As we’ve said before, Parker McCollum is in for a huge 2021.
But let’s not forget one of the first songs that started this runaway train…
With the release of his sophomore album Probably Wrong, Parker took a huge step into the spotlight hits like “Hell of a Year” and “I Can’t Breathe,” but it also had what I believe is his most underrated song, “Misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood” tells a story that’s pretty common in country music, the struggle of life on the road. But Parker manages to hit a note that many songs miss. You can really hear the pain in his voice, the loneliness in his voice. There’s no fluff, just direct, detailed words about a life in constant motion.
“Late night train back to Austin
Couple cars, cocaine, and the interstate
Most every night this is what it’s like
You don’t answer I keep callin’ just to stay awake
Hope what you said wasn’t meant for me
You told me I was no good
It’s alright, babe I’m pretty used to being misunderstood.”
And then later on…
“Go home and sleep till I leave again
That’s why I gave you up, couldn’t watch you cry
You said you’d wait on me patiently
But I live out of a bag till the day I die.”
If that ain’t real, I don’t know what is.
And as good as the studio version is, I just can’t get enough of this acoustic performance from Billy Bob’s, ahead of his main stage debut in 2017.