Story Behind The Song
I wrote this song after looking back on my childhood, and all of the time I spent thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up, and comparing that to what I have actually become, and continue to become. The first verse was built based on a vision in my head of the class trouble maker being hauled off to the principal's office by his ear after drawing pictures of his future self as a "less savory" character.
The song really came together for me when I finished the tag on the end. This song has become an instant crowd-favorite at my shows, and seems to catch on well with listeners.
Song Description
When I Grow Up is a hell raiser's love letter to his life story. It chronicles his experiences from childhood, through adolescence as "a different breed," and ends with homage being paid to the country music outlaw heroes that wrote the script for his behavior.
Song Length |
3:33 |
Genre |
Country - General |
Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
Mood |
Sociable |
Subject |
Party, Musician |
Similar Artists |
Alabama, Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band |
Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
I sat at my desk
with a crayon in my hand
and a great big grin on my face.
We were all drawing pictures
of the people that we
wanted to be someday.
Danny drew a boxer, Molly drew a doctor,
Jason drew a quarterback.
I drew a man with a mic in his hand,
and a bottle of Jim Beam Black.
I said "When I grow up,
I wanna be an outlaw.
Pickin guitar in a nowhere bar
like something you ain't never saw.
Raisin some hell,
on my way to #1.
Yeah, I wanna be an outlaw,
when I grow up.
10 years later,
tearin up the road,
shakin up that sleepy little town.
Hank Jr. blastin through my stereo ,
pushin that pedal down.
the police they stopped me,
when they finally caught me.
they cuffed my wrists so tight.
Read me my rights,
then they looked in my eyes.
Said what you gonna do with your life... (chorus)
Yeah, take this job and shove it man,
I just wanna play in an outlaw band.
Whiskey river, mama tried,
and a country boy he can survive.
Big John Cash he walked the line,
I cut my teeth on Mama tried.
He stopped lovin' her today,
and I don't think Hank done it this way.