Music City USA
Paying Dues in Music City: Charley Crockett's Soulful Journey
Lyrics
I think you think that I got lucky
The speaker believes that someone else perceives their success as luck.
I see it written on your face
The belief of luck is evident in the expression on the other person's face.
You say you'd like to fill my shoes
The other person expresses a desire to take the speaker's place or succeed in their position.
How easily you take my place
They assume it would be easy to replace the speaker.
But if you spare me just a moment
The speaker requests a moment before a decision is made.
Before you go to pick and choose
Before making a choice or judgment, the speaker asks for a brief pause.
I think I'll ask you just one question
The speaker plans to ask a critical question to the other person.
How would you like to pay my dues?
The question posed challenges the other person to experience the speaker's hardships or struggles.
I shouldn't have come here in the first place
The speaker regrets coming to a place where they feel unwelcome.
'Cause folks in here don't like my kind
The speaker feels they don't belong or aren't accepted by the people in that place.
I hear they've got a lot of reasons
Rumors or prejudices against the speaker's "kind" exist among the locals.
I think I see them on their signs
The speaker notices indications of discrimination or bias through signs or symbols.
They've got a lot to say in Music City USA
There's a lot of vocalized opinions or criticisms in Music City, USA.
I could draw a line from Texas
The speaker can trace a journey from Texas to various places marked on a map.
To any place that's on a map
They can travel extensively across different states.
I might be in California
The speaker might be in California at one point and quickly move to Georgia.
Then go to Georgia, be right back
They can move back and forth between states or regions.
Up and down the Mississippi
Travelling along the Mississippi River and the Tennessee River, possibly experiencing different cultures.
Tennessee River past the Shoals
Passing by the historical musical location of Muscle Shoals in Alabama.
There underneath the lights of Broadway
Despite being in a prominent area of Nashville (Broadway), the speaker feels isolated or disconnected.
I'm in the alley with the ghosts
The speaker feels a sense of haunting or being surrounded by memories of the past in Nashville.
I shouldn't have come here in the first place
Reiteration of regret for coming to a place where the speaker feels unwelcome.
'Cause folks in here don't like my kind
Reiteration of not fitting in or being disliked by the locals.
I hear they've got a lot of reasons
Reiteration of rumors or biases against the speaker's "kind" in that place.
I think I see them on their signs
Reiteration of noticing signs or indications of discrimination or bias.
They've got a lot to say in Music City USA
Reiteration of the prevalence of opinions or criticisms in Music City, USA.
In Music City USA
Reiteration of the location being Music City, USA.
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