Willmon signed with Columbia Records in 2004. His self-titled debut album was released that year, and it produced four singles. The first of these was "Beer Man", which peaked at #30 on the country charts. Following it were "Dixie Rose Deluxe's" at #36, "Home Sweet Holiday Inn" at #49, and finally "The Good Life" at #38. A second album, A Little More Livin', followed in 2006. Although its lead-off single "On Again Tonight" became his highest chart entry at #27, the follow-up "So Am I" peaked at #59, and Willmon exited Columbia's roster.
Willmon signed with Compadre Records in 2007. His third album, Broken In, was released on February 26, 2008.[2] The album produced three singles in "There Is a God", the title track, and "Cold Beer and a Fishing Pole", though none of these entered the charts. In early 2008, he also made his acting debut in the film Palo Pinto Gold, a cowboy film also starring Roy Clark and Mel Tillis[2] He also had another chart success as a songwriter in early 2008, having co-written Montgomery Gentry's Number One hit "Back When I Knew It All". He also co-wrote a song entitled "Better Than This", recorded by Brad Paisley on his 2007 album, 5th Gear.
The Good Life
Trent Willmon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sure feels good to get 'er all done
Washed off the sweat, the hay and the dirt
Now it's time to have some fun
Go meet Amy at the Dixie Dog
Get a #3 and a coke float
Mack the drag, then later on
We'll head down to the cove
Back up the pickup, right up to the lake
Throw a blanket on the tailgate
Listen to the bullfrog serenade in the moonlight
In the truck bed dancin' slow
We'll sing along with the radio
Sippin' on grandma's homemade wine
Livin' the good life
There's a cottonwood tree with a limb hangin' over
We can do a cannonball off a rope swing
She can dry her clothes out by the fire
And I swear I won't peek
I'll be wishin' the night would last forever
As I'm lookin' into her doe eyes
Ride back home with her head on my shoulder
Can't wait 'till next time
We back up the pickup, right up to the lake
Throw a blanket on the tailgate
Listen to the bullfrog serenade in the moonlight
In the truck bed dancin' slow
We'll sing along with the radio
Sippin' on grandma's homemade wine
Livin' the good life
Back up the pickup, right up to the lake
Throw a blanket on the tailgate
Listen to the bullfrog serenade in the moonlight
In the truck bed dancin' slow
We'll sing along with the radio
Sippin' on grandma's homemade wine
Livin' the good life
Yeah, this is the good life
That's right
The lyrics of Trent Willmon's song The Good Life depict a simple life of hard work, relaxation and romance. The song's theme is centered on finding comfort in the simple things - in this case, meeting up with a loved one after a hard day's work to watch the sunset, share a meal and spend the night by the lake listening to the sound of nature. The song follows the singer's night out with Amy, starting at the Dixie Dog where they get some food and later on heading to the lake where they spread out a blanket on the truck's tailgate and listen to the sounds of the bullfrogs under the moonlight.
The imagery depicted in the verse is one of rural life, a longing for summer nights and moments of peace where time does not seem to budge. Thus, the song conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing for the good old days when life was less chaotic, less stressful and less fast-paced. This kind of life is one where contact with nature and simple human interactions bring joy, where listening to each other and being present in the moment is the good life.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun is settin' on a hard day's work
The day has been long and tiring, and it is now coming to an end with the sunset.
Sure feels good to get 'er all done
Completing all the work feels satisfying and provides a sense of accomplishment.
Washed off the sweat, the hay and the dirt
Taking a shower or cleaning oneself after working with perspiration, hay, and dust is refreshing.
Now it's time to have some fun
After a hard day's work, it is time to relax and enjoy life.
Go meet Amy at the Dixie Dog
The person is meeting their friend, Amy, at a place called Dixie Dog.
Get a #3 and a coke float
The person is ordering a meal and a drink at Dixie Dog using a specific menu number for convenience.
Mack the drag, then later on
The person is going for a leisurely drive now and has plans to do something else later on.
We'll head down to the cove
The destination of the person's leisurely drive is a cove.
Back up the pickup, right up to the lake
The person is driving the pickup truck and backing it up to the lake area.
Throw a blanket on the tailgate
The person is placing a blanket on the tailgate of the pickup truck to create a makeshift seating area.
Listen to the bullfrog serenade in the moonlight
The person and his friend are enjoying the nighttime ambiance featuring the sounds of bullfrogs in the nearby lake.
In the truck bed dancin' slow
The person and his friend are moving slowly to the music inside the bed of the pickup truck.
We'll sing along with the radio
The person and his friend are singing along to the music they are listening to from the radio.
Sippin' on grandma's homemade wine
The person and his friend are enjoying wine made by their grandma while having fun.
Livin' the good life
The person is feeling content and satisfied while enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
There's a cottonwood tree with a limb hangin' over
The person is describing a specific feature of the location of their outing, adding atmosphere to the scene.
We can do a cannonball off a rope swing
The person and his friend are considering doing a classic summer activity of jumping into water off a rope swing.
She can dry her clothes out by the fire
The person's friend is planning to dry her clothes after getting wet by the fire.
And I swear I won't peek
The person promises to look away while his friend changes her clothes.
I'll be wishin' the night would last forever
The person is enjoying himself so much that he wishes the pleasant evening would never end.
As I'm lookin' into her doe eyes
The person is gazing into his friend's eyes, which he describes as doe-like, expressing a feeling of fondness.
Ride back home with her head on my shoulder
The person and his friend are driving back home with the friend leaning her head on his shoulder, indicating a close relationship.
Can't wait 'till next time
The person is excited to repeat this enjoyable experience in the future.
This is the good life
The person is acknowledging that living simply and enjoying small pleasures like this is what makes for a fulfilling life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BOBBY PINSON, TRENT WILLMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind