Fence Post

Now this is a true story, for the most part

That occurred on the top floor

Of this bigwig record executive's office in Nashville, Tennessee

Now understand, I'm not poking any fun or disrespecting anybody

God knows I love country music with all my heart and soul

And I love the Grand Ole Opry

But I do have a problem with someone

Who can't even play a D chord on a guitar

Telling someone with a dream that they won't get far

So this song is dedicated to all those underdogs

Like me out there, runnin' around

Don't get discouraged if you have a dream

Don't be afraid to chase it down

This is how it goes

He said, "Son, don't get offended by what I'm about to say

I can see you have a passion

For the songs you write and play

But you lack what we all call commercial appeal

And you just don't have what it takes

To make it here in Nashville"

Ouch

Well, my heart felt like a train wreck

But I wore a smile on my face

I said, "Thank you for your time, sir"

Put my guitar back in its case

Our little conversation was like a revelation

Redirecting my dreams

'Cause God knows I'd never sell my soul to rock and roll

Or rap or wear those tight skinny jeans

'Cause you know I'd rather sing my own songs

Than be a puppet on a string

I'll wear what I want to wear

I'm gonna sing what I wanna sing

Heaven knows all I need

Is my faith, my fans, my friends, and my family

Besides, I'd rather be an old fence post in Texas

Than the king of Tennessee

So I loaded up my ol' pickup truck

And I drove back home to Amarillo

Got a gig off old route 66

At this ballroom called The Armadillo

And for the first thousand shows or so

Not a soul showed up

I thought about quitting every other day

But I just kept on kicking that cup

Yeah, I kept kicking that can, surrounded by

Blood, sweat, and beers

And wouldn't you know, I became an overnight sensation

In just over ten years

And now I'm packing out all the dance halls

And the rodeos every night

I got a pretty wife, a ranch, a band, a bus, a boat

I'd say I'm doing alright

And you know I'd rather sing my own songs

Than be a puppet on a string

I'll wear what I want to wear

I'm gonna sing what I wanna sing

Heaven knows all I need

Is my faith, my fans, my friends, and my family

Besides, I'd rather be an old fence post in Texas

Than the king of Tennessee

Oh, how 'bout a little front porch picking, boys?

Well, wouldn't you know, that ol' record man

Showed up one night at this honky-tonking bar

After my show, he said

"Son, I believe you might be the next big country star"

He said, "We like how you keep it raw

We like how you're keeping it real

And I think you may just have what we all like to call

Commercial appeal"

Huh, ain't that something?

Well, sir

I'd rather sing my own songs

Than be a puppet on a string

I'll wear what I want to wear

And I'm gonna sing what I wanna sing

Heaven knows all I need

Is my faith, my fans, my friends, and my family

Besides, I'd rather be an old fence post in Texas

Than the king of Tennessee

God bless Tennessee

But I'd rather be just an old fence post in Texas

Than sell my soul to rock and roll

Or rap or wear those tight-fitting, tight skinny jeans