Released: 2013
‘How Country Feels’ by Randy Houser is a catchy country tune that invites city folks to experience the laid-back and authentic country lifestyle. The song is a celebration of the simple pleasures of rural life, from barefoot walks by the river to watching the sunset from a pickup truck.
The opening lines, ‘You were raised on an asphalt farm / Ain’t never heard a rooster crow’ are a nod to city dwellers who have grown up in concrete jungles, far removed from the rustic charm of the countryside. The term ‘asphalt farm’ is a clever play on words, contrasting the urban environment with the natural farmland of the country.
The chorus, ‘Let your hair down, hair down / Get you some of this laid on back / Kick your shoes off, kick ’em off / Get you some of this slow down fast’ is a call to relax and embrace the slower pace of country life. ‘Laid on back’ is a common country phrase meaning to relax, while ‘slow down fast’ is an interesting juxtaposition that emphasizes the need to quickly adapt to a more leisurely pace.
In the verse, ‘You ever watch the sun go down / From the bed of a pickup truck / Ever been so into somebody / You’re still lying there when it comes back up’, Houser paints a romantic picture of country life. Watching the sunset and sunrise from a pickup truck is a quintessential country experience, symbolizing a deep connection with nature and each other.
‘I’ll take you up and down these hollers and hills’ refers to exploring the rural landscape, which is often characterized by hilly terrain and hollows (or ‘hollers’ in country dialect). It’s about experiencing the beauty and simplicity of country life firsthand.
In conclusion, ‘How Country Feels’ is a heartfelt ode to the country lifestyle, highlighting its simplicity, beauty, and the deep connections it fosters. It’s an invitation to step out of the fast-paced city life and into the comforting arms of the country.
