When I lose my smile, when my thoughts get jumbled
When the air and BS get too thick
Can't take a breath without getting sick
I've had enough of this concrete jungle
I drop my truck in drive, I pick up my baby
She jumped on scene with a kiss and a hey
We exit off that old hallway
Sometimes you gotta go beyond the pavement
You gotta go deep, way on back
Cross a few creeks and a couple little shacks
You gotta get lost, way on out
Crickets and frogs, yeah, you're getting close now
And you kick it into four wheel drive
When you run out of road and you go
And you go and you go, go, go
'Til you hear a banjo
It ain't on no map and I'm glad it isn't
Leave the phone and the GPS
Those satellites ain't found it yet
Got our own little piece of heaven hidden
Yeah, you gotta go deep, way on back
Cross a few creeks and a couple little shacks
You gotta get lost, way on out
Crickets and frogs, yeah, you're getting close now
And you kick it into four wheel drive
When you run out of road and you go
And you go and you go, go, go
'Til you hear a banjo
Yeah, you gotta go deep, way on back
Cross a few creeks and a couple little shacks
Yeah, you gotta get lost, way on out
Crickets and frogs, yeah, you're getting close now
Yeah and you kick it into four wheel drive
When you run out of road and you go
And you go and you go, go, go, oh ho
'Til you hear that banjo
Kick it, you gotta go deep way on back
Oh, oh, oh, cross a few creeks
And a couple little shacks
Oh, oh, oh
Four wheel drive when you run out of road
Oh, oh, oh, and you go and you go, and you go
'Til you hear that, 'til you hear that
'Til you hear that banjo
Banjo
Banjo Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Rascal Flatts' song "Banjo," released in 2012 on their album *Changed*, presents a vivid narrative of escaping the pressures of modern urban life. The track, characteristic of the group's country sound, immediately sets the scene of feeling overwhelmed and stifled by the "concrete jungle," where stress and negativity are palpable.
The lyrics paint a clear picture of reaching a breaking point with the "air and BS" of city living. This feeling of being unable to breathe or function comfortably triggers the desire for an immediate change of environment. The solution is presented as an active departure from this stressful setting.
The escape is depicted as a physical journey initiated by getting into a vehicle and leaving the paved roads behind. It involves picking up a loved one and intentionally moving away from the familiar, structured environment of the city and suburbs, signifying a deliberate separation from the source of stress.
The destination is not easily reached or even located on standard maps. The journey goes "deep, way on back," crossing creeks and passing small, simple structures. It requires actively getting "lost" from the usual routes and relying on natural signs like the sounds of crickets and frogs as indicators of getting closer. The physical difficulty of the journey is highlighted by the need for four-wheel drive when the conventional road disappears.
The arrival is marked not by sight, but by sound – specifically, the distinct sound of a banjo. This auditory cue signifies reaching a secluded sanctuary, a hidden "piece of heaven" untouched by satellite navigation or cell signals. It represents a place of peace, simplicity, and disconnection from the technological and social demands of the outside world.
Ultimately, the song is an anthem for finding refuge and reclaiming peace in a personal, remote haven. It speaks to the universal human need to retreat from overwhelming stress and find solace in nature and simpler surroundings. By portraying this escape to a place where the only significant sound is a banjo, the song inspires listeners to seek their own sanctuary away from the noise and chaos of modern life.
