Lil Nas X may not be a huge Country music fan, but his spotlight in 2019 comes from the global hit “Old Town Road” from his upcoming debut studio album. So it comes as a surprise when the track got a remix from the Country music veteran Billy Ray Cyrus.
“Old Town Road” original broke out big with some help from the popular vine app TikTok. Lil Nas X released a music video for the original with footage from Red Dead Redemption video game, which is also loosely set in a Country setting. The song made it on to Billboard’s Country music chart and then was removed reason quoting “not (embracing) enough elements of today’s country music to chart in its current version…” Lil Nas X spoke about the removal from the Billboard Country chart with Genius.com: “Then it felt amazing to get support from country stars because it’s like this is their lane. It’s like you’re getting respect from people who’ve been doing this for some time. This is my first time dabbling into anything country influenced.” However, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This controversy paved the way to the collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus, a veteran Country music star. With his new verse, can the “Old Town Road (Remix)” enter Country music charts?
Billy Ray Cyrus voiced his allegiance with Lil Nas X on social media, and how he could relate to this song having witnessed an ‘Old Town’ road in Argillite, Kentucky.
Listen to “Old Town Road (Remix)” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
In this remix, Billy Ray Cyrus kicks off the song with the refrain from the original version. Then he adds a third verse to the original lyrics. In his verse, Billy talks about how he has moved towns since he embraced his celebrity status. He grew up in Kentucky and now lives in California. The city is known for its ‘rockstar’ life styled celebrities with drugs, sex and booze.
Billy Ray Cyrus probably has to spend a lot more on his guitars than an average guitar player. Billy Cyrus is left handed and made-to-order guitars for left-handed people can cost a few grand more than an ordinary guitar.
‘Baby’ could be a reference to Tish Cyrus (mother of Miley Cyrus), who also appears in the above snippet, where she helps on the “Old Town Road” remix with a tambourine. Tish Cyrus may have luxury tastes. As per Billy, she prefers the Fendi brand which is a luxury fashion brand. A Fendi sports bra, referenced in the song, ranges from $200 to $500 on average.
Billy Ray Cyrus snaps two world together when he says he enjoys “Ridin’ down Rodeo in my Maserati sports car.” ‘Rodeo’ is a reference to the sport/activity of riding horses, which befits the theme of the song. However, ‘Rodeo Drive’ a stretch of road in California with luxury stores. Hence, eventhough Billy is alluding to his past as a Country man, his current lifestyle has him on a different atmosphere.
Malboro is a popular cigarette brand which used a man riding a horse and smoking a cigarette as their advertising mascot.
“Old Town Road” has somewhat of a nostalgic effect on Billy Ray Cyrus as he dictates in the above snippet video. So, it is no surprise that he wanted to be a part of this massive cultural phenomenon.
What do you think about this remix of “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X? Better than the original? Let us know in the comments below.
Complete Lyrics “Old Town Road” Remix by Lil Nas X Ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
