2. The country-rock band The Cicada… Read Full Bio ↴1. 1960s Australian rock group.
2. The country-rock band The Cicadas was a side project of singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell in league with frequent collaborators Vince Santoro, Michael Rhodes and Steuart Smith. The group first took shape as far back as 1986, when Crowell enlisted Santoro as a drummer for a solo tour; as the tour progressed, Santoro began singing one or two songs per show, and although Crowell continued on as a solo performer, the idea of forming a band with Santoro stuck with him. Bassist Rhodes and guitarist Smith entered the picture soon after, and although the four musicians worked together often, the Cicadas did not officially form until 1996.
Tobacco Road
The Cicadas Lyrics
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Mama died and my daddy got drunk
Left me here to die or grow
In the middle of Tobacco Road
Grew up in a rusty shack
All I had was a hangin' on my back
Only you know how I loathe
But it's home
The only life I've ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
Gonna leave, get a job
With help and grace from above
Save my money, grow rich and old
And bring it back to Tobacco Road
Bring dynamite and a crane
Blow it up and start all over again
And build a town we'd be proud to show
And give the name of Tobacco Road
But it's home
The only life I've ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
I was born in a trunk
My mama died and my daddy got drunk
Left me here to die or grow
In the middle of Tobacco Road
But it's home
The only life I've ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
The Cicadas' "Tobacco Road" is a poignant song about growing up in a poverty-stricken area that one both loves and loathes. The singer in the song, who was born in a trunk, was abandoned by his father after his mother died, and he was left in the middle of Tobacco Road to either perish or rise to the challenges of his surroundings. He grew up in a rusty shack with very little to call his own, but he still considered Tobacco Road to be his home, for better or for worse.
The singer is ambitious and hopeful, however, and has plans to leave Tobacco Road to get a job, save his money, and eventually return to improve the area. He plans to bring dynamite and a crane to blow up the old structures and build new ones, creating a town that he would finally be proud to show off, and one that he could finally call his true home.
The lyrics of "Tobacco Road" are both haunting and humbling, giving insight into the struggles that many people living in poverty face in their everyday lives. The song is a powerful reminder that although one may hate where they are from, it will always be a part of their story and their journey towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in a trunk
I was born into poverty with very few possessions
Mama died and my daddy got drunk
My mother passed away and my father turned to alcohol, leaving me alone
Left me here to die or grow
My father abandoned me to either perish or learn how to survive on my own
In the middle of Tobacco Road
I was left in a destitute area known as Tobacco Road
Grew up in a rusty shack
I endured a childhood living in a run-down and dilapidated dwelling
All I had was a hangin' on my back
The only possessions I owned were the clothes on my back
Only you know how I loathe
No one else can comprehend the extent to which I detest
This place called Tobacco Road
The squalid environment in which I was raised
But it's home
Despite its many flaws and difficulties, Tobacco Road is the place where I have always lived
The only life I've ever known
I have never experienced anything other than the harsh realities of Tobacco Road
Gonna leave, get a job
I will depart from Tobacco Road and seek employment elsewhere
With help and grace from above
I will rely on divine assistance to overcome the many obstacles I will inevitably face
Save my money, grow rich and old
I will strive to accumulate wealth and age into my golden years
And bring it back to Tobacco Road
I will return to Tobacco Road with my newfound wealth
Bring dynamite and a crane
I will use explosive force and a heavy lifting apparatus to demolish the existing structures
Blow it up and start all over again
I will destroy everything and initiate a total overhaul
And build a town we'd be proud to show
I will construct a community that is worthy of admiration and respect
And give the name of Tobacco Road
Despite the previous negative connotations, I will rename the newly constructed town Tobacco Road, but imbue it with a completely different meaning
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RetroRob420
Cicadas were so underrated. Their harmony was so fucking on point. Truly a hidden gem!
@TigerRogers0660
Yeah. The whole album is top notch!!!!! Tiger.
@mishakolomoicev9701
Tight & Smooth.
@TigerRogers0660
Thanks!! Tiger.
@DBLuba
Love this song. Sounds great.
@TigerRogers0660
Thanks Dave!! Top notch cover version!! Cheers Tiger.
@Nipstersongs1
Always loved the original, Tiger and this cover is outstanding! Thanks so much for posting it. Best regards,
Jim
@TigerRogers0660
Thanks for listening Jim! These guys have done a great job to keep the 60s vibe! All the best, Tiger.
@blueycarlton
Do you mean John D. Loudermilk's, the writer of this? Or Nashville Teens cover?
This a great version.
@CarolsOldiesSoul
Fantastic upload, Tiger. Love it! Thanks for the share.. Carol