‘Little Country Boys’ by Luke Combs - Lyrics & Meaning

Fathers & Sons finds country superstar Luke Combs embracing all of the different elements of fatherhood.

Since the birth of his boys, Tex and Beau, the 'Where the Wild Things Are' hitmaker has notably made his way into more introspective songwriting, but he's also been known to cut a handful of outside songs, too.

The fourth track on the 12-song project, 'Little Country Boys' is one of these outside cuts from Combs and explains that no matter how hard you try to change them or dissuade them, country boys will always be country boys.

Just like the rest of the album, and much of Combs' material in recent years, 'Little Country Boys' sees a trusted trio of co-producers behind the soundboard: Combs, Chip Matthews & Jonathan Singleton.

As we mentioned before, this song also marked one of the few outside cuts from across Combs' discography thus far. While the North Carolinian is usually in the driver's seat for the songs he sings, 'Little Country Boys' was actually written by another country superstar named Luke – this time being Bryan – alongside Blair Daly and Dallas Davidson.

Now that you know that Bryan had a hand in it, you can almost hear his voice singing the country diddy, fitting in perfectly to his long and illustrious catalogue.

Avoiding the bells and whistles of fancy instrumentation, 'Little Country Boys' sticks to a pretty simple and stripped down sound that's heard throughout the bulk of Fathers & Sons.

"They got skinned-up knees
Grass stains on their jeans
Dirt on their hands
They're just like their dads
They dig in the dirt
Cut up in church
Play outside
And say things like"

The track opens by describing how these little country boys that we'll soon become acquainted with look.

With skinned up knees and grass stains that their moms well regretfully have to get out in the wash later, these country boys usually take on similar qualities to their dads, who are often their very best friends.

"Can I reel one in?
Dad, you're my best friend
Just one more spin
I promise I'll be good if you let me drive
This is so much fun
I shoot my BB gun
Watch how fast I can run
They're dirty and muddy and buddy
You ain't got a choice
But to love 'em and let 'em be
Little country boys"

Listing off the common vernacular of little country boys, Combs sings about some of the things that he's likely heard over the last few years from his little ones.

From going fishing, shooting their BB guns, bragging on how fast they can run and more, Combs underlines that you really can't do to try and change these little rascals. They might be dirty and muddy and rambunctious, but you've just got to love them and let them be who they were born to be.

"They climb up trees
Grow like weeds
Love playing ball
Go everywhere with their dogs
Skip the rocks on the water
They're sweet like their mama
Puts a smile on my face
Every time I hear 'em say"

Moving on to some of their signature pass times – like climbing trees, playing in the yard and hanging out with their trusty four legged friend – Combs' is starting to build the ultimate guide to understanding little country boys everywhere.

Noting that they do have a sweetness about them – that they undoubtedly got from their moms – these boys also have the ability to put a smile on your face every time.

"Yeah, they're just like us
They don't ever wanna grow up
They hunt, they fish, they love to ride in the truck

Can I reel one in?
Dad, you're my best friend
Just one more spin
I promise I'll be good if you let me drive
This is so much fun
I shoot my BB gun
Watch how fast I can run
They're dirty and muddy and buddy
You ain't got a choice
But to love 'em and let 'em be
Little country boys"

They got skinned-up knees
Grass stains on their jeans
Dirt on their hands
They're just like their dads
They dig in the dirt
Cut up in church
Play outside
And say things like

Can I reel one in?
Dad, you're my best friend
Just one more spin
I promise I'll be good if you let me drive
This is so much fun
I shoot my BB gun
Watch how fast I can run
They're dirty and muddy and buddy
You ain't got a choice
But to love 'em and let 'em be
Little country boys

They climb up trees
Grow like weeds
Love playing ball
Go everywhere with their dogs
Skip the rocks on the water
They're sweet like their mama
Puts a smile on my face
Every time I hear 'em say

Can I reel one in?
Dad, you're my best friend
Just one more spin
I promise I'll be good if you let me drive
This is so much fun
I shoot my BB gun
Watch how fast I can run
They're dirty and muddy and buddy
You ain't got a choice
But to love 'em and let 'em be
Little country boys

Yeah, they're just like us
They don't ever wanna grow up
They hunt, they fish, they love to ride in the truck

Can I reel one in?
Dad, you're my best friend
Just one more spin
I promise I'll be good if you let me drive
This is so much fun
I shoot my BB gun
Watch how fast I can run
They're dirty and muddy and buddy
You ain't got a choice
But to love 'em and let 'em be
Little country boys

You gotta love 'em and let 'em be
Little country boys

––

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