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Country music fans are buzzing about the latest release from HIXTAPE Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE: a fresh take on Joe Diffie’s beloved hit, “John Deere Green,” featuring HARDY and Morgan Wallen. Released on November 9, 2023, under Big Loud Records and Mercury Records, this track, produced by Joey Moi, is already making waves. Penned by the talented Dennis Linde, this reimagined classic is part of an album dedicated to celebrating Joe Diffie’s legacy. Let’s delve into the story behind this exciting collaboration and the enduring charm of “John Deere Green.”
A Nostalgic Nod to Joe Diffie on DIFFTAPE
Following their electrifying performance at the 2023 CMA Awards alongside Post Malone, HARDY and Morgan Wallen surprised fans with two new releases. “John Deere Green” is the second of these, joining “Pick-Up Man” (with Post Malone) on the highly anticipated HIXTAPE Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE, set to release on March 29, 2024. This album is a heartfelt tribute to the iconic Joe Diffie, featuring collaborative renditions of his greatest hits, all incorporating Diffie’s original vocals from his 2006 Greatest Hits recordings.
For HARDY, the mastermind behind the HIXTAPE series, this project is particularly meaningful. It marks a full-circle moment, recalling his earlier collaboration with Joe Diffie on “Redneck Tendencies” from HIXTAPE Vol. 1. While “Pick-Up Man” grabbed headlines due to Post Malone’s unexpected feature, “John Deere Green” has quickly resonated with HIXTAPE enthusiasts.
This song perfectly embodies the fun-loving spirit of the HIXTAPE series, delivering a feel-good, down-to-earth love story wrapped in a country anthem. Originally featured on Joe Diffie’s 1993 album Honky Tonk Attitude, “John Deere Green” climbed to No. 5 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and No. 69 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, proving its lasting appeal.
The Sound of “John Deere Green” 2023: Classic Twang Meets Modern Energy
This 2023 version of “John Deere Green” honors the original’s spirit while injecting a contemporary energy. Producer Joey Moi maintains the song’s signature twang and relaxed vibe, keeping the production polished and engaging. The vibrant electric guitar remains prominent, creating a funky and energizing backdrop for the vocal interplay between Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Joe Diffie.
Morgan Wallen takes the lead, opening the song with his distinctive voice. HARDY steps in for the second verse, adding his signature grit, and Joe Diffie’s unmistakable vocals are skillfully woven throughout, creating a seamless blend of past and present country music.
Unpacking the Heartfelt Lyrics of “John Deere Green”
“They were farm kids way down in Dixie, They met in high school in the sixties, Everyone knew it was love from the start, One July in the midnight hour, He climbed up on the water tower, Stood on the rail and painted a ten foot heart”
Morgan Wallen’s opening lines paint a picture of young love blooming in the rural South during the 1960s. We’re introduced to two “farm kids” whose love story begins in high school. The lyrics set a nostalgic, timeless scene, culminating in a romantic gesture: the young man’s midnight climb to the water tower to declare his love with a ten-foot heart.
“In John Deere green, on a hot summer night, He wrote “Billy Bob loves Charlene” in letters three foot high, And the whole town said that he should’ve used red, But it looked good to Charlene, In John Deere green”
Here’s the iconic chorus, emphasizing the unique twist in this love story. Instead of traditional red, the young man, later revealed to be Billy Bob, chooses “John Deere green” to express his affection for Charlene. This unexpected color choice, referencing the famous tractor brand, draws humorous criticism from the town. However, the most important opinion is Charlene’s, and she appreciates the gesture, finding the green heart “good.” This detail adds a charming, rural authenticity to the romantic tale.
“They settled down on eighty acres, Raising sweet corn, kids and tomatoes, They went together like a hand and a glove (Yes they did), On a clear day, from their front yard, If you look and know what to look for, Off to the east you can still read his words of love”
The second verse fast-forwards to Billy Bob and Charlene’s married life. HARDY sings of their settled life on eighty acres, filled with farming, family, and a deep connection symbolized by the simile “like a hand and a glove.” Joe Diffie’s interjection adds a layer of heartwarming nostalgia, revealing that Billy Bob’s green declaration is still visible on the water tower, a lasting testament to their love, viewable from their own front yard on a clear day.
“Now more than once the town has discovered, Painting over it ain’t no use, There ain’t no paint in the world that’ll cover it, The heart keeps showing through”
The final verse, sung by HARDY and Joe Diffie, brings the story to the present day. It highlights the enduring nature of Billy Bob’s romantic act. Despite attempts to paint over it, the “John Deere green” heart stubbornly reappears, symbolizing the indelible and timeless nature of true love. The heart’s persistence becomes a metaphor for the lasting impact of genuine affection.
Artists’ Perspectives on “John Deere Green” and Joe Diffie’s Legacy
The Diffie estate expressed their enthusiasm for this project, stating, “The Diffie Estate is thrilled to partner with Big Loud and HARDY in preserving and revitalizing Joe Diffie’s musical legacy… this collaboration promises to carry on the incredible journey of a true legend.”
HARDY himself emphasized the significance of DIFFTAPE as a tribute to Joe Diffie: “I’m super excited about DIFFTAPE. I think it’s a one-of-a-kind project and we’re the first people to do something like this. Especially having the original recordings and the fact that we have his family’s blessing to do it, it’s all really special. Joe epitomized the ’90s country voice – he was so good about hearing and cutting hits, recording amazing songs.”
He also shared a personal anecdote about Joe Diffie’s kindness early in his career: “On a personal level, I only got to meet Joe once, but he was extremely nice to me, and this was in my first year of being an artist when I was an absolute nobody. He was so, so kind to me and that memory I have of him is truly special to me, too.”
Full Lyrics to HIXTAPE, Joe Diffie, HARDY & Morgan Wallen’s ‘John Deere Green’
“They were farm kids way down in Dixie
They met in high school in the sixties
Everyone knew it was love from the start
One July in the midnight hour
He climbed up on the water tower
Stood on the rail and painted a ten foot heart
In John Deere green, on a hot summer night
He wrote “Billy Bob loves Charlene” in letters three foot high
And the whole town said that he should’ve used red
But it looked good to Charlene
In John Deere green
They settled down on eighty acres
Raising sweet corn, kids and tomatoes
They went together like a hand and a glove (Yes they did)
On a clear day, from their front yard
If you look and know what to look for
Off to the east you can still read his words of love
In John Deere green, on a hot summer night
He wrote “Billy Bob loves Charlene” in letters three foot high
And the whole town said the boy should’ve used red
But it looked good to Charlene
In John Deere green
Now more than once the town has discovered
Painting over it ain’t no use
There ain’t no paint in the world that’ll cover it
The heart keeps showing through
In John Deere green, on a hot summer night
He wrote “Billy Bob loves Charlene” in letters three foot high
And the whole town said the fool should’ve used red
But it looked good to Charlene
In John Deere green
Ah, paint it green boy
In John Deere green, on a hot summer night
He wrote “Billy Bob loves Charlene” in letters three foot high
And the whole town said the boy should’ve used red
But it looked good to Charlene
In John Deere green
Oh, take us home, Joe Diffie!
John Deere green”
For more on HIXTAPE and DIFFTAPE, stay tuned to johnchen.net for updates and reviews.
Author – HardyHardy Artist
Author – Morgan WallenMorgan Wallen Artist
HIXTAPE Artist
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