This was the title track to Will’s first cassette, released while he was still in high school, an anthem of youthful bravado born of West Texas swagger. He wore it well back then.
You can definitely hear echoes of the 80s in this song (yuppies, discos), along with Will’s pride in his West Texas lifestyle. Will discarded this song and many early songs like a snake sheds its skin to grow and thrive.
By the time he recorded his second album, Kicking Up Dust, he had changed his tune, so to speak. Songs like “Cost of Living” confronted the reality that choosing a life of music had its price — but he was willing to pay.
Well, I chew Levi Garrett,
I wear Levi jeans.
And if you hang out in them discos,
You won’t know what I mean.
Got my shirt sleeves rolled up,
Got my hair cut above my ears.
Mister, you might drink margaritas,
For me, it’s a cold Coors beer.
I like drinking, dancing and a-doing things
City folks don’t do.
I got a red neck, a red bandana,
And a Remington rifle, too.
Yes, I like pickin’, poker, & pick-up trucks,
And pushing that pedal to the floor —
And if you don’t like the way I live,
Well, I’ll help you find the door.
Yeah, you in your yuppie Calvin Kleins
Know just where it’s at.
Me, I’ll just wear my Justin boots
And my (…) Stetson hat.
Yes, and you may drive a Mercedes,
I’ll take an old Chevrolet.
Yours was made in Germany —
Mine was made in the USA!
I like drinking, dancing and a-doing things
City folks don’t do.
I got a red neck, a red bandana,
And a Remington rifle, too.
Yes, I like pickin’, poker, & pick-up trucks,
And pushing that pedal to the floor —
And if you don’t like the way I live,
Well, I’ll help you find the door.
Repeat
Buller's back porch 