When it comes to the meaning of lyrics, country music usually has some pretty straightforward ones. There are some degrees to that, as you have some country songs that are overly simple and others that are a bit more ambiguous yet still comprehensible on a deeper level. In other words, country music doesn’t often uphold the tradition of nonsensical lyrics. However, every so often it does. That being said, no matter how many times we listen, we cannot make out the meaning of these three country songs.
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“Save A Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” by Big & Rich
Alright, the title and the chorus of this song have a fairly overt and suggestive sexual meaning; that is no mystery. However, what story is this song telling, exactly? Is there one? Seemingly, yes, as it is about a red-blooded American man painting the town red. Though it kind of jumps all over the place.
We are probably looking far too deeply into this song, as its main appeal is entertainment and memorability. After all, how can one forget such a title and chorus? However, in terms of country songs, it is certainly one of the more confusing, but Big & Rich seemingly didn’t do that intentionally.
“You Can’t Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd” by Roger Miller
The lyrics of Roger Miller‘s “You Can’t Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd” just might be the most absurd in the history of the genre. However, that was seemingly Miller’s aim, and to us, he certainly hit the target right on the dot. As we mentioned previously, country music hasn’t and still doesn’t typically lean towards ambiguous lyrics such as the ones you’d see in psychedelic and 1960s folk music. Although this 1965 country single certainly leaned into the tradition.
Miller’s song is about choosing a positive mindset in the light of impossible circumstances; that is our reading, at least. Although given the humorous and ambiguous nature of the lyrics, it’s hard to say that is the meaning for certain. So, why don’t you give it a listen and report back?
“Snake Farm” by Ray Wylie Hubbard
Ray Wylie Hubbard is a legend in the Texas Americana/country scene; hence, it is no surprise that he took quite an ambitious creative leap with his song “Snake Farm”. First and foremost, this song is hilarious for two reasons. First off, Hubbard’s delivery is hysterical. Secondly, the arbitrary backdrop just lends itself to imagining the happenings of the song in a comedic fashion.
In short, this song is about a woman named Ramona who works at a snake farm. Though, of course, we have to ask ourselves: is it just about a woman who works at a snake farm, or is it a metaphor for something else? We don’t know, and that is exactly why we put it on this list.
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