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Can Kentucky be characterized by song lyrics? The ‘15 Songs with Lyrics that Reference Kentucky’ sure tries it, featuring songs courtesy of Bryson Tiller, Carrie Underwood, Drake, and more.

Ah, Kentucky – what a state! While I – the brainchild of The Musical Hype – have my reservations with my state (all states have something wrong), I’m proud to call The Bluegrass state my home.  Kentucky has a little bit of everything, though mostly basketball, horses, and did I mention basketball?

This southern state has actually been referenced in many songs. This playlist examines 15 songs with lyrics that reference Kentucky. There are mostly rap songs, but also we squeeze in some country and rock as well. Without further ado, 15 Songs with Lyrics that Reference Kentucky!

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1. Bryson Tiller, “Exchange”

Writers: Bryson Tiller, Javelyn Hall, Michael Hernandez & Michael Johnson | Producer: The Mekanics

T R A P S O U L • 2015

“I don’t wanna get into it – why you stressin’ him? I’ve been drivin’
Back and forth, from Louisville to Lexington, mileage
On the whip, got your ass in my grip.”

The trip from Louisville to Lexington, the two largest cities in Kentucky, runs approximately 80 minutes and 80 miles.

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2. Tee Grizzley, “My First Day Out

My Moment • 300 Entertainment • 2017

“And had them paid lawyers coming in and out of court

Ayy Dwan though, ayy, Theo ain’t it a blessing?

We made it out Kentucky after all that happened?

After the pre-trials, after the status

After them impact statements, after the castle…

I’m at home when I’m down there in Lexington, n***a…

I went to trial back to back, b*tch I’m 2-0

The state of Kentucky banned me from every jewelry store…”

On Genius, the rapper himself verifies the bulk of the excerpted lyrics. He also references Lexington, Kentucky on “Country” (“Locked up in Lexington when through Atlanta”).

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3. Drake, “Company”

Ft. Travis Scott

Writers: A. Graham, E. Oshunrinde & J. Webster | Producers: Ebony Oshurnrinde & Travis Scott

If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late • Cash Money • 2015

“Is you single or what? I need a girl from the country,

I need a girl from Kentucky, I need a shawty from Houston…” – Drake, Verse 1

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4. Drake & Future, “Scholarships”

Writers: Aubrey Graham, Leland Wayne & Nayvadius Wilburn | Producer: Metro Boomin

What a Time to Be Alive • Cash Money • 2015

“And I rock Kentucky blue on these hoes

Drafted, I’m getting’ choose by these hoes…” – Drake, Verse 2

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5. Carrie Underwood, “Before He Cheats”

Writers: Chris Tompkins & Josh Kear | Producer: Mark Bright

Some Hearts • 19 • 2005

“That I dug my key into the side of his
Pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights
Slashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats.”

If you want to have “Fun right off the bat,” you should check out the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. It should also be noted that Carrie Underwood is from Checotah, Oklahoma.

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6. Young Thug, “Worth It”

Writers: Brandon Hodge, Chris Brown, Jeffrey Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Leon Youngblood & Mark Pitts | Producer: London on Da Track

Slime Season 3 • 300 Entertainment / Atlantic • 2016

“She get on top and she ride it, Kentucky Derby.”

Clearly, Young Thug isn’t talking about thoroughbred racing.

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7. Mac Miller, “Red Dot Music”

Ft. Action Bronson

Watching Movies with the Sound Off • Rostrum • 2013

“I’m still twisted, rocking lizards from a strange river
Forbidden jungle in the joint paper, point shaver
Check the bio, I fixed the game
Between Kentucky and Miami of Ohio, I been wild…” – Action Bronson, Verse 2

Hopefully, Action Bronson is lying about his role in this infamous Kentucky basketball game.  The late Charlie Coles’ Miami (OH) squad nearly shocked the world – rather Rupp Arena and Big Blue Nation.  The John Wall-led AP No. 4 ranked UK team would win narrowly, 72-70.

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8. Slaughterhouse, “Coffin”

Ft. Busta Rhymes

Writers: C. Hollis, D. Wickliffe, J. Budden, J. Ortiz, R. Montgomery & T. Smith | Producer: Hit-boy

welcome to: OUR HOUSE • Shady / Interscope • 2012 

While Action Bronson had to bring up a bad memory for Kentucky Wildcats (nearly losing to someone we shouldn’t have), Crooked I speaks of the dominance of the 2012, 38-2, Anthony Davis-led squad that won the 2012 National Champion.

“What up, what up, what up? Then I’m tryna find a whore
Dig in that vagina like I’m mining for diamonds or
I’m tryna find China or some kind of dinosaur
Try to score like Kentucky in the final four.”

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9. The Game, “Red Nation”

Ft. Lil Wayne

Writers: A. Lyon, D. Carter, Emanuel Guenther, Floria Snfter, J. Taylor & M. Valenzano

The R.E.D. Album • Interscope • 2011

“Russia got a red flag, US got red stripes
Last train to Paris, round the world in these red Nikes
Che Guevara of the New Era, test me
Louisville slugger, Yogi Berra in my new era.”

ONCE AGAIN, if you want to have “Fun right off the bat,” you should check out the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.

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10. Lil Wayne, “Curtains”

Ft. Boo

Writers: B. Williams, D. Carter, J. Preyan, N. Fisher, R. Diaz & Sabrien Sledge | Producer: Detail

I Am Not a Human Being II • Cash Money • 2013

“Baby, I just want some mouth and lip service
She gone ride this d**k like the Kentucky Derby.”

OMG.  Some of these rappers fail to understand that the Kentucky Derby is about actual horse racing, not sex! On his filthy “Dirty Mouth” (Teenage Emotions), Lil Yachty gets it all wrong too, rapping, “My b*tch suck it up just like Kirby / She drives whips like it’s Kentucky Derby.”

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11. Odd Future, “NY (Ned Flander)”

Ft. Hodgy & Tyler, the Creator

Writers: Gerard Long & Tyler Okonma | Producer: Tyler, the Creator

The OF Tape Vol. 2 • Odd Future • 2013

“Dancing with me, Jerry Sandusky, and the Pope in the club
Jerry’s trying to get a tug but it isn’t paying enough
Now if he doubles it I’ll tug it in the bathtub with bubbles
And a rubber ducky that I got on tour Kentucky with some groupies
Where I had got lucky with some sucky-sucky trust me honey bunny
If you f**k me you gonna leave with runny nose
I be running in these hoes ain’t no condom on, f**king f**k, me.” – Tyler, the Creator, Verse 2

Before Tyler, the Creator showed more maturity on his 2017 Grammy-nominated album, Flower Boy, there was the aforementioned, absolutely filthy Tyler.

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12. Florida Georgia Line, “Get Your Shine On”

Writers: Brian Kelley, Chase Rice, Jesse Rice, Joey Moi & Tyler Hubbard | Producer: Joey Moi

Here’s to the Good Times • Big Machine Group • 2013

“Silverado, candy painted

Ray-Bans got the whole world shaded

Chrome piece tucked in the console

Riding high, roll up on the down low

Feeling lucky, got hooked up with some Kentucky clear

So, slide that little sugar shaker over here.”

The Kentucky clear referenced here would be Lucky Kentucky Moonshine.

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13. Nas, “Fried Chicken”

Ft. Busta Rhymes

Writers: Mark Ronson, Nasir Jones & Trevor Smith | Producer: Mark Ronson

Nas • Island Def Jam / Columbia • 2008

“Mm… Fried chicken, fly vixen

Give me heart disease but need you in my kitchen

You a bird but you ain’t a ki’

Got wings but you can’t fly away from me

Driving in your bucket seats

All the way from Kentucky to f**k with me…”

Besides various references to sex, Nas does reference the famous chicken chain, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), which was founded in Corbin, Kentucky in 1930 by Colonel Harlan Sanders. Notably, Kendrick Lamar has rapped about KFC in numerous songs, including “Duckworth.” on his 2017 album, DAMN. Of course, the KFC he references was part of the franchise in California, not Kentucky.

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14. Brad Paisley, “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alone”

Writers: Darrell Scott | Producer: Frank Rogers

Part II • Arista Nashville • 2001

“In the deep dark hills of eastern Kentucky
That’s the place where I trace my bloodline
And it’s there I read on a hillside gravestone
You will never leave Harlan alive.”

Brad Paisley covers the Darrell Scott-penned record, “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alone” on his sophomore album, Part II.  The song paints a pessimistic, ‘deathtrap’ style portrait of Eastern Kentucky, specifically Harlan.

Interestingly, Tyler Childs references Eastern Kentucky, his ‘stamping ground’, on his debut album, Purgatory (2017).

“I was out of my mind the first night we met
I was feeling lonely and blue
I’d just moved to the country to get me some rest
The city can put a hurtin’ on you
Especially a fella from eastern Kentucky.” –  Tyler Childs, “Honky Tonk Flame,” Purgatory (2017)

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15. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Scar Tissue”

Writers: Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, Flea & John Frusciante | Producer: Rick Rubin

Californication • Warner Bros. • 1999

“Push me up against the wall

Young Kentucky girl in a push-up bra

Fallin’ all over myself

To like your heart and taste your health…”

Why, oh why is Kentucky viewed so sexually? Being fair, this really has nothing to do with the Bluegrass State, and more to do with the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman, Anthony Kiedis.

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