is on the road, away from his beloved but is looking forward to meeting her soon. The chorus of the song is quite catchy, and the singer mentions that he is "Rollin' home" due to his love for his "sweet little baby" who is eagerly waiting for him to come back. The singer takes the listeners on his journey and speaks about his experiences on the road, including the various states he has visited, the load he has picked up, and the challenges he has faced.
In the first verse, the singer notes that he has only been on the road for 12 days, but it seems like a year. He has picked up a load in San Angeline and dropped a transmission down in New Orleans. Moreover, he had to constantly dodge the scales and was only going at eight miles per hour. However, all of this is offset by the fact that his girl has expressed her love for him via AT&T, showing that even when he is far away, he is not forgotten.
In the second verse, the singer speaks of the negative aspects that come with his profession, such as truck stops, showers, burgers, and fries. Yet, he notes that he is content with the education he has received from "Interstate U" and wouldn't choose anything else. He then speaks about his plans on Saturday night, where he will meet his friends, and they will head down to Legion Post forty-five to dance. It shows a lighthearted side of the singer's life and offers a contrast to the personal feelings that he has shared in the previous two verses.
In conclusion, the Pirates of the Mississippi's song "Rollin' Home" is a country track that tells the story of a truck driver who is on the road and can't wait to reunite with his lover. It offers a glimpse into the trucking profession and also shows how the driver's domestic life is just as important to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Rollin' home, rollin' home
The singer is excited to be heading home.
Been countin' down every single mile
The singer is eager to reunite with his loved one.
Of this road I'm on
The singer has been traveling on a long and tiresome journey.
I got a sweet little baby that keeeps me
The singer's significant other motivates him to keep going.
Only been twelve days but it seems like a year
The singer feels like he's been away from home for longer than he has.
I've seen America from ear to ear
The singer has traveled across the country.
Picked up a load in San Angeline
The singer has worked while on his journey.
Dropped a transmission down in New Orleans
The singer had car troubles while traveling through New Orleans.
Had the bird dog on dodgin' the scales
The singer was trying to avoid getting caught by the police while driving his truck.
Eight miles an hour and a step out of jail
The singer has faced some difficulties while traveling at times.
Quick cup of coffee and I'm back in the seat
The singer is always in a rush to keep moving on his journey.
She told me that she loved me via AT&T
The singer's significant other called him to proclaim her love for him.
Sometimes it seems like this ain't no life
The singer questions his lifestyle and choices.
Truck stop showers and burgers and fries
The singer is tired of the limited food selection and hygiene on the road.
But I don't know what else I would do
The singer isn't sure what other career he would have if not for driving a truck.
Got my education from Interstate U
The singer has learned most of his life experiences while driving on the interstate.
Gonna meet our friends on Saturday night
The singer is looking forward to seeing his friends after a long journey.
And go dancin' down at Legion Post forty five
The singer intends to have a good time with his friends.
Got a quarter acre mansion on the VA plan
The singer has plans for a comfortable future after retiring from truck driving.
And we're building on a dream workin' hand and hand
The singer and his significant other are working hard towards a financially stable future.
It's my sweet little that keeps me rollin' home
The singer's significant other is the driving force behind his desire to return home.
Contributed by Charlotte D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.