Ain't Going To Heaven

Album: American Music (2015)

Songfacts®:

  • Gangstagrass banjo player and vocalist Dan Whitener calls this song a "posse track," meaning it was written as a collective song with the rest of Gangstagrass. Whitener came up with the basic idea and skeleton of the song and is credited as songwriter, but everyone contributed lyrics and ideas to the final product.
  • The album American Music has 14 tracks with different MCs rapping on 13 of them, and then all the MCs coming together for "Ain't Goin' To Heaven When I Die." Whitener also raps on this album, which is unusual for him. He was encouraged to do it by the rest of the band.
  • "Ain't Goin' to Heaven When I Die" is an outlaw song. Fitting in with bluegrass and hip-hop tradition, it's all meant in good fun. Each MC takes turns talking about "smoking spliffs" in the apocalypse, shooting dice, drinking Jack, etc.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.