What It Means

Album: American Band (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Truckers reflect here on recent shootings of African-American men by police. Vocalist Patterson Hood doesn't pull any punches referencing in his lyrics the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin and the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson. "'What It Means'" is a song I wrote a couple of years ago protesting the Ferguson decision and the Trayvon Martin killing," explained Hood to Rolling Stone. "Unfortunately, the song is still timely today. I hope and pray that one day it won't be."

Comments: 3

  • Truenorth from CanadaGreat song, by a great band. I'm glad they're wrote it and wish more bands would have the guts to take a stand. Well done!
  • Mark From Connecticut from Durham I love this song and am very pleased the band is getting more political. They call it like it is. If the bigots don’t like it, too damn bad. Thank mike and Patterson and the rest
  • Marc from CaliforniaI’m a big fan of DBT, however this song (what it means) is not only factually incorrect, but also a crap song.
    The Shooting at hand was justified after Holder and Obama investigated it.
    The shooting in Florida was also justified and the shooter was Hispanic not White.
    Seems like DBT have lost their way and become brainwashed by Marxist Ideology and pushing more division of oppressed vs oppressor. They seem to have started Virtue Signaling their phony Social Justice causes since their move to Oregon.
    Maybe they should write a song about Antifa being real life Fascist and promoting Communism, which by the way has killed 100 million plus people.
    DBT need to get back to their Southern roots.
    I definitely won’t be buying music off this album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.