The meaning of the song ‘Old Town Road’ is a metaphor for Lil Nas X trajectory towards happiness, prosperity, and success. The song gained massive popularity and garnered Lil Nas X 3 Grammy nominations. It also was featured in several TV shows, including Love Island, The Ranch, The Masked Singer, and The Proud Family.
Coming From Nothing and Becoming Something
In the song lyrics, the phrase “whip your Porsche” refers to his success without the typical hip-hop symbols of wealth and fame. Lil Nas X once revealed in an interview that even though he might not have had a lot at the time, he did have the ability and drive to make it. The titular road seen in the song represents the path to success. The phrases “can’t nobody tell me nothing”, and “can’t tell me nothing” is a message to anybody who has ever doubted or sought to disbelieve the 21-year-old vocalist. To his naysayers, Lil Nas X appears to be saying, “Hi, and bye!” Nothing can stop him from reaching the summit.
In the song’s second verse, the phrases,’ cheated on my baby’ and ‘you can go ask her’ sound like adulterous relationships, and enjoying life like it’s a movie is easy. But Lil Nas X is just fantasizing about being a rock star. He has yet to experience the reality of being a famous musician. Though the tractor has significantly advanced since the horse, he maintains his modesty. Lil Nas X flexes ever-so-slightly at the end of the second verse with the lyrics, “Cowboy hat from Gucci and Wrangler on my booty.”
Perseverance in the Face of Adversity
In contrast, Billy Ray Cyrus’s opening stanza is a massive flex on our lives. He brags, Riding down Rodeo in his Maserati sports car and Hat down cross town, living like a rock star as he describes his lavish lifestyle. A lot of flashy names and pricey items are mentioned. Similar to Lil Nas X, Billy explains that he rode his own route to success after facing adversity. Billy Ray says he is like a Marlboro Man, so he kicks right back and has no worries because he has been there; the reference alluding to the Marlboro Man, a stereotype of a laid-back cowboy and a cultural touchstone.
Billy Ray concludes his stanza by saying he wishes he could wheel back to the Old Town Road. He also states that he wants to ride until he cannot do it anymore. Here, Billy hints that he’s had enough of the limelight and may use a break from being a celebrity for a while. And now he’s letting Lil Nas X carry off where he left.
Lil Nas X revealed to the time that he had been feeling discouraged from pursuing a career in music at the period “Old Town Road” was written. During that time, he felt helpless and unable to make a decision. Nonetheless, he knew the song would become a successful symbol when he began working on it.
Lyrics
Yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road
I’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more
I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road
I’m gonna ride (Kio, Kio) ’til I can’t no more
I got the horses in the back
Horse tack is attached
Hat is matte black
Got the boots that’s black to match
Riding on a horse, ha
You can whip your Porsche
I been in the valley
You ain’t been up off the porch, now
Can’t nobody tell me nothing
You can’t tell me nothing
Can’t nobody tell me nothing
You can’t tell me nothing
Riding on a tractor
Lean all in my bladder
Cheated on my baby
You can go and ask her
My life is a movie
Bull riding and boobies
Cowboy hat from Gucci
Wrangler on my booty
Can’t nobody tell me nothing
You can’t tell me nothing
Can’t nobody tell me nothing
You can’t tell me nothing
Yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road
I’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more
I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road
I’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more
Hat down, cross-town, livin’ like a rockstar
Spent a lot of money on my brand-new guitar
Baby’s got a habit: diamond rings and Fendi sports bras
Ridin’ down Rodeo in my Maserati sports car
Got no stress, I’ve been through all that
I’m like a Marlboro Man so I kick on back
Wish I could roll on back to that old town road
I wanna ride ’til I can’t no more
Yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road
I’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more
I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road
I’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Atticus Ross / Trent Reznor / Montero Lamar Hill / Kiowa Roukema
Old Town Road lyrics © Sony/atv Songs Llc, Songs In The Key Of Mink, Form And Texture Inc., Songs Of Universal Inc.
Listeners of music from the 2010’s, might also appreciate the song Shallow by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper.
