Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Feel the Country Breeze on Rodney Atkins’ “Take A Back Road”

Rodney Atkins' "Take A Back Road"
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Once in a while in life, taking the back road does the trick. Rodney Atkins’s “Take a Back Road” is a song that remembers the excitement of escaping from the uproar of day-to-day life, really savoring that moment and clearing up with your mind and body. 

It is a song composed by Rhett Akins and Luke Laird. Rhett Akins drafted the single’s title when his friend mentioned that he “wants to ride a dirt road this instant” after listening to a Hank Williams Jr. album. Then, Laird thought of a tune and drum loop. They replaced the line to “take a back road” and produced it in a rhythmic phrasing. 

“Take A Back Road” is about getting away from the city and active life to experience life in rural areas and enjoy things with your loved ones or friends – long car trips and just having fun. The single was bound to be the vacation song of the year with its bright, fun lyrics and matching guitar strum. Something you like to simply play because of its windows-down, carefree summer mood. It’s like traveling to an unfamiliar place because when you do that, you end up witnessing things that none has sighted before. Which implies you can express the view creatively. 

The title track has climbed the charts faster than any single he has recorded. Among Rodney Atkins’ songs, with “Take A Back Road,” he attained the fourth-largest crowds at country radio since 2005. The song got the #1 spot on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in October 2011 and placed 3rd on the 2011 year-end ranking of the said chart. 

Let’s travel together by listening to Rodney Atkins‘ “Take A Back Road” below.

Latest Stories

Dolly Parton appears with American Airlines Flight 925 after her passing, as the airline honors the country legend with the 9 to 5 number.

American Airlines Is Renumbering a Nashville Flight to 925 in Honor of Dolly Parton

You could fly it a hundred times and never notice. That is probably the point. Starting March 28, 2027, one of American Airlines’ daily flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Nashville ...

Dolly Parton is shown at Dollywood after her passing, as her heartfelt wish was that the park keep going and the show must go on.

Dolly Parton’s Heartfelt Wish Was That Dollywood Keep Going and the Show Must Go On

The park was already dark the day she died. Dollywood had been scheduled to close Tuesday, August 25, long before anyone knew it would become the day Dolly Parton passed ...

Country music icon Dolly Parton, who passed away at 80, performing with her signature blonde hair and bright smile.

Dolly Parton Has Died at 80, and the Whole World Is Mourning the Queen of Country

Her nephew stood in front of a camera and did the hardest thing anyone in that family has ever had to do. Bryan Seaver, the son of Cassie Parton, spoke ...

Hayden Panettiere poses at an event in a black outfit as the coroner confirms her cause of death remains under investigation.

Coroner Says Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death Remains Pending After Autopsy

Hayden Panettiere’s official cause of death has not been determined. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy was completed the day after she was found unresponsive. The examination showed ...

Ella Langley poses in a white embroidered dress at the doorway of her tour bus during the Choosin Texas chart run.

Choosin’ Texas Is Still No. 1 on Billboard After 18 Weeks as Ella Langley Closes In on History

The song that started with a kangaroo story is still sitting at the top of the biggest chart in music. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” held No. 1 on the Billboard ...

Hayden Panettiere, beloved actress who starred as Juliette Barnes on the hit country music drama “Nashville,” has died at 36.

Hayden Panettiere Has Died at 36 and Country Music Lost the Woman Behind Juliette Barnes

She played a country star for six seasons. What most people forget is that she actually became one. Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36. Her father, Skip ...

Ella Langley and Taylor Swift as Langley breaks Swift’s Billboard record with “Choosin’ Texas.”

Ella Langley Broke Taylor Swift’s Billboard Record and Has Now Held It Five Times Longer

Taylor Swift set the record in 2012 and held onto it for 13 years. Ella Langley didn’t just break it. She lapped it. “Choosin’ Texas” ruled the Billboard Hot 100 ...

Jon Pardi, wife Summer, and their two daughters together, before the couple's divorce announcement.

Jon Pardi and His Wife, Summer, Are Divorcing After Nearly Six Years and Two Daughters Together

One of country music’s most grounded couples is calling it quits. Jon Pardi and his wife, Summer, announced their divorce, confirming they’ve decided to part ways after nearly six years ...

Clint Black on stage, before the hospitalization that forced him to cancel his July 3 show.

Clint Black Canceled His July 3 Concert After Being Hospitalized, but He’s Expected to Fully Recover

The good news comes first. Clint Black is going to be just fine. The country icon was forced to cancel his July 3 appearance at Pearl River Resort Casino in ...

An emotional Rhett Akins on the Opry stage, finally getting his membership invitation.

Rhett Akins Finally Got His Grand Ole Opry Invitation After 30 Years and Could Barely Find the Words

A man who has written over 30 No. 1 hits for a living stood on the Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday night and couldn’t think of a single word to ...