'Caddo County (From Twisters: The Album)’ by The Red Clay Strays - Lyrics & Meaning

Caddo County, Oklahoma is far removed from the Red Clay Strays' native Mobile County, but the Alabama-bred Southern soul outfit sure seem to know a thing or two about the Oklahoma Territory they sing about on 'Caddo County'.

A new offering from the freshly dropped Twisters: The Album, the star-studded musical companion to the newly released film, 'Caddo County' finds the Strays' branching out while also staying true to themselves. What results is a blistering number that sounds like the perfect marriage between Alabama and Oklahoma.

Immediately blanketed in a mess of fiery strings and hot rhythms, 'Caddo County' features the smoldering Southern rock the band has become well-known for while also evoking the rough-and-tumble attitude of the West.

It's a rambling and rumbling sound, full of grit and conviction, that only builds with frontman Brandon Coleman's flaming vocals and the band's faithfully explosive accompaniment.

"I left home at twenty-three
I ran the roads down to OKC
Never let nothing ever slow me down
Never been afraid to get knocked around"

'Caddo County' is fearless, armed with a bold statement about leaving home in order to become who you were meant to be.

In this instance, the narrator departs the life he's always known at a young age, seemingly setting his sights for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He's adamant. Nothing is going to slow him down, get in his way or deter him whatsoever from getting to where he needs to be.

His only map along the way is the guidance from his mother and father, the lessons they've imparted informing his direction forward. "Mama taught me how to pray / And Daddy worked every day," he sings in the chorus.

Somewhere along the way, though, the narrator ends up over an hour south of OKC, finding himself stuck in Caddo County. How he wound up there or why he can't leave is unknown, but again, he is resolute, crooning in the chorus, "I'd roll this town in a cloud of dust / If I ever get a chance to leave / But Caddo County's got a hold on me."

"I ain't a regular dude afraid of being alone
Always chasin' trouble like a dog to a bone
If you come around barking, be ready to bite
Never been known to ever run from a fight"

Whatever happened for the narrator to find himself in such a situation, he's determined to never let weakness show. He claims he's not like other people, always ready to put up a fight should the scenario present itself.

He still carries with him the lessons his parents imparted – "My mama taught me how to pray / And Daddy told me watch what I say" – but he sings how life has gotten in the way of him doing right from wrong. He's now determined to get out of Caddo County by whatever means necessary, moral compass be damned.

"I'd roll this town in a cloud of dust
If I ever get a chance to leave
But Caddo County got a hold on me"

The band hasn't shared many specifics about 'Caddo County' or the Twisters project, in general, as they've been busy readying the release of their sophomore album. However, ahead of the song's release, they took a moment to speak with Cowboys & Indians about the blockbuster project.

“[Producer] Dave [Cobb] didn’t want so much of a story song," Coleman shared of the project. "Instead he was wanting a strong Southern song. Writing the song in the studio actually took longer than it did to record it. We sat there for five or six hours working out the lyrics. Being a part of the soundtrack is a huge opportunity and an honor for us to be included with so many other great artists.”

I left home at twenty-three
I ran the roads down to OKC
Never let nothing ever slow me down
Never been afraid to get knocked around

Mama taught me how to pray
And Daddy worked every day
I'd roll this town in a cloud of dust
If I ever get a chance to leave
But Caddo County's got a hold on me

I ain't a regular dude afraid of being alone
Always chasin' trouble like a dog to a bone
If you come around barking, be ready to bite
Never been known to ever run from a fight

My mama taught me how to pray
And Daddy told me watch what I say
But life got in the way
I'd roll this town in a cloud of dust
If I ever get a chance to leave
But Caddo County got a hold on me

I'd roll this town on a cloud of dust
If I ever get the chance to leave
But Caddo County's got a hold on me
I'd roll this town on a cloud of dust
If I ever get the chance to leave
Caddo County's got a hold on me

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