Roots

Album: 27861 (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • As they were looking for new material to record, the Parmalee quartet came across this Jared Mullins, Blake Bollinger and Ben Stennis-penned tune. The lyrics resonated deeply with the foursome but there was no guarantee that they would get the song for themselves. They were worried that Luke Bryan may snap it up, so they successfully approached the head of their label for help.
  • The track was released as the lead single from Parmalee's sophomore album. "I think every line in that song speaks to all of us," lead singer Matt Thomas told The Boot. "It felt like, if it can connect with people just like it did with us, we need to get it out there. That's why we wanted to put it out as our first single off this album."
  • Thomas explained the song is about, "the things that make you who you are... All the things that you experienced growing up, all those things you didn't realize, they stay a part of you. No matter where you end up in life, they'll always be a part of you. It's a reflection on that."
  • Parmalee's sophomore album is titled 27861, which is the group's hometown zip code. Their place of origin is Parmele in North Carolina.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."