Released: 1995
John Michael Montgomery’s ‘Sold’ is a playful country tune that spins a tale of love at first sight, set in the unlikely location of an auction. The song uses the metaphor of an auction to describe the protagonist’s pursuit of love, with bidding symbolizing his efforts to win the woman’s heart.
The song starts off at the Grundy County Auction, a real-life auction that’s a staple in the Midwest. Our protagonist spots a woman he’s instantly smitten with. He’s cautious, but his heart overrules his mind, and he decides to ‘bid’ on her, essentially expressing his interest and intent to woo her.
‘Hey, pretty lady! Won’t you gimme a sign?’ This line is the protagonist’s way of asking the woman to show some interest in return. He’s willing to do anything to make her his, even promising to be at her ‘beck and call’.
The phrase ‘I’m goin’ once, goin’ twice, I’m sold’ is borrowed from the language of auctions, where items are sold to the highest bidder. Here, it signifies the protagonist’s decision to fully commit to pursuing the woman, likening his heart to an item up for bid.
The auctioneer is described as ‘goin’ ’bout a mile a minute’, painting a picture of the fast-paced, high-energy environment of an auction. This mirrors the protagonist’s racing heart and the adrenaline rush of new love.
The song ends on a happy note, with the protagonist ‘hauling her heart away’. This implies that his ‘bidding’ was successful, and he won the woman’s love. They look back on their meeting at the auction with fondness, adding a touch of humor to their love story.
