“This song is how I see Nashville”
James Reyne has unveiled his new single Going Back To Nashville, his first new music since 2020’s acclaimed album, Toon Town Lullaby.
Going Back To Nashville is a classic driving country-rock song, filled with James Reyne’s razor-sharp observations and wonderfully wry wordplay. The words tumble out as James tells the tale of a songwriter having “one more shot at Cow Town”.
Many years ago, James wrote some songs with the legendary Tony Joe White. “Next time you’re in Nashville,” the swamp rock king said, “give me a call.”
When James found himself in Music City for an ill-fated songwriting trip, he reached out to the Swamp Fox, who took him on a tour, showing him the Nashville sights.
Years later, after returning to the music mecca, James decided to document his experiences of “Cashville”, where songwriters from around the world venture, seeking fame and fortune.
James remembers Tony Joe White pointing out the Nashville landmarks as they drove around town. “Back then, a bit of a status symbol was how many head of buffalo you had on your ranch,” James recalls. “Pointing at Wynonna Judd’s place, Tony Joe said in that distinctively deep voice, ‘She’s got like 20 head of buffalo.’”
The song also sees James revisiting Australian Crawl’s first international tour – their shows with Willie Nelson in New Zealand in 1981.
James spotted a sticker on Willie’s road cases: “Honk if you love Delbert”, which now turns up in Going Back To Nashville. “I’ve always loved Delbert McClinton,” James notes.
The song also references Tom T. Hall’s Watermelon Wine and namechecks Jerry Jeff Walker, as well as George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, with James singing: “Now I ain’t George and she ain’t Tammy/ I ain’t Porter and she ain’t Dolly.”
James recorded Going Back To Nashville with Sydney producer Matt Druery and engineer Dan Willington (who also provided the guitar and bass), with James’ long-time compadre John Watson on drums
The song is like James Reyne’s Lonely Planet guide to Nashville, “where Wynonna’s buffalo roam” and “if it ain’t the heat, it’s the humidity”.
“This song is how I see Nashville,” James says.
And there’s even a nod to the man who gave him that initial tour.
“Shout out to Tony Joe, who knew I had to go.”
Going Back To Nashville is out now on Reckless Records. Download/stream here.
Going Back To Nashville is the latest single for ARIA Hall of Famer James Reyne, who has had 19 Top 40 singles – including six Top 10 hits – and 11 Top 10 albums. His songs have provided the soundtrack to endless Australian summers. As the late, legendary music critic Ed Nimmervoll noted, “His voice is as familiar to us as the taste of Vegemite, as essentially Australian.”
James Reyne – Tour Dates
Friday June 6 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta, QLD
Saturday June 7- Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta, QLD
Saturday June 21- The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD – with Alex Lloyd
Saturday July 5 – State Theatre, Sydney, NSW – with Alex Lloyd
Saturday July 12 – The Palais, Melbourne, Vic – with Alex Lloyd
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