Rolling Stone explained that “Shit Kickin'”, the lead single of Look Long, is “Amy Ray’s recollections of growing up in the south and paints a more true-to-life depiction of a rural existence than the idealistic one often heard on country radio.”
[Verse 1]
Shit kickin’, suburban, I grew up bareback ridin’
Out on the weekends at ol’ Partain’s
“If you can catch ‘em, you can ride ‘em.”
That’s what the old man said to us kids
I took that and ran for the rest of my days
[Chorus]
I’m a little bit left of the “salt of the Earth”
Not too proud, I’ll prove my worth
A little bit right- my family, you know, they let me be
To make my way through this world, in spite of everything
[Post-Chorus]
Shit kickin’, suburban, for all I’m worth
[Verse 2]
I’m a Honda girl Trail 90
Burn my calf, every time I’d ride it
That carburetor left its mark on me
“If you can start ‘em, you can ride ‘em.”
That’s what my daddy said to us kids
I took that and ran for the rest of my days
[Chorus]
I’m a little bit left of the “salt of the Earth”
Not too proud, I’ll prove my worth
A little bit right - my family, you know, they let me be
To make my way through this world, in spite of everything
[Verse 3]
Tearing down the dirt roads
Dean Brown’s gas store
Walking past the old men
“Get a load of that tomboy kid.”
Flying out the back door
Down to the lake shore
Fishing pole, bait worms
“Delta Dawn” in my head
[Verse 4]
Catchin’ and releasin’
Didn’t feel it creepin’
That Kudzu covered me, like it would set me free
From the old ways, and the old men
But damn that trickery, it got the best of me
I’m gonna tear it down and start again
[Verse 5]
Grand-daddy was a preacher
Built that church from the sand to the steeple
I didn’t know him except by his journalin' hand
If you can find him, you can love him
But girl, you got to be honest about him
Or you’ll be fighting them weeds for the rest of your days
[Chorus]
I’m a little bit left of the “salt of the Earth”
That’s alright, I’ll prove my worth
A little bit right-but my family, you know, they set me free
To make my way through this world, in spite of everything
[Post-Chorus]
Shit kickin’, suburban, for all I’m worth
Shit kickin’, suburban, for all I’m worth
Shit Kickin’ was written by Amy Ray.
Shit Kickin’ was produced by John Reynolds.
Indigo Girls released Shit Kickin’ on Fri May 22 2020.