Josh Abbott Band just released a new song called "Texas Women, Tennessee Whiskey." And at first blush, the band is pushing their sonic boundaries even further.
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The rollicking tune employs an old-school rock n' roll feel. It starts with a bit of subdued electric piano. Then, a fiddle line. Before long, bass and drums ultimately introduce the horn section. The full big band vibe is a first for Abbott and company.
"I can quit dipping that dip," Abbott sings. "Put it down in nothing flat. I can stop fishing them fish. No, I ain't hooked on stuff like that."
But take a few guesses as to what he is hooked on. "Texas women and Tennessee whiskey — the only two things guaranteed to get me," he sings in the chorus. It's got a cool vibe and a fun cadence. Most of all, it's something you wouldn't expect from a Texas country act.
At the same time, the new tune has roots in music much older than Texas country. Think Jerry Lee Lewis vibes, with a little Jerry Jeff Walker thrown in. (Don't worry, the banjo and fiddle are there).
Horns definitely have country artists' hearts lately. From Lady Antebellum's "You Look Good" to Whiskey Myers' "Lightning Bugs And Rain," horn sections make country music cooler, it seems.
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Abbott wrote the song with Josh Hoge and Michael Haney. "It was Michael's idea for the song, but I didn't want to write another Texas song," Abbott tells Rolling Stone Country. "I think the horns are a game changer on this song. They take it from upbeat and groovy to fun and danceable. I see this being a huge cornerstone in our live shows in upcoming years."
That could be very cool, but they better start calling some local marching bands now.
Horns and strings appear more than once on the upcoming album Until My Voice Goes Out, too. Since 2015's Front Row Seat concept album, Josh Abbott Band hasn't shied away from exploring new sounds. So don't expect the same thing.
"Texas Women, Tennessee Whiskey" Lyrics
I can quit dipping that dip
Yeah put it down in nothing flat
I can stop fishing them fish
No I ain't hooked on stuff like that
I don't need to lay back on some chilled out beach
When I think about life all a man really needs is
Texas women and Tennessee whiskey
The only two things guaranteed to get me
I'm intoxicated, I'm devoted
I'm addicted, damn I want 'em
Can't get enough, heaven help me
Texas women and Tennessee whiskey
Up in my head, down in me veins
Once you turn on, you don't want to turn 'em off
They get you high, high, high
I keep one in my arms and one on the rocks
When one does you wrong, the other does you right
There ain't nothing about both of 'em I don't like
Texas women and Tennessee whiskey
The only two things guaranteed to get me
I'm intoxicated, I'm devoted
I'm addicted, damn I want 'em
Can't get enough, heaven help me
Texas women and Tennessee whiskey
Well the smooth ones keep you coming back for more
But the rough ones man they leave you with your ass on the floor
Texas women and Tennessee whiskey
The only two things guaranteed to get me
I'm intoxicated, I'm devoted
I'm addicted, damn I want 'em
Can't get enough, heaven help me
Texas women and Tennessee whiskey
