The Chief has never been one to mince words.
No matter the subject, Eric Church will tell it how it is, and phrase it so well that it’s hard to argue against. He’s not afraid to mix it up, and even get a little controversial, always in the name of truth.
This isn’t just in statements around the political or social landscape, but right in the middle of his songs as well.
Fresh off the announcement of his upcoming 2021 area tour, The Gather Again Tour, let’s take a look at five of Eric’s boldest lyrical statements.
“Before She Does”
This whole song is pretty much a list of things he believes in, and while some are pretty straight forward (“I believe that dogs are better than cats” like duh) he certainly puts his true thoughts out there as well…
“I believe in love; I believe in peace
But I don’t believe we’ll ever see it
In that Middle East”
“The taxman and the Devil share the same address”
“There’s absolutely, positively
No doubt in my mind
That OJ did it; Lee Harvey didn’t”
“Love Your Love The Most”
Not exactly a bold take here, but certainly one worth mentioning. I remember hearing this for the first time and being appalled. Fries are made for ketchup! But I gave it a try and I’m now a converted man…
“(I love) mustard on my fries”
“Stick That In Your Country Song”
This whole song is a statement to the fluffy subjects of most modern country songs. Sing about something real is the takeaway from this one, and woah boy does it kick like a fucking mule…
“Take me on up to Detroit city
Jails are full, the factories empty
Mommas crying, young boys dying
Under that red white and blue still flying.”
“Drop me off in Baltimore
Where every other window’s got a plywood board
Where dreams become drugs and guns
The only way out is to shoot or run.”
“Gimme one about the teacher who’s
Trying to change a life or two
She’ll be rocking out all night with you
Tomorrow she’ll back in a red brick school
Where kids are climbing off the walls
It’s scary walking down the halls
She’s underpaid, she’s overworked
Come on man, shout one out to her.”
“Lotta Boot Left To Fill”
I’ve already gone into detail on this one…
In a world of Tik Tok country, it’s good to know The Chief is on our side.
“Get ups, Gimics
One hit wonders that don’t stick
Pretty boys actin’ tough
Boy bands, give it up
And if it looks good on TV
It’ll look good on a CD
Shape it up, trim it down
Who gives a damn about how it sounds?”
“You say you’re the real deal
But you play what, nobody feels
You sing about Johnny Cash
The man in black would have whipped your ass!”
“That’s Damn Rock and Roll”
Going after the establishment? Check. Calling out the typical rockstar checklist? Yep. Putting it together in a hell of a rock song? You betcha. He really lays it out there with this one, which happens to be the song that made me understand Eric Church, who he is as an artist.
A true carrier of the Country Music rebel label.
“It ain’t a needle in a vein
It ain’t backstage sex
It ain’t lines of cocaine on a private jet
It ain’t havin’ a posse full of hangers on following you around
It ain’t long hair, tattoos, playin’ too loud, (No)
It ain’t a middle finger on a t-shirt, the establishments tryin’ to sell
It’s a guy with the balls who told the establishment to go to hell
It ain’t about the money you make, when a record gets sold
It’s about doin’ it for nothin’, ’cause it lives in your soul
it’s a rock through a window
It’s a ride in the street
It’s a rebel revolution
It’s fightin’ for peace
Burn baby burn
It’s a brick in the wall
It’s the first one to stand
And the last one to fall
It’s a hip shaking devil on the stage in Tupelo
It’s doing what ya want instead of doin’ what your told
It’s a preacher burnin records telling folks they oughta pray
‘Cause the shepherd bought a Gibson and lead the flock astray”
