Hardy’s ‘Rednecker’ Draws a Deep Line in the Clay [Listen]

There's country fans that like Hardy's debut single "Rednecker," and then there's country fans that need to get over themselves.

Nope, the newcomer's backroad sound isn't high art. This isn't the song NPR will be showcasing soon. Hardy is unlikely to be the next Spin cover boy. The Southern, mullet-sporting, ironic floral shirt-wearing singer was already a white-hot Nashville songwriter (real name Michael Hardy) before he decided to take the stage under a single moniker. In many ways he's playing with house money with a song that celebrates not giving a fu— er, not giving a gosh darn what you think.

One immediately thinks of similar redneck kind of songs by Blake Shelton and Craig Morgan as "Rednecker" begins. The front-porch-style guitar plucking carries an arrangement that fills out nicely as Hardy gets to his braggadocios chorus. Really the entire song is an exaggerated version of a conversation every man has had at some point in his life, often while full on cheap beer and bad whiskey. A fist fight looms large in the future, but it'll be alright in the morning.

It's something of a disservice to stop this song review here, as Hardy's many smartly-placed comparisons need some shine. It's the little details, like references to Slim Jims, Dale Sr., and the blue tick hound that make the song special. You are this guy, or you know this guy, or maybe you've dated this guy! Hardy's "Rednecker" is what happens when we untuck our shirts and embrace the inner hick within us.

Did You Know?:Jordan Schmidt and Andy Albert helped Hardy write "Rednecker."

50 Modern Country Songs for the Traditional Country Fan:

Hardy's "Rednecker" Lyrics:

So you think you've got some county line cred / Cause you rode a dirt road or two / You got a Mossy Oak hat on top of your head / And a southern pride tattoo / Yeah you might a drank a little grain alcohol or hauled a little hay / But if you think your boots / Got more dirt than mine I got one thing to say.

Chorus:
My town's smaller than your town / And i got a bigger buck and bass on my wall / Got a little more kick in my drawl / Y'all i got little more spit in my chaw / My truck's louder than your truck / And my collar's a little more blue / You might think that you're redneck / But I'm rednecker than you, yes I am.

I got a car parked in my front yard / With a floorboard full of slim jeans / I piss where i want to / And i fish Where i swim / I bet you you ain't got it on a tailgate / Or killed a copperhead a time or two / Man if you're thinking you're a better beer drinker buddy I've got news for you.

My town's smaller than your town / And i got a bigger buck and bass on my wall / Got a little more kick in my drawl / Y'all i got little more spit in my chaw / My truck's louder than your truck / And my tick hound's a little more blue / You might think that you're redneck / But I'm rednecker than you, yes I am.

Yeah I'm down with the sound / Of a dixie whistle raising hell /Praising Dale twelve in at Bristol / More sweat on my brow / At the end of the day / So needless to say …