When producer Bruce Robison challenged him to “write some more songs for the album,” Texas troubadour Dallas Burrow came back with “American Dream,” a pointed reflection on divorce and small-town living. “Although it’s very personal and autobiographical, I feel like it’s a story that on some level a lot of people could relate to,” he says.
Videos by American Songwriter
“This story is one of humble beginnings, the growing pains of youth in middle class America and ultimately the journey to find greater meaning and satisfaction in a simple life well lived,” Burrow tells American Songwriter. “If people can relate to the idea of overcoming whatever trials and tribulations that life has dealt them and ultimately finding love and happiness in the new life that they have created, that would be what I hope people get from this song.”
Grew up in a small town, never really had much / Looking back now, never knew how lucky I was, he sings with a charred smoky tenor. To have folks that love me / Roof over my head / Food on the table / My own room with a bed.
Such a simple way of life wasn’t without its stresses. When my parents divorced, everything changed / I was playing sports and making good grades, he sings, a bit wistful. I started playing my guitar, chasing after the girls / Thinkin’ I could be a star, thinkin’ I could change the world.
On the song, Burrow is joined by an impressive list of musicians, including Sterling Finlay (stand-up bass), Larry Chaney (electric guitar), Chad Pope (slide guitar), Kullen Fox (Hammond B3), and Josh Blue (percussion, drums). Burrow also plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, and harmonica.
Hailing from New Braunfels, Texas, Burrow─whose grandmother taught him the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on piano─draws upon such influences as Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Leon Russell, and Townes Van Zandt, who Burrow’s father claims as a “blood brother,” along with Richard Dobson and John Lomax III. In honoring Texas songwriting tradition, Burrow pulls from various strains of Americana, country, blues, folk, and even a dash of rock ‘n roll in his work.
“I most enjoy the art of storytelling, whether it be my own stories, others’ stories, those of the world in general, or ones that I invent,” he reflects on his love of songwriting. “I find satisfaction in developing stories as a vehicle to find resolution to the problems that we face and plant a seed of hope for a better future.”
“American Dream” samples Burrow’s forthcoming self-titled sophomore record, out July 23, as the follow up to his 2019 debut, Southern Wind. With the release, the singer-songwriter hopes “to continue to travel, play, write, record, and repeat,” he says, “to experience more life, learn more about the world and continue to hone my craft. I hope to connect with more audiences and continue to connect with people and share my stories.”
As far as songwriting advice for young, curious songwriters hitting the scene now, he advises: “Go out and live life to the fullest, and come back and tell your stories,” he says. “Figure out what makes life worth living and gives you the greatest sense of purpose and meaning and tell us about that. Seek out universal truths and hold them out in your hand for the world to see.”
