Back When He Was Hungry
The Journey from Hunger to Fame: A Country Music Tale
Lyrics
He came to town with a lot of dreams swapped BMG for KFC
He entered town with dreams, exchanging a music company (BMG) for a fast-food job at KFC.
And four strings on his Gibson and now he's frying chicken
Started with four strings on his Gibson guitar, but now works frying chicken.
He swore someday the world of country music but he held on to his faded dreams
Aspired to conquer the country music world, but clung to faded dreams.
Would be his'n his jeans and cowboy hat
Dreamed of owning the world of country music, symbolized by jeans and cowboy hat.
He drove a beat up Chevy truck he still leans in that microphone
Used to drive a worn-out Chevy truck and still leans into the microphone while singing.
And he didn't have no money says you want some fries with that
Had little money, offered fries with chicken, portraying his financial struggles.
But he was such a god ole boy
Despite challenges, he remained a good old boy.
Chorus: The last time that I saw him
Chorus: Describes the last encounter with him when he was hungry.
Back when he was hungry he was singin' down at Tootsie's
Back in his hungry days, he performed at Tootsie's and struggled to make a name.
He wrote some songs and walked the streets a big tattoo on both his arms
Wrote songs, roamed the streets, displaying dedication with tattoos and earrings.
Beggin' folks to listen and his earring was a beauty
Despite hardships, he begged people to listen to his music.
Sometimes he crawled just like a snake he said I'm goin' rock'n roll
Expressed determination to pursue rock'n roll even without a platform.
Without a pit to hiss in those guys make all the money
Commented on the disparity in earnings between rock and country musicians.
He looked like Garth and sang like Hank from now on you can call me
Resembled Garth Brooks, sang like Hank Williams, adopted a new stage name.
And everybody loved him the Artist Formerly Known As Hungry
Enjoyed popularity as "The Artist Formerly Known As Hungry."
He swore he'd never change a thing back when he was hungry
Promised not to change anything when he was hungry, emphasizing his past struggles.
Back when BMI and CMA were only letters
Recalled a time when BMI and CMA were mere letters, highlighting simplicity.
And R&R was what you took to get to feeling better
Referenced a time when "R&R" meant rest and recuperation, not a chart.
And Billboard was a road sign not a chart that came on Monday
Billboard was just a road sign, not a music chart, underscoring simpler times.
Life was oh so simple back then back when he was hungry
Life was simpler when he was hungry, contrasting with the complexities of success.
And then one day he wrote a song that got someone's attention
He attracted attention with a song, leading to connections in the music industry.
The A&R at BMG got J-O-E to listen
A&R at BMG (Joe) persuaded others (James and Don) to recognize his talent.
Then Joe called James and James called Don
Networking led to positive reviews, creating expectations for future success.
Don called Mrs Hilley and Oermann wrote he's gonna be
Contacts believed he would become a significant hillbilly artist.
The next big hot hillbilly well his record went to Number One
His record reached Number One, signifying a breakthrough in his career.
And the good ole boy went crazy he hired a band then fired a band
Success led to erratic decisions, hiring and firing bands as he toured.
He toured and then got lazy suddenly he knew it all
Becoming complacent and arrogant, thinking he knew everything.
The rest of us were dummies he scarcely could remember
Lost touch with the struggles of others, contrasting with his hungry days.
Back when he was hungry
Reflects on the contrast between his past hunger and current success.
Well he married and then he got divorced and met this cute young honey
Marriage, divorce, and a relationship with someone interested in his wealth.
He thought she craved his body but she only craved his money
His spouse exploited him financially, leaving him in a vulnerable state.
She cleaned out his bank account then ran off with his drummer
She took his money and left with his drummer, reminiscent of past struggles.
Left him where he started from back when he was hungry
Returned to a situation similar to his hungry days after losing his deal.
Well he lost his deal and life got real and he had to give up pickin'
Facing the harsh reality of losing his record deal and having to give up music.
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