Listen and rebel with Johnny Paycheck’s iconic hit ‘Only Hell My Momma Ever Raised’ – a timeless country classic!
“Only Hell my Momma ever raised” is a classic country song by Johnny Paycheck, released in 1977. The song was written by Bobby Borchers, and it quickly became a hit, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a wild young man who finds himself in trouble with the law. He reflects on his upbringing and notes that he was raised tough and never had much use for authority figures. He even goes so far as to say that “the only hell my momma ever raised was me.”
The song’s title is a play on words, as it suggests that the protagonist’s mother was responsible for his wild behavior. However, the song’s lyrics make it clear that this is not the case. In fact, the protagonist’s mother is never mentioned in the song, except in the title.
The song’s opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, as Paycheck sings, “I can’t read, can’t write / But I can drive a tractor / My paws ain’t cleft, and they don’t shine / But I’ll keep ’em on my money / And my mind on my honey / And I’ll leave the worrying to you.” The lyrics paint a picture of a rough-edged, hard-working man who likes to live life on his own terms.
The chorus of the song is where the title comes into play, as Paycheck sings, “The only hell my momma ever raised was me / She tried to turn me on to Jesus / But I turned on to the devil’s ways instead.” The lyrics suggest that the protagonist was always destined for trouble, no matter how hard his mother tried to steer him in the right direction.
Ultimately, “Only Hell my Momma ever raised” is a classic country song about a rebellious young man who refuses to conform to society’s expectations. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a rough-edged, hard-working man who likes to live life on his own terms. Despite its somewhat controversial lyrics, the song remains a fan favorite and a timeless classic of the country genre.