Something To Be Proud Of

Album: You Do Your Thing (2004)
Charted: 41
Play Video
  • There's a story that my daddy tells religiously
    Like clockwork every time he sees an opening
    In a conversation about the way things used to be

    Well, I'd just roll my eyes and make a beeline for the door
    But I'd always end up starry-eyed, cross-legged on the floor
    Hanging on to every word
    Man, the things I heard

    It was harder times and longer days
    Five miles to school, uphill both ways
    We were cane-switched raised, and dirt-floor poor
    'Course that was back before the war

    Yeah, your uncle and I made quite a pair
    Flying F-15's through hostile air
    He went down but they missed me by a hair
    He'd always stop right there and say

    That's something to be proud of
    That's a life you can hang your hat on
    That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
    A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
    Like a small-town flag a-flyin'
    Or a newborn baby cryin'
    In the arms of the woman that you love
    That's something to be proud of

    Son graduatin' college, that was mama's dream
    But I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned 18
    'Cause when you gotta fast car you think you've got everything
    I learned quick those GTO's don't run on faith
    I ended up broken down in some town north of L.A.
    Working maximum hours for minimum wage

    Well, I fell in love, next thing I know
    The babies came, the car got sold
    I sure do miss that old hot rod
    But you sure save gas in them foreign jobs
    Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down
    If you're ashamed of how I turned out
    Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow
    Said, let me tell ya right now

    That's something to be proud of
    That's a life you can hang your hat on
    You don't need to make a million
    Just be thankful to be workin'
    If you're doing what you're able
    And putting food there on the table
    And providing for the family that you love
    That's something to be proud of

    And if all you ever really do is the best you can
    Well, you did it man

    That's something to be proud of
    That's a life you can hang your hat on
    That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
    A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
    Like a small-town flag a-flyin'
    Or a newborn baby cryin'
    In the arms of the woman that you love
    That's something to be proud of
    That's something to be proud of
    Yeah, that's something to be proud of
    That's something to be proud of
    Now that's something to be proud of Writer/s: Chris Wallin, Jeffrey Steele
    Publisher: 3 RING CIRCUS MUSIC LLC, Anthem Entertainment, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, TuneCore Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?