Rocky Top

Osborne Brothers

About Rocky Top

"Rocky Top" is an American country and bluegrass song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967 and first recorded by the Osborne Brothers later that same year. The song, which is a city dweller's lamentation over the loss of a simpler and freer existence in the hills of Tennessee, is one of Tennessee's ten official state songs and has been recorded by dozens of artists from multiple musical genres worldwide since its publication. In U. S. college athletics, "Rocky Top" is associated with the Tennessee Volunteers of the University of Tennessee (UT), whose Pride of the Southland Band has played a marching band version of the song at the school's sporting events since the early 1970s. The Osborne Brothers' 1967 bluegrass version of the song reached No. 33 on the U. S. Country charts, and Lynn Anderson's 1970 version peaked at No. 17 on the U. S. Country charts. In 2005, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ranked "Rocky Top" number seven on its list of 100 Songs of the South. 


Year:
1995
2:36
78 
#3

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Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear, other half cat
Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee

Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top
Lookin' for a moonshine still
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top
Dirt's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee

I've had years of cramped-up city life
Trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee

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Osborne Brothers

The Osborne Brothers, Sonny Osborne (b. October 29, 1937) and Bobby Osborne (b. December 9, 1931), were an influential and popular bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s. They are probably best known for their No. 33 1968 country hit song, "Rocky Top", written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and named after a fictional Tennessee location. more »

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Written by: Rick James

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Year
"Rocky Top" by the Osborne Brothers was released in the year 1967.
Popularity Amongst Country Music
The song quickly gained popularity among country music lovers and is considered one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Song Meanings
The lyrics of "Rocky Top" reminisce about a simpler, peaceful life in rural Tennessee, which is often associated with the hillbilly stereotype.
Chart Success
The Osborne Brothers' version of "Rocky Top" was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1967.
Longstanding Legacy
"Rocky Top" was selected as one of the official state songs of Tennessee in 1982.
Sports Connection
The song is often played at University of Tennessee sports events.
Broad Influence
"Rocky Top" has been covered by numerous artists in the country and bluegrass genres, including Dolly Parton, Lynn Anderson, and Conway Twitty.
Cultural Impact
Due to its popularity and frequent play at Tennessee sporting events, the song is often considered an anthem for the state.
Songwriters
The song was written by songwriting couple Boudleaux and Felice Bryant who have written numerous hit songs for various artists over the years.
Remembrance
A portion of U.S. Route 441 in Tennessee is named "Rocky Top" in honor of the song.

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