Hillbilly Highway

Steve Earle

About Hillbilly Highway

"Hillbilly Highway" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Steve Earle. It was released in March 1986 as the first single from the album Guitar Town. The song reached #37 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song was written by Earle and Jimbeau Hinson.


Year:
1986
3:36
136 

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My granddaddy was a miner, but he finally saw the light 
He didn't have much, just a beat-up truck and a dream about a better life 
Grand mama cried when she waved goodbye, never heard such a lonesome sound 
Pretty soon the dirt road turned into blacktop, Detroit City bound 
Down that hillbilly highway 
On that hillbilly highway 
That old hillbilly highway 
Goes on and on 

Now he worked and saved his money so that one day he might send 
My old man off to college, to use his brains and not his hands 
Grand mama cried when she waved goodbye, never heard such a lonesome sound 
But daddy had himself a good job in Houston, one more rollin' down 

that old hillbilly highway 
That old hillbilly highway 
That old hillbilly highway 
Goes on and on 
On and on, on and on 
Here it goes

Granddaddy rolled over in his grave the day that I quit school 
I just sat around the house playin' my guitar, Daddy said I was a fool 
My mama cried when I said goodbye, I never heard such a lonesome sound 
Now I'm standin' on this highway and if you're going my way 
You know where I'm bound

Bound that hillbilly highway 
On that hillbilly highway 
That old hillbilly highway 
Goes on and on 
Hmm, yeah that's the road I'm on it

Hillbilly highway 
Hillbilly highway

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Steve Earle

Steve Earle ( /ˈɜrl/; born Stephen Fain Earle on January 17, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, author and actor. Earle grew up near San Antonio, Texas, and began learning the guitar at age 11. more »

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Written by: JIMBEAU HINSON, STEVE EARLE

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Album Classification
"Hillbilly Highway" is a track from the album "Guitar Town", which is Steve Earle's debut studio album.
Song Release
The song was released in March 1986.
Genre Labeling
"Hillbilly Highway" is categorized as a country song, which also incorporates elements of rock-and-roll.
Lyric Theme
The song predominantly features lyrics about the struggles and experiences the singer's grandparents have faced living in rural areas.
Album Reception
"Guitar Town", the album featuring "Hillbilly Highway", is acclaimed and was listed as one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Album Production
"Guitar Town" was produced by Emory Gordy Jr. and Tony Brown, who were both prominent producers in the 1980s country music industry.
Chart Performance
"Guitar Town" peaked at number #1 on the Billboard Country album charts.
Notable Performances
Steve Earle regularly performs "Hillbilly Highway" on his tour concerts showcasing his storytelling abilities through the song.
Songwriting
Like most of his songs, Steve Earle is credited as the sole songwriter of "Hillbilly Highway".
Music Development
Steve Earle, coming from a background of playing in rock bands, incorporates rock elements into his country music, and "Hillbilly Highway" is no exception.
Earle's Storytelling
Alluded from its lyrics, "Hillbilly Highway" effectively demonstrates Earle's ability to narrate multi-generational stories within a single song.
Multiple Versions
There are several versions of "Hillbilly Highway", including a live version released on Steve Earle's album "Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator".
Socio-Cultural Themes
The song discusses the migration of poor, working-class Americans from the south to the north in search of better job opportunities, thus reflecting an important socio-economic issue.

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