Tennessee Owns My Soul
Roy Orbison · Other Songs - Roy Orbison
Talk about troubles, I tell you I got 'em shovellin'
sand on the Mississipi bottom
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
I killed me a man in Shelby County,
they turned me in for the government bounty
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Tennessee owns my soul, that little Georgia gal just wouldn't listen
She tried to run away with Stoney Lee I caught him
and I put him six feet under
I wonder if he misses me? Tennessee owns my soul
Rottin' in a cell I try to forget her,
wishin' like hell I'd never ever met her
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Gotta get away, gotta see my baby,
gotta leave tonight, she's drivin' me crazy
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Tennessee owns my soul, if I can get as far as Lookout Mountain
Highway twenty four will carry me to the girl I killed another man for
Even then I know I won't be free, Tennessee owns my soul
I make it to the top of the twenty foot wall,
the guard - I'm hit, and I think I'm gonna fall
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Laying on a broken back and cryin', everything's goin' black and I'm dyin'
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah Tennessee owns my soul,
Tennessee owns my soul
sand on the Mississipi bottom
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
I killed me a man in Shelby County,
they turned me in for the government bounty
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Tennessee owns my soul, that little Georgia gal just wouldn't listen
She tried to run away with Stoney Lee I caught him
and I put him six feet under
I wonder if he misses me? Tennessee owns my soul
Rottin' in a cell I try to forget her,
wishin' like hell I'd never ever met her
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Gotta get away, gotta see my baby,
gotta leave tonight, she's drivin' me crazy
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Tennessee owns my soul, if I can get as far as Lookout Mountain
Highway twenty four will carry me to the girl I killed another man for
Even then I know I won't be free, Tennessee owns my soul
I make it to the top of the twenty foot wall,
the guard - I'm hit, and I think I'm gonna fall
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Laying on a broken back and cryin', everything's goin' black and I'm dyin'
yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah Tennessee owns my soul,
Tennessee owns my soul
Tennessee Owns My Soul
Roy Orbison's 'Tennessee Owns My Soul' stands as a quintessential example of his signature sound, blending lush orchestration with his distinctive, soaring vocals. Recorded during the height of his career, the track exemplifies the dramatic emotional range that defined his discography and cemented his status as a rock and roll icon. The song captures the melancholic yet romantic atmosphere characteristic of Orbison's work, utilizing rich harmonies and a driving rhythm to evoke a sense of longing. It remains a staple of his catalog, showcasing his ability to transform simple themes into powerful musical statements that resonated deeply with audiences across generations.