Family
A Tale of Redemption and Kinship in Scotty Alexander's 'Family'
Lyrics
My sister was a stripper in Memphis
Scotty's sister worked as a stripper in Memphis.
She changed her name to Bobby Lee
She adopted the name Bobby Lee.
She's the kind of girl that likes a cold Beer for breakfast and for dinner just a bowl of weed
She enjoys beer for breakfast and weed for dinner.
She done a little time in prison
She served time in prison, possibly related to cocaine.
Because she liked the way cocaine smelled
Her imprisonment was linked to her attraction to the smell of cocaine.
Now she's got a nice trailer up in Northern California and I'm proud to say she's doing well
She now resides in a trailer in Northern California and is doing well.
So I won't go judging you
Scotty expresses a non-judgmental attitude towards others.
And you don't go judging me
Encourages others not to judge him either.
'Cause when there's a lot to forgive and a lot to love
Recognizes the need for forgiveness and love in complex situations.
You know that sounds like Family
Emphasizes that such situations resemble a family dynamic.
My mama was a half breed Cherokee
Scotty's mother had Cherokee heritage.
The meanest damn Okie around
Describes his mother as a tough Oklahoman.
She wanted me to be a star just a little to hard
She pushed him to be a star but was too demanding.
And went through every man in my home town
She had relationships with many men in Scotty's hometown.
In all of my memories about her
Reflects on memories of his mother doing wrong to others.
Lord she was always doing somebody wrong
Scotty acknowledges times he resembled his mother's behavior.
But there's times in my life I've been a lot like her
Expresses why he is singing about his mother in the song.
that's why I'm singing about her in this song
Links his actions to his mother's influence.
So I won't go judging you
Reiterates a non-judgmental stance towards others.
And you don't go judging me
Encourages reciprocation of non-judgment from others.
'Cause when there's a lot to forgive and a lot to love
Reemphasizes the importance of forgiveness and love.
You know that sounds like Family
Relates these themes to the concept of family.
Now my sister and my mama honey you and me
Includes his sister, mother, and himself in the shared experience.
All made mistakes like it not
Acknowledges mistakes made by all family members.
But at the end of the day when it's all said and done
Highlights the inevitability of mistakes in life.
You know your Family
Underscores the idea that family is crucial in the end.
Is all you got
States that family is all you have.
So I won't go judging you
Reiterates a non-judgmental attitude towards others.
And you don't go judging me
Encourages reciprocation of non-judgment from others.
'Cause when there's a lot to forgive and a lot to love
Reemphasizes the importance of forgiveness and love.
You know that sounds like Family
Relates these themes to the concept of family.
So I won't go judging you
Reiterates a non-judgmental stance towards others.
Oh and you don't go judging me
Encourages reciprocation of non-judgment from others.
When there's a lot to forgive and a lot to love
Reemphasizes the importance of forgiveness and love.
You know that sounds like Family
Relates these themes to the concept of family.
Yeah that sounds like Family
Final affirmation that forgiveness and love define a family.
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