This song is embedded in the history of its musical genre. It was born in 1972 when he crashed with some people while he had some time on his hands from playing. The Armadillo he wants to go home to is the old and fabled Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin in the 1970's. This of artists who played and recorded there is far too long for this space, but AC/DC played their first U.S. concert there. This song was indeed the theme song for Austin City Limits until a few years ago. As such, it would have been heard frequently in the UK, as ACL was syndicated there.
About 40 years ago give or take a couple, I saw Gary P Nunn for the first time on a TV show Austin City Limits. He was the most entertaining performer I had seen in awhile, his set was really good and he was a heck of a guitar player. I think this song became the official closing credits tune for the show and maybe that is why he grew to love it for the royalties?
That was great. I saw Jerry Jeff three times or so back in the 70s, and he sang this one every time. He wasn't so much picking at London or the British, but you were right about him being a homesick Texan. From those I know they're deeply rooted and proud of their own culture.
Thank you do much for doing this one for me Harri. As the title says, he was lonesome and homesick, and not just making fun of London. I thought it would be such fun since you live in London and I'm from Amarillo. I loved my time in your great city of London. So many Texas country music stars in their early years, met up over in Luckenbach, which he called out, and played together. We live less than an hour from there now and went last year to see The Lost Gonzo Band, who played with so many of them. Most all of us in the audience could sing along with all the songs, whether they were hits for Gary P., Jerry Jeff, Ray Wiley Hubbard or Michael Martin Murphy. You'll probably get more Texas Country requests from me going forward and thanks again.
You got it right Harri, It's not London, he's just a homesick cowboy. I'm sure he would hate New York City also. "Desperados Waiting on a Train" is a good tune by Jerry Jeff. ☮💙🎶
Well now this song was written in early seventies. Things were a bit different in London back then. They knew little about Merika and the understanding of the friendliness of southern folk. I remember.
Now that's one of the reasons I like your channel best - you're just such a nice guy! You saw the beauty and the humor in the song "no hard feelings"! God bless you.
Hi Harri, I hope you don't take offense. I'm from Texas and my feller is British, he's NOT fond of this song. He found it offensive. I think the word "limey" is the reason why he doesn't like it. London is my favorite city in the world! I love you and your channel Harri. Blessings to you and yours from the Lone Star Star.
Being a stranger in a strange land is always hard. If this song came on in a bar in Austin, the whole place started singing along, until the place was a rousing circus of Texans.