She Rides Away

Album: The Sound of a Million Dreams (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Speaking with Roughstock, Nail said that after he recorded this Eric Paslay and Phil Barton penned tune, he "texted his producer and said it may be the coolest thing we've ever done." He added, "It's really fresh sounding, and feels like we're painting outside the lines."
  • The song is located in the Texas city of Laredo, which is close to the Mexican border. It finds the titular girlfriend making tracks in a rusty El Camino, a classic American cruising car, which was last manufactured in 1987. The Kennett, Missouri born singer told Roughstock they were, "two things that never in a million years did I ever think I'd sing about in a song." He continued, "I've never been to Laredo, never driven an El Camino, but it has that imagery that is so important to me. It sounds like it should be in a movie."
  • Nail explained in publicity materials that "imagery is so much a part of what draws me to the songs I record." He continued: "I pick songs with cities in their lyrics or the names of girls because I want you to know exactly where I'm coming from and what I'm talking about. I love painting those pictures."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.