[Verse 1] I left that red clay lane With a guitar and a grin Chased the Nashville sign Like it owed me something then Played the big rooms, paid my dues Kept my boots on that long night run But every mile got heavier When the cheering started feeling done [Pre-Chorus] Now the bus keeps rolling But my heart stays still And I hear your porch screen Clappin’ in the hill [Chorus] I want back to Kentucky Back where your name still fits me I need you more than the road More than the crowd that keeps me busy I want back to Kentucky Let the whole wide world go rust If you’ll take me in tonight I’ll trade the shine for us (Back to Kentucky) [Verse 2] You said, “Boy, I ain’t leavin’ For no bus and no backstage room” You watched me pack my pride Like it was gonna be my tomb I kept on asking, asking Till your silence taught me slow Now the miles look like a gamble And I finally lost the show [Pre-Chorus] All these hotel mirrors Don’t know who I am But your front-porch shadow Still remembers that man [Chorus] I want back to Kentucky Back where your name still fits me I need you more than the road More than the crowd that keeps me busy I want back to Kentucky Let the whole wide world go rust If you’ll take me in tonight I’ll trade the shine for us (Back to Kentucky) [Bridge] I’ve seen a thousand headlights And they all fade the same I’ve chased every last applause But I still whisper your name If home is where the hurt ends Then baby, I’m on my way I was rich in every city Still I’d rather be poor and stay [Chorus] I want back to Kentucky Back where your name still fits me I need you more than the road More than the crowd that keeps me busy I want back to Kentucky Let the whole wide world go BUST If you’ll take me in tonight I’ll trade the shine for us (Back to Kentucky)
