… Read Full Bio ↴Ruthie Foster is an American singer/songwriter of blues and folk music.
She is from Gause, Texas and from a family of gospel singers. She studied music at McLennan Community College and then worked in the US Navy, where she started performing. Her debut was released in 1997 and she has performed in North America, Europe and Australia. She has often been compared to Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin.
Smalltown Blues
Ruthie Foster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said you better come on down and rescue me
I got to leave this town and I've to leave right now
Whoa, I ain't gonna be held responsible for the things going on in my mind
Whoa, they said I need to rest but I can't agree
Ever since I got here right on even sleep
I've got to leave this town and I've got to leave right now
Mmmm
Won't you get me out some how
Oh, I've got the lowdown dirty living in the small town blues
But, I'm running out of things to do
Whoa, you know I don't need no pity, just drop me in a city
I gotta feel the rhythm, feel the rhythm running in my shoes
Hey-y-y, hey
Yes I do
Whoa, I do do do
Well, I do do do
Well, I do do do
Small town blues
Yea, Oh I do do do
Well, I do do do
I don't care who, what, when or where
I want cha to get me out some how
Oh, I got the lowdown dirty living in the small town blues
And, I'm running out of things to do
Whoa, you know I don't need no pity just drop me in a city
I gotta feel the rhythm, feel the rhythm running in my shoes
Yes I do
Whoa, I do do do do
I got the small town blues
End
The lyrics of Ruthie Foster's song "Smalltown Blues" express a longing to escape the dullness and monotony of living in a small town. The singer urgently calls her lover, begging them to come rescue her and take her away. She explains that she can't be held responsible for the thoughts that are going through her mind, and that she needs to leave right now. She's running out of things to do, and she wants to feel the rhythm of life in a big city.
The song captures the sense of restlessness that many people feel when they've been living in the same place for too long. The small town is suffocating, and the singer feels like she's going crazy. She's desperate for something new and exciting, which is why she's begging her lover to take her away. The line "I don't care who, what, when or where, won't you get me out somehow" sums up her desperation perfectly.
Overall, "Smalltown Blues" is a powerful anthem for anyone who's ever felt trapped in a small town. The lyrics are simple, but they convey a strong message about the need for change and adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa, I call my baby up a quarter to three
I called my significant other at 2:45am and asked them to come save me
Said you better come on down and rescue me
I begged them to come get me out of this situation
I got to leave this town and I've got to leave right now
I need to get out of this small town immediately
Whoa, I ain't gonna be held responsible for the things going on in my mind
I refuse to take responsibility for my mental state
Whoa, they said I need to rest but I can't agree
People urged me to stay and rest, but I disagree
Ever since I got here right on even sleep
I haven't been able to sleep since I arrived
Mmmm
Expressing an indeterminate feeling or thought
I don't care who, what, when or where
I don't care who helps me or how, I just need to get out
Won't you get me out some how
Please, find a way to get me out of here
Oh, I've got the lowdown dirty living in the small town blues
Living in a small town is depressing and demoralizing
But, I'm running out of things to do
I'm bored and have exhausted all options
Whoa, you know I don't need no pity, just drop me in a city
I don't want sympathy, just take me to a city with more life
I gotta feel the rhythm, feel the rhythm running in my shoes
I need to experience the energy and excitement of urban life
Hey-y-y, hey
Expressing an excitement or enthusiasm
Yes I do
Emphasizing agreement with a previous statement
Whoa, I do do do
Expressing an uncertain feeling or thought
Well, I do do do
Repeating an uncertain statement
Small town blues
Feeling trapped and unhappy in a small town
Yea, Oh I do do do
Continuing to express an uncertain feeling or thought
Well, I do do do
Repeating an uncertain statement
I don't care who, what, when or where
Repeating the sentiment of needing to get out of this small town
I want cha to get me out some how
Reemphasizing the need to escape
Oh, I got the lowdown dirty living in the small town blues
Repeating the depressing feeling of small town life
And, I'm running out of things to do
Repeating the sense of boredom
Whoa, you know I don't need no pity just drop me in a city
Repeating the desire to be taken to a more lively place
I gotta feel the rhythm, feel the rhythm running in my shoes
Repeating the desire for excitement and energy
Yes I do
Reiterating agreement with the previous statement
Whoa, I do do do do
Expressing ongoing uncertainty or confusion
I got the small town blues
Summing up the feeling of being trapped and unhappy in a small town
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.