Behind the Meaning of Dasha’s Viral Hit, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)”

One of the most unlikely country hits in 2024 came from a mononymous artist named Dasha. Prior to releasing her twangy “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” Dasha primarily made pop music. Her first foray into this new genre proved to be successful, with “Austin” earning her praise from the pop world and country scene alike. Uncover the story behind this viral hit, below.

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Behind the Meaning of Dasha’s Viral Hit, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)”

We had a plan, move out of this town, baby
West to the sand, it’s all we talked about lately
I’d pack the car, bring your guitar and Jane for smokin’
First thing at dawn, you’d cue the songs and we’d get goin’

“Austin’ was written out of a lot of rage,” Dasha recently said of her hit. That fact is easy to understand when listening to this track. The singer doesn’t shy away from airing her bitterness about an ex. Though the specific details of the song might be fabricated (she had never been to Austin when she wrote this track), “the emotions that drove the story were real,” according to Dasha.

Like many beloved country tracks, Dasha takes a narrative angle on this song. She orients the listener to her story of heartbreak. From the opening verse, we learn that her and her former love interest had plans–plans that would never come to fruition.

But you weren’t home, waited on the porch for ya
Sat there alone, all throughout the morn ’til I
Got a hunch down in the gut and snuck around the back
Empty cans, and I’ll be damned, your shit was never packed

As the story goes, her ex never intended on following through with his promises. Though Dasha is a relatively new artist, her story about a painful breakup is a familiar face in the country scene.

When asked why she feels this song has become so popular, and helped to grow her star in the country community, Dasha said she feels it calls to mind the era of country that fostered a community in honky tonks and dance clubs.

“I remember feeling really nervous that it would be cringey,” Dasha said in the same interview. “I think the reason it worked so well is because it came from such a fun place and I feel like there’s this gap in community on TikTok right now, so people are down to connect any way they can. When you go to the club and you know the dance, you can participate in the community.”

Check out this breakout country hit, below.

Did your boots stop workin’?
Did your truck break down?
Did you burn through money?
Did your ex find out?

Where there’s a will, then there’s a way
And I’m damn sure you lost it
Didn’t even say goodbye
Just wish I knew what caused it

(Photo by Dana Jacobs/FilmMagic)