Released: 2022
Riley Green’s ‘Hell Of A Way To Go’ is a heartfelt country song that explores themes of mortality, father-son bonding, and the ideal way to spend one’s final moments. It’s a poignant reflection on life, death, and the things that make life worth living.
The song starts with a father and son fishing by the river, a classic country pastime. They’re ‘beatin’ them banks,’ which is country speak for fishing along the riverbanks. The father shares his idea of a perfect day, which includes fishing, watching football, and spending time with loved ones.
The chorus then echoes these sentiments, expressing the singer’s desire to spend his last moments doing what he loves. The ‘fifty-yard line’ refers to a prime seat at a football game, specifically an Alabama versus Tennessee match, showcasing the singer’s love for his home team.
The song takes a somber turn as the singer reflects on the death of his father. He wasn’t fishing when he died, but the singer imagines him in heaven, doing all the things he loved. The phrase ‘beat the hell out of Tennessee’ is a colloquial way of saying Alabama won the game convincingly.
In the end, the song is a celebration of life and the simple pleasures that make it worthwhile. The ‘hell of a way to go’ is a testament to living life to the fullest, even in the face of mortality. It’s a poignant reminder to appreciate the little things and to spend our time doing what we love with the people we care about.
