Compared to Southern rock pioneers and label-mates The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker had a more country and western feel, with the flute being a key lead instrument in their sound. "Can't You See", "Fire on the Mountain", and "This Ol' Cowboy" are among their songs that received appreciable FM radio airplay, while "Heard It in a Love Song" made it to #14 as a single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.
Original bassist Tommy Caldwell died in a car crash on April 28, 1980. His brother, guitarist Toy Caldwell, died of respiratory failure on February 25, 1993.
There was no band member named "Marshall Tucker". Originally, the band called itself The Toy Factory (named after lead-guitarist Toy Caldwell). But by the time the band released its first album they had become the Marshall Tucker Band. During a radio interview in Hempstead, NY in 1973, Tommy Caldwell explained the origins of the band's name:
"There's an old blind dude [in Spartanburg, SC] that tunes pianos, and his name is Marshall Tucker... We didn't name the band after him, but we just kind of liked that name and stuck with it."
Where a Country Boy Belongs
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got tired of hearing them same old songs
Gotta get myself back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
I kinda like those city women
When they walk by, Lord, and the way they smell
Gotta get myself back to Tennessee
Now let me tell you something city slicker
I didn't know this coochie was your wife
Put that gun back where it belongs
And I get myself on home
I'm gonna get on my hat, get back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
(instrumental break)
Now let me tell you something city slicker
I didn't know this coochie was your wife
Put that gun back where it belongs
And I get myself on home
I'm gonna get on my hat, get back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
The Marshall Tucker Band's song "Where A Country Boy Belongs" tells the story of a country boy who has found himself in the city and is desperate to return to his roots. The song begins with the singer expressing his frustration with the music being played on the jukebox and his longing to return to Tennessee. He loves the women in the city, but he misses the women from his hometown who are just as wild and carefree as the wildcats that roam the hills.
The song takes a dramatic turn when the singer finds himself in a dangerous situation with a jealous city slicker. The country boy discovers that the woman he's been flirting with is actually the man's wife and becomes the target of the man's gun. Despite the danger, the country boy remains resolute in his desire to return to Tennessee and where he belongs.
Overall, the song portrays the tension between urban and rural lifestyles and the longing for home and familiarity. It captures the nostalgia that many people feel for the simplicity and community of their hometowns, even when they're in the midst of the excitement and opportunities of the city.
Line by Line Meaning
I just threw my bottle at the jukebox
I became tired of listening to the same old tunes.
Got tired of hearing them same old songs
I felt exhausted as the same melodies played on and on.
Gotta get myself back to Tennessee
I long to return to my birthplace of Tennessee.
Lord, where a country boy belongs
It's where I can be my true self, among my kind - the country folks.
I kinda like those city women
I'm fond of those women that come from the city.
When they walk by, Lord, and the way they smell
It's how they carry themselves, and the sweet fragrance in the air that catches me.
Where the women and the wildcats, they both raise hell
In Tennessee, the women and wildcats are known to be fierce.
Now let me tell you something city slicker
I want to enlighten you, city dweller.
I didn't know this coochie was your wife
I accidental offended you by having flirted with your spouse.
Put that gun back where it belongs
Please don't harm me, let's behave civilly.
And I get myself on home
I'll make my way back to my residence.
I'm gonna get on my hat, get back to Tennessee
I'm going to pack my things and head back to Tennessee.
Lord, where a country boy belongs
It's where I can thrive in my comfort zone, among my kind of people.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TOY CALDWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
I just threw my bottle at the jukebox
Got tired of hearing them same old songs
Gotta get myself back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
I kinda like those city women
When they walk by, Lord, and the way they smell
Gotta get myself back to Tennessee
Where the women and the wildcats, they both raise hell
Now let me tell you something city slicker
I didn't know this coochie was your wife
Put that gun back where it belongs
And I get myself on home
I'm gonna get on my hat, get back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
(instrumental break)
Now let me tell you something city slicker
I didn't know this coochie was your wife
Put that gun back where it belongs
And I get myself on home
I'm gonna get on my hat, get back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
Bryan Barber
Love this song. All the way from northern Michigan. Dig it
Brenda Watkins
I'm having a great time with my FAVORITE music.
Mark Hicks
Musically this is THE BRIDGE from hillbilly blues to American Jazz= Hillbilly Jazz, I love it!
greenhometony
Yeah man never thought about that, check out Elvin Bishop and that sax.... great stuff.
Mark Hicks
@greenhometony Liked Bishop since 8-tracks, an early live album is incredible.
Calling All Cows and other such nonsense.
Ddhd5473 weir
Marshall Tucker introduced me to Elvin B when he opened for them in either '74 or '75 in Normal Bloomington ,IL Someone help me out.
johnny zell
I just threw my bottle at the jukebox
Got tired of hearing them same old songs
Gotta get myself back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
I kinda like those city women
When they walk by, Lord, and the way they smell
Gotta get myself back to Tennessee
Where the women and the wildcats, they both raise hell
Now let me tell you something city slicker
I didn't know this coochie was your wife
Put that gun back where it belongs
And I get myself on home
I'm gonna get on my hat, get back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
(instrumental break)
Now let me tell you something city slicker
I didn't know this coochie was your wife
Put that gun back where it belongs
And I get myself on home
I'm gonna get on my hat, get back to Tennessee
Lord, where a country boy belongs
07blackdog
South Carolina Strong! Ol' Doug Gray had some pipes! Still does; a couple of steps down. Lol.
Steve Sidare
That Hammond B3 sound... Oh yeah.
Dale Kidd
Come on people!!!😎