Selma Drye

Album: The Woman I Am (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Kellie Pickler pays tribute to her great-grandmother on this song. "She was a spitfire," Pickler recalled. "She lived in this little trailer in front of [my grandparents' house] for over 40 years. She never drove a car, never had a driver's license - that was the devil. She was just a strong woman and that song is really about her and her generation of women, and how they were raised."
  • Pickler penned this great-grandma love letter with Billy Montana and Phillip Lammonds. She told Billboard magazine that she feels the lyrics captured the essence of who Granny Selma was. "I was just describing her," she said. "She lived in front of us, and she was a pistol – your stereotypical hillbilly granny. I was so intrigued by her. She had a pistol and an apron, and kept a can of snuff in her apron. She never had a drivers license or had a car – it was the devil. She never put her money in the bank – it was the devil. She was very old fashioned and stuck in her ways. In some ways, it was beautiful. She never conformed to the ways of the world. She kept all of her money in canning jars, washed her clothes in the sink and hung them up on the line. She was very much old school, and I think that song represents the women of her generation."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."