The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I was up in New York City,
Just the other week.
You shoulda seen the waitress face
When I ordered sweet tea.
She said "we don't have that here"
And I apologized, I said "Please forgive me,
I'm in a southern state of mind."
And those girls out in California,
They don't understand.
They don't like it when I hold the door,
When I say yes ma'am.
They act like I've done something wrong,
And they give me the evil eye.
I say "honey, I'm sorry,
I'm in a southern state of mind."
I could be anywhere
In my heart I'm always there.
Where they drink sweet tea
And they raise you to be polite.
No changin' who I am,
That's they way I've always been.
No matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
I'm always walkin' 'round
Tellin' everybody hi.
Justa wavin' at the strangers
And the cars passin' by.
Some people may look at me
And say that boy just ain't right.
Hey y'all I ain't crazy,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
I could be anywhere
In my heart I'm always there.
Where you know every body and if you don't your still polite.
No changin' who I am, that's they way I've always been.
No matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
You can see it in the clothes I wear,
You can hear it when I talk.
Ball cap boots and jeans and a little southern draw.
I can be up in Ohio or back home in Caroline.
No matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
Don't matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
Yeah, alright.
Southern state of mind.
Come on, come on.
Oh oh.
Just the other week.
You shoulda seen the waitress face
When I ordered sweet tea.
She said "we don't have that here"
And I apologized, I said "Please forgive me,
I'm in a southern state of mind."
And those girls out in California,
They don't understand.
They don't like it when I hold the door,
When I say yes ma'am.
They act like I've done something wrong,
And they give me the evil eye.
I say "honey, I'm sorry,
I'm in a southern state of mind."
I could be anywhere
In my heart I'm always there.
Where they drink sweet tea
And they raise you to be polite.
No changin' who I am,
That's they way I've always been.
No matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
I'm always walkin' 'round
Tellin' everybody hi.
Justa wavin' at the strangers
And the cars passin' by.
Some people may look at me
And say that boy just ain't right.
Hey y'all I ain't crazy,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
I could be anywhere
In my heart I'm always there.
Where you know every body and if you don't your still polite.
No changin' who I am, that's they way I've always been.
No matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
You can see it in the clothes I wear,
You can hear it when I talk.
Ball cap boots and jeans and a little southern draw.
I can be up in Ohio or back home in Caroline.
No matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
Don't matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.
Yeah, alright.
Southern state of mind.
Come on, come on.
Oh oh.
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