Nettie Moore

Album: Modern Times (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lyrics, "I'm going to where the southern crosses the yellow dog" comes from a southern man who was found in a train station very late at night making up a blues song as he went. He kept repeating the lines, "I'm goin' to where the southern crosses the yellow dog," which made no sense to the listener, who then asked the meaning of it. The old man responded, "it's an intersection of the southern railroad tracks and the yellow dog railroad tracks, and that's where I'm headed, home." Very simple meaning but beautiful at the same time, and at that moment the man who heard him decided to produce rural blues artists. The line represents a southern rural bluesy ideal, and Dylan liked the bluesy south, which is also what inspired his album Highway 61 Revisited because it led directly from Minnesota down to the delta south. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Grace Newlin - Indianapolis, IN

Comments: 2

  • Justin Dungan from Mid-moEver considered the connection between "where the southern crosses the yellow dog" being located in Moorhead Mississippi and the title/ songs namesake "Nettie Moore?"
  • Jeff from Seattle, WaInteresting anecdote, Grace. Where did you learn it? Thanks
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.