Shooter Jennings lived his first few years in a crib on his parents' tour bus. By age five, he was playing drums. Between tours, he took piano lessons. He started playing guitar at fourteen and sometimes played in his father's band. He and his father recorded a few things together when they happened to have some microphones set up and the tape recorder plugged in. At age sixteen, Jennings discovered rock 'n' roll.
As an adult, Jennings left Nashville, Tennessee to seek his fortunes in Los Angeles. He assembled and performed with Stargunn, a southern rock band whose sound he described as Lynyrd Skynyrd mutating into Guns N' Roses. Stargunn performed at local clubs for six years, built a rabid following and earned praise from the local music press. But the Hollywood party scene eventually began to bother him. He says, "I was posing as a rocker—a country guy trying to be something he wasn't."
On March 30, 2003, Jennings dissolved Stargunn and moved to New York City to spend time with his girlfriend and sort out what he wanted to do next. An unexpected gig at the House of Blues a few weeks later revived his creativity. He returned to Los Angeles to form another band, the 357s. After six weeks in the studio, he completed his first solo album, Put the O Back in Country. Universal South released the album in early 2005.
Jennings portrayed his father in the Johnny Cash biopic, Walk the Line. He is the host of Shooter Jennings' Electric Rodeo, a two-hour weekly music show on Sirius Satellite Radio's Outlaw Country channel. He currently dates Drea de Matteo. Shooter Jennings' second solo album "Electric Rodeo" was released on April 04, 2006.
Gone To Carolina
Shooter Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It takes me to a station on the long black train
I wanna hear the wind blow and feel the earth move below me
Despite of all the good times, I gotta rest my soul
So I'm gone, yes, I'm gone
Gone to Carolina, where I know that I belong
Yes, I'm gone, yes, I'm gone
Every time I think I see your face in a crowd
It's like a bell inside of me and it's ringin' out loud
I've been so high for so long, there's nothing tried nor true
I'm thinking bout coming down, to lay a little on you
And I'm gone, yes, I'm gone
Gone to Carolina, where I know that I belong
Yes, I'm gone, yes, I'm gone
Gone to Carolina, where I know, I have a home
Take me home
Yes I'm gone, yes, I'm gone
Gone to Carolina, where I know that I belong
Yes, I'm gone, yes, I'm gone
Gone to Carolina, where I know, I have a home
Yea, come on
The lyrics of Shooter Jennings's song Gone To Carolina is a reflection of the singer's journey to find where he belongs. The first verse talks about the southern rain and how it takes him to a station on the long black train, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for his travels and how he's searching for something. He wants to feel the earth move below him and hear the wind blow, which could represent finding a sense of grounding and stability. Despite all the good times, he feels the need to rest his soul, which suggests that he's been traveling for a while and needs a break.
The second verse talks about how he sees someone's face in a crowd and it's like a bell inside him that's ringing out loud. This person might be significant to him, and he's been high for so long that he wants to come down and lay a little on them. This could indicate that he's been chasing after something and wants to take a break and spend time with someone he cares about. The chorus repeats that he's gone to Carolina, where he knows that he belongs and has a home. The repetition reinforces the idea that the singer has found a sense of belonging and comfort in this place.
Overall, the song explores the idea of finding a sense of home and belonging after being on a journey. The southern rain, wind, and seeing someone's face in a crowd all represent moments of clarity and groundedness for the singer. This is reinforced by the repeated chorus of "gone to Carolina," which shows that he's found a place where he feels like he belongs and has a home.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I think I smell that sweet southern rain
The smell of rain in the south reminds me of a train station and makes me think about traveling.
It takes me to a station on the long black train
The smell of the rain brings me to a dark place where I contemplate my journey through life.
I wanna hear the wind blow and feel the earth move below me
I long to feel the wind and ground beneath my feet as I move forward in my life.
Despite of all the good times, I gotta rest my soul
Even though I've experienced joy in my life, my soul still needs rest and renewal.
So I'm gone, yes, I'm gone
I am leaving to find a place where I can rest and feel at peace.
Gone to Carolina, where I know that I belong
I am headed to Carolina because I feel like I belong there; it is a place where I can be myself.
Every time I think I see your face in a crowd
When I see a face that resembles yours, it triggers a feeling inside of me.
It's like a bell inside of me and it's ringin' out loud
The feeling that seeing your face brings is intense and hard to ignore.
I've been so high for so long, there's nothing tried nor true
I have been living my life recklessly for a long time, and now I am searching for something more meaningful.
I'm thinking bout coming down, to lay a little on you
I am considering a more grounded and stable lifestyle, and would like to share it with you.
Gone to Carolina, where I know that I belong
I am confident that Carolina is the place where I will find peace and belonging.
Gone to Carolina, where I know, I have a home
I am leaving to find my true home, where I can be my authentic self.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: WAYLON ALBRIGHT JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jjp
Shooter is the f'ing man!
I'll never forget Dec 2005 when me and my pops went to see you at the Tractor Tavern. I know he enjoyed the hell out of it. My late pops even emailed me the day "Outlaw You" came out and it was instantly our favorite song.
You're a talented dude, my friend. Really enjoyed what you've been doing with Yela (and esp my fav Red Dirt band Jason Boland). But I'm super proud of your nephew n what he's overcome. He's killing it right now! Struggle, Jelly, Yela, Upchurch, ACal (kinda Nashville) are really opening some eyes.
Speaking of, Upchurch's 'Said F It' reminds me thematically so much of Outlaw You. His invokes a lot more humor but y'all share the anti-label, rugged individual sentiment.
I read your pops' and your brother Terry's autobiographies and RIP to Terry; seemed like a really genuine dude and his book was well done. I still laugh about the coke bottle joke Waylon told your brother and sister at the TX State Fair. That was funny shit. I also checked out that little store/museum outside of Lubbock a few years ago honoring your dad while checking out Buddy Holly's grave site.
Until the end of time, when I hear the name Waylon I will always think of my dad. And I'm so glad we were able to bond over music later in life. God bless you and your family. Next time you hit up Billy Bob's, I'm there. That handprint wall must be a real trip, seeing your mom, dad, friends, mentors, idols, gotta be a cool pinch yourself moment.
I'm still pissed I didn't know about the Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Hank Jr set till after sold out but that woulda been one you tell your grandkids about.
pitbull8myguitar
Now this is some bad ass southern rock !! Nice to see Shooter carrying on his daddy's legacy.
Danessa Taylor
I get chills every time I hear Shooters voice or see his face......it amazes me what a combination he his of his mamma & daddy both! Keep the legend rollin on Shooter, bless you!
Clifford Krauel
It doesn't get any more truthful than this man right here, he's a true blessing to have on this earth!!!!🙏🙏🍁🍂🌾🖤🖤👊👊👍🤘
Jim Brooks
I find it truly sad that "Country" radio won't touch music like this with a ten foot pole today. They play noting but pop music sung with a southern accent, and call it country. What I wouldn't give for a radio station that actually gave artists like Shooter and Jamey Johnson some air time.
rolewithjoel
+Klista Bateman I've known it but heard it on the radio also. thankfully I'm fortunate enough to have a station that knows what they're doing
Jim Brooks
Klista Bateman I wish I lived where you do, because none of the country stations in my area would ever play anything by anyone named Jennings, Williams, Jones, or Nelson.
I heard a song on one of my local stations a couple of days ago that sounded like straight hip-hop, complete with auto-tune and drum machine.
The funny thing is that I do get to hear Johnny Cash every once in a while, but that's only on the local "Modern Rock" station.
Nicholas Weems
Jim Brooks you are so right
Sarah Giddens
Jim Brooks I don't know if these guys would WANT to be on the same "country" station as the "pop-country" artists...lol this is beyond county..like Delta Blues/GrassRoots/Southern Rock had a love triangle. haha ..guys like Shooter are just the tip of the iceberg (IMO) If you haven't heard Brother Dege, Uncle Lucius, The Civil Wars, Steel drivers, Lincoln Durham, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, or Jace Everett...allow me to "tune you in" to several more highly underrated, amazing gems of the Funk-Folk underground 😎✌
Andrea crisp
i called and asked about Shooter hell they didn't even know who he was ...told them we need to Outlaw them
Joe Mitchell
This album never got the credit it deserved. It's a classic.