Try That In a Small Town Lyrics

Ah, yes, “Try That In A Small Town” by Jason Aldean. It’s a popular country song released in 2012 that paints a vivid picture of small-town life and its strong sense of community.

The singer implies that in a small town, you can’t get away with bad behavior because word will spread quickly. There are references to things like vandalism and petty crimes which the singer suggests wouldn’t go unnoticed in a tight-knit small town community.

In the chorus, the singer tells someone to “try” various inappropriate behaviors like lying, cheating, and stealing in a big city versus in a small town. The implication is that while you might be anonymous in a big city, in a small town your reputation would be ruined if you did those things. The song seems to portray small towns as places where people watch out for each other and keep each other accountable.

Try That In A Small Town

(Lyrics)

Try That In A Small Town

Summary

The lyrics describe a series of aggressive and unlawful actions, suggesting engaging in violent and criminal behavior like sucker punching someone on a sidewalk, carjacking an elderly woman at a red light, and threatening a liquor store owner with a gun. 

The tone of the lyrics seems to caution against glamorizing or finding coolness in such actions, emphasizing that behaving recklessly is far from admirable. The lines serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of indulging in destructive behavior and encourage listeners to think twice before glamorizing actions that can have severe repercussions.

(Lyrics)

ya think you’re tough

Summary

The lyrics portray a provocative scenario where the singer suggests disrespectful and confrontational actions towards authority figures, like verbally abusing a police officer and desecrating the national flag by stomping on it and setting it on fire. 

The words convey a rebellious attitude, challenging societal norms and symbols. The overall tone seems to capture a sense of defiance, highlighting a desire to appear tough or rebellious through provocative acts that go against conventional norms.

(Lyrics)

“Well, try that in a small town

See how far ya make it down the road

Around here, we take care of our own

You cross that line, it won’t take long

For you to find out, I recommend you don’t”

Summary

The lyrics suggest a cautionary response to the provocative actions described earlier, emphasizing the contrast in consequences between a small town and a more rural setting. In a small town, the singer warns that attempting such defiant and disrespectful behavior won’t be tolerated, and locals take pride in looking out for each other. 

The lines convey a strong sense of community values, warning that crossing certain lines may lead to swift and unfavorable outcomes, serving as a deterrent against engaging in provocative actions within the tight-knit community.

(Lyrics)

Got a gun that my granddad gave me

They say one day they’re gonna round up

Well, that shit might fly in the city, good luck

Summary

The lyrics describe the possession of a firearm passed down from the singer’s granddad, implying a connection to family heritage. The mention of concerns about a potential round-up suggests a rural context where the idea of gun ownership holds cultural significance and may be perceived differently than in urban areas. 

The lyrics seem to convey a skepticism about the feasibility of certain urban ideologies or restrictions concerning firearms, highlighting a divide in perspectives between rural and city settings on the subject.

(Lyrics)

Try that in a small town

See how far ya make it down the road

Around here, we take care of our own

You cross that line, it won’t take long

For you to find out, I recommend you don’t

Try that in a small town

Summary

The lyrics caution against engaging in provocative or confrontational behavior in a small town, suggesting that such actions won’t be well-received by the close-knit community. The emphasis is on the collective sense of responsibility and protection that characterizes life in a small town, where locals take care of their own. The repeated refrain underscores the warning, advising against crossing certain lines within the tight social fabric of a small town, conveying a strong sense of community values and potential consequences for those who choose to challenge them.

(Lyrics)

Full of good ol’ boys, raised up right

If you’re looking for a fight

Try that in a small town

Try that in a small town

Summary

The lyrics depict a small town populated by individuals with traditional values, often referred to as “good ol’ boys” who were raised with a strong sense of propriety. The mention of looking for a fight in this context suggests that such behavior would be met with resistance in a community that values respect and integrity. 

The repetition of “Try that in a small town” serves as a warning, reinforcing the idea that provoking conflict in this close-knit environment would likely be met with strong opposition and is not advisable.

(Lyrics)

Try that in a small town

See how far ya make it down the road

Around here, we take care of our own

You cross that line, it won’t take long

For you to find out, I recommend you don’t

Try that in a small town

Summary

The lyrics caution against attempting provocative actions in a small town, emphasizing the tight-knit nature of the community. The message suggests that such behavior wouldn’t be well-received, and locals take pride in taking care of their own. 

The repeated refrain underscores the warning, advising against crossing certain lines within the close social fabric of a small town, and implies potential consequences for those who choose to challenge the community’s values.

(Lyrics)

Try that in a small town

Ooh-ooh

Try that in a small town

Summary

The lyrics convey a straightforward message, cautioning against trying provocative or confrontational actions in a small town. The repetition of “Try that in a small town” emphasizes the potential consequences and resistance one might face within the close-knit community. The inclusion of “Ooh-ooh” suggests a tone of warning or skepticism, reinforcing the idea that such behavior wouldn’t be well-received in the unique dynamics of a small town.

Final Words

The song contrasts the experience of living in a small town versus a big city. It suggests that in a big, anonymous city, people can more easily get away with dishonest or inappropriate behavior. However, in a small town where everyone knows each other, it is much harder to maintain a good reputation while engaging in unsavory acts.

The overall message of the song seems to be an appreciation for the accountability and community of small town life. The singer implies small towns have their drawbacks in terms of lack of privacy and anonymity.

But there are also benefits in terms of stronger social ties and the deterrence against misbehavior that comes from having a reputation to uphold. The song portrays small towns as places where people watch out for and take care of one another – where “try that” implies you wouldn’t get away with poor behavior for very long.

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