Don Williams – Good Ole Boys Like Me

“Good Ole Boys Like Me”, a song written by Bob McDill, was recorded by Don Williams for the MCA label, in August 1979, at Sound Emporium, 3100 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN. In the same recording session the song, “Love me over again” was also recorded. Don was accompanied in this recording session by: Dave Kirby (guitar), Bob McDill (guitar), Lloyd Green (steel and dobro), Joseph Allen (bass), Kenny Malone (drums and percussion), Johnny Gimble (fiddle), (keyboards), Danny Flowers (harmonica), Garth Fundis (background vocal) and Sheldon Kurland (Strings). With the production of Don Williams and Garth Fundis, the song was released on March 29, 1980, and , on May 31, 1980, reached # 2 on the charts of US Hot Country Songs, remaining on the charts a total of 15 weeks, on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts, it peaked at # 3.

The song was included on Don’s ninth studio album, Portrait (MCA 1979), the album was released on October 19, 1979, and on December 23, 1979, peaked at # 11 on the US Top Country charts. Albums, and remained on the charts a total of 53 weeks.

Versions:

Cash Backman 1983 (Hammard)
George Hamilton IV 1985 (MCA)

Don Williams – Good Ole Boys Like Me lyrics

When I was a kid Uncle Remus would put me to bed,
With a picture of Stonewall Jackson above my head.
Then Daddy came in to kiss his little man,
With gin on his breath and a bible in his hand,
And he talked about honor and things I should know.
Then he’d stagger a little as he went out the door.

[Chorus]
I can still hear the soft southern winds in the live oak trees
And Those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me,
Hank and Tennessee.
I guess we’re all gonna be what we’re gonna be,
So what do you do with good ol’ boys like me?

Nothing makes a sound in the night like the wind does,
But you ain’t afraid if you’re washed in the blood like I was.
The smell of cape jasmine through the window screen,
John R. and The Wolfman kept me company
By the light of the radio by my bed,
With Thomas Wolfe whispering in my head.

[Chorus]

When I was in school I ran with a kid down the street,
And I watched him burn himself up on bourbon and speed,
But I was smarter than most, and I could choose.
Learned to talk like the man on the six o’clock news.
When I was eighteen, lord, I hit the road
But it really doesn’t matter how far I go.

[Chorus]

Yeah, what do you do with good ol’ boys like me?