text: Now this is a true story for the most part
  That occurred on the top floor of this bigwig record executives office in Nashville, Tennessee
  Now understand Im not poking any fun or disrespecting anybody
  God knows I love country music with all my heart and soul
  And I love the Grand Ole Opry
  But I do have a problem with someone who cant even play a D chord on a guitar
  Telling someone with a dream that they wont get far
  So this song is dedicated to all those underdogs like me out there running around
  Dont get discouraged if you have a dream
  Dont be afraid to chase it down
  Its how it goes
  He said, Son, dont get offended by what Im about to say
  I can see you have a passion
  For the songs you write and play
  But you lack what we all call commercial appeal
  And you just dont have what it takes
  To make it here in Nashville
  Ouch...
  Well my heart felt like a train wreck
  But I wore a smile on my face
  I said, Thank you for your time, sir
  Put my guitar back in its case
  Our little conversation was like a revelation
  Redirecting my dreams
  Cause God knows Id never sell my soul to rock n roll or rap
  Or wear those tight skinny jeans
  Cause you know Id rather sing my own songs
  Than be a puppet on a string
  Ill wear what I want to wear
  Im gonna sing what I wanna sing
  Heaven knows all I need
  Is my faith, my fans, my friends and my family
  Besides Id rather be an old fence post in Texas
  Than the king of Tennessee
  So I loaded up my old pickup truck
  And I drove back home to Amarillo
  Got a gig off old route 66
  At this ballroom called The Armadillo
  And for the first thousand shows or so
  Not a soul showed up
  I thought about quitting every other day
  But I just kept on kicking that cup
  Yeah, I kept kicking that can surrounded by blood, sweat, and beers
  And wouldnt you know I became an overnight sensation
  In just over ten years
  And now Im packing out all the dance halls
  And the rodeos every night
  I got a pretty wife, a ranch, a band, a bus, a boat
  Id say Im doing alright
  And you know Id rather sing my own songs
  Than be a puppet on a string
  Ill wear what I want to wear
  Im gonna sing what I wanna sing
  Heaven knows all I need
  Is my faith, my fans, my friends and my family
  Besides Id rather be an old fence post in Texas
  Than the king of Tennessee
  Oh, how bout a little front porch picking, boys
  Well, wouldnt you know that old record man
  Showed up one night at this honky tonking bar
  After my show he said, Son, I believe you might be the next big country star
  He said, We like how you keep it raw
  We like how you keeping it real
  And I think you may just have what we all like to call commercial appeal
  Huh, aint that something
  Well, sir...
  Id rather sing my own songs
  Than be a puppet on a string
  Ill wear what I want to wear
  And Im gonna sing what I wanna sing
  Heaven knows all I need
  Is my faith, my fans, my friends and my family
  Besides Id rather be an old fence post in Texas
  Than the king of Tennessee
  God bless Tennessee
  But Id rather be just an old fence post in Texas
  Than sell my soul to rock n roll or rap
  Or wear those tight fitting skinny jeans