“Sleeping on the Blacktop” by Colter Wall
by SMF· Published · Updated
The lyrics of “Sleeping on the Blacktop” paint a picture of a hard-living, rambling lifestyle, filled with a mix of good times, questionable choices, and a healthy dose of freedom.
');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();“Sunshine beating on the good times
Moonlight raising from the grave”
The lines above hint at a life lived from day to night.
When Colter Wall proceeds to talk about a “string band playing worn out honky-tonks and pretty young thing goin dancing in the rain”, we get to know that there’s plenty of music, dancing, and general merriment going on.
“High heel lady spitting at the nickajack
Business man with a needle and a spoon
Coyote chewing on a cigarette
Pack o’ young boys going howlin’ at the moon”
These lines are giving us snapshots of different people living life on the edge, whether that’s a sassy lady causing trouble, a businessman dabbling in drugs, or a group of young guys letting loose.
The Chorus of “Sleeping on the Blacktop”
The chorus kicks in with “Hey darlin’! Sleeping on the blacktop” and then the following”
“Hey darlin’!
Running through the trees honey
Hey darlin’!
Leaving for the next town
Less’n my sense catches up with me”
This sounds like the singer is living a transient, fast-paced lifestyle, always on the move and often sleeping under the stars, until their “sense,” or perhaps conscience or wisdom, catches up with them.
');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();The remaining verses continue to weave a tale of life on the road, of crashes, of sin and wondering, of familiar faces and places, and the sweetness of corn liquor, all painted with the same brush of living life on your own terms, for better or worse.
In a nutshell, the song gives off serious free spirit, wanderlust vibes, with a side of risk-taking and even recklessness.
Facts for “Sleeping on the Blacktop”
“Sleeping on the Blacktop” is a song from Wall’s debut EP, “Imaginary Appalachia”. Both the song and EP were issued on June 2 of 2015.
This EP, which contains a total of seven tracks, was made available to the public through the record label, Young Mary’s Record Co.
Writing & Production
The Canadian singer is credited as the sole writer of this tune. And the production of the song was solely handled by Canadian singer and producer Jason Plumb.
Media Usage
This tune was used in 2016’s popular crime drama film “Hell or High Water”.
