NYCS First Impression: Riley Green ‘IF IT WASN’T FOR TRUCKS’

We have come to expect bold, true-blue honesty from Riley Green, and that’s just what we get with his latest release. Full of personal storytelling, traditional country vibes, and heart, IF IT WASN’T FOR TRUCKS is another peek into Green’s talent, authenticity, and soul.

All co-written by Green himself, each of the five songs are all sprinkled with a hint of charm and a whole lot of nostalgia. All reflective of the singer-songwriter’s personal journey, the collection of songs shares his values and Jacksonville, Alabama roots.

The opening track “Jesus and Wranglers” is a prideful tune about being unapologetically you. It also just so happens to be an ode to his hometown and country-boy living. “If I Didn’t Wear Boots” amplifies the same message, but manifests as a quasi-love song. With lyrics about gaining courage from a drink and charm from his boots, it has Green written all over it.

The center track and quite possibly the anchor of the whole project, “Better Than Me” is a quarantine track that gave us light during these crazy times. This version features country singer Randy Owen, but the messages continue to be the same. An emotional track, Green acknowledges the mixed feelings that have come from quarantine, but leans on his faith during this time, and has given way to the notion that God must know better than him. In other words, take each day one step at a time, find the goodness and positive thoughts, and remember that there is a purpose and a reason for everything.

“Doing some old friend checking in / It seems like where I’m going might be better than where I’ve been / With all this going on / Found the right in all his wrong / I finally see / Good Lord knows better than me”

Similarly, “Behind The Times” acknowledges that sometimes less modern people know more than we do. Green shares lessons that he has learned from someone he deems “behind the times.” I think we can all learn a little bit from this song.

Finally, the title track “If It Wasn’t For Trucks” is an appreciation song for everything a truck symbolizes for a good-ole country boy. Without being generic, Green finds a way to reminisce through his experiences of love, loss, grief, and risk, while weaving the common thread of having his truck through all of those emotions.

“Where would I have raised all that hell / And talk to God all by myself / How would I have got to Tennessee / Without a bucket seat / Where was I suppose to cry that July day grandaddy died”

These songs are a look into Green’s next full-length project, slated to be released sometime next year. Until then, the singer and his team have (virtually) invited fans for a look into his world. ‘The Golden Saw Series’ benefits musicians, who out of work due to the global pandemic. Green’s #GETTHATBANDABEER and ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund continue to assist members of the community that are in need. Green and special guests will continue to play virtual shows at the Alabama venue through most of September.

To keep up with Riley Green follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

NYCS Picks:

1. “Jesus and Wranglers”
2. “Better Than Me”

IF IT WASN’T FOR TRUCKS Tracklist:

1. Jesus and Wranglers
2. If I Didn’t Wear Boots
3. Better Than Me featuring Randy Owen
4. If It Wasn’t For Trucks
5. Behind The Times

IF IT WASN’T FOR TRUCKS is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

 

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